Article summary: We are so excited to announce the shortlist for our Apprentice & Employer of the Year Awards 2026! Congratulations to all the nominees!
We’re thrilled to announce the shortlist for this year’s #AZAwards2026. We received an exceptional number of submissions, and after plenty of thoughtful back‑and‑forth and careful deliberation, our shortlist is finally here. It’s been inspiring to see the talent, creativity, and sheer hard work of all nominees.
The winners will be crowned at our prestigious awards ceremony on Friday 19th June at Portsmouth Guildhall, where we’ll come together to celebrate the incredible achievements of apprentices and employers who are making a real impact.
For more information on the event and our sponsorship packages, click here.
Apprentice Awards
Best in ICT
- Daniel Urbankiewicz - WeAreCortex
- Luke Griffiths - Drift IT Services
- Harvey Newman - Zinq IT
- Seyni Ndoye - Portsmouth Aviation
- James Cuthbert - Interpro Technology Solutions
Best in Engineering - (Operative, Welder, Machinist and Technician)
- Gonzalos Bartayres - Harwin
- Joshua Henvest - Dynamic Load Monitoring
- Kieren Marshall - The West Group
- Ronan O'Callaghan - Insensys
- Samuel Roxburgh - Harwin
Best in Engineering - (Fitter & MOET)
- Pete Van Der Westhuizen - CooperVision
- Lewis Swash - Ourvita (Laleham Health & Beauty)
- Matilda Tucker - Parker Meggitt
- Nathaniel Klogo - Safran Helicopter Engines UK
- Muhib Rahim - Thales
Best in Business
- Megan Wells - Cheeky Rascals
- Kieran-Lee Gascoigne - Elliotts
- Oli Green - Destin Chandler Hawkins Charter Surveyors
- Rebecca Kivlin - Peak Retreats
- Erin Marsh - SMR Automotive Mirrors UK
Best in Finance
- Karin Kircher - Pompey in the Community
- Laura Citi - Pompey in the Community
- James Lawson - Mipa Paints
- Megan Upson - MetOcean Telematics UK
- Thomas Spencer - Alliott Wingham
Best in Leadership Management
- Paula Felicio - SI Protech (UK) Ltd
- Deniss Senkovs - SI Protech (UK) Ltd
- Connor Cooper- Runfold Plastics
- Sarah Fury - Drift IT Services
Best in Team Leader Management
- Ellen Kirkpatrick - Medical PA Ltd
- Brad Richards - SMR Automotive Mirrors UK
- Samuel Owen - Runfold Plastics
- Michael Stobbs - SMR Automotive Mirrors UK
- Chris Tweed - Tesla Engineering
Best First Year (BRAND NEW FOR 2026)
- Emily Gunn - Drift IT Services
- Justinas Svirskys - Natures Way Foods
- Christopher Johnson - Parker Meggitt
- Sophie Auld - A J Wheeler
Employer Awards:
Best Apprentice Employer (Corporate)
- Iglu
- South Western Railway
- Ourvita (Laleham Health & Beauty)
- Huhtamaki
- Safran Helicopter Engines UK
- CooperVision
- SMR Automotive Mirrors UK
- Portsmouth Water
- Parker Meggitt
Best Apprentice Employer (SME)
- Zinq IT
- Runfold Plastics
- Langstone Engineering
- Carbon 60
- SI Protech (UK) Ltd
- Mipa Paints
- Biscoes Solicitors
- Drift IT Services
- The West Group
- Pompey in the Community
Rising Star
- Harvey Newman - Zinq IT
- Raul Potolinca - Ourvita (Laleham Health & Beauty)
- Maria (Lola) Miralles-Peraire - Estee Lauder Companies
- Abigail Hemming - DP World
- Deniss Senkovs - SI Protech (UK) Ltd
- Cameron Moore - Mipa Paints
- Chloe Freshney - Biscoes Solicitors
- Sharon Clark - Huhtamaki
- Archie West - Safran Helicopter Engines UK
- Laura Bradley - Portsmouth Water
Mentor of the Year
- Charlotte Oake - Hampshire Generators
- Tracey Stokes - Cheeky Rascals
- Anthony Morley - Zinq IT
- Scott Burgess - Runfold Plastics
- Richard Fry - Ourvita (Laleham Health & Beauty)
- Stephen Scott - Carbon 60
- Holly Griffin - Biscoes Solicitors
- Sarah Fury - Drift IT Services
- Mark Gest - Safran Helicopter Engines UK
- Mark Jackson - CooperVision
- Steve Watson - PEI Genesis
PETA Awards
PETA Trainer of the Year
- Emma Quance - Management & Digital
- Saurabh Modi - Engineering
- Anand Modi - Engineering
- Stephen Wisemen - Engineering
PETA L&D Coach of the Year
- Lily Thurling - Management & Digital
- Sue Harrison - Management & Digital
- Elaine Kling-Moger - Management & Digital