The Educators’ Trust

Award Winners 2026

This page is updated each year in late April following the company Awards Dinner at which they are presented.

At the awards dinner a winner of an Educatprs Trust award receives from the master a trophy and certificate at the awards dinner along with their cheque.

Winners in 2026 received their Awards on 24 April 2026 at a celebratory dinner in Merchant Taylors Hall.

Winners of the Trust’s awards programme 2026

IInspirational Educator Awards for outstanding educators in the field of Exercise & Sport Education (nominating organisation in brackets):

Kareem Brown (The Boxing Academy)

Jackson Gibbons (City of London MAT)

Ian Gregory (Chance to Shine)

Sue Lynch (British Horse Society – Changing Lives)

Ian Mills (Youth Sports Trust)

Eleanor Owen (Coach Core)

Craig Winrow (St Mary’s University)

Iain Williamson (Youth Sports Trust)

The Master Educator’s Award for outstanding school leadership:

James Freeston, CEO Aurora Academies Trust

The Mary Lou Carrington Award for a businesswoman who has made a significant contribution to education:

Cece Sammy Lightfoot, nominated by the Speakers for Schools Programme at ‘Future For All’

The Keith Hutton Legacy Award for Theatre and Performing Arts Education:

David Pickering, MBE, nominated by the Royal Opera House, Learning and Participation Department

The Robert J Jones Award for Environmental Education:

Maggie Kanska, nominated by the South London Botanical Institute

The Trust Award for Art & Design Education:

Dr Charley Peters, nominated by the City & Guilds of London Art School

Trustees welcomed these winners and nominators of the Trust’s awards programme 2026 to a reception and dinner to receive their trophies and certificates. These outstanding educationalists span a diverse range of subject disciplines and work environments. What unites them all is their innovative practice and their commitment to stimulating people of all ages to love learning.