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ABOUT OUR AWARDS
- The 2026 Performance Awards Scheme looks to build upon the successful schemes of recent years with nine categories in 2026; three ‘Team’ and six ‘Excellence’. The on-going changes faced by the profession are reflected in the criteria for each category.
- Entries are welcomed from organisations in both the public and private sector and from those involved in teams closely related to the Institutes sphere of interest. This includes organisations that are working together in partnership.
- All submissions will need to be submitted through the Awards portal using the 'Start Application' button at the top right of this page. The closing date for entries is 5pm Tuesday 26 May 2026. Unlike award schemes run by other organisations, there are no plans for this deadline to be extended.
- Once the short-listing process has taken place, the list of finalists will be released in week commencing 8 June 2026.
- A key element of the IRRV awards has always been the inspection process. This year, the inspection process will again be conducted virtually in July and August. Finalists will facilitate the inspection and will invite the Inspection Team.
- Inspection Teams will then produce a report for the Awards Panel who will select a winner in each category. In addition, they may also decide to recognise other finalists as being ‘Highly Commended’.
- The virtual awards village will be released in September. This will be held on the IRRV web site and include a summary of the submissions from each finalist. Details of awards schemes from previous years can be found on the IRRV web site.
- The Performance Awards Gala Dinner (when the winners in each category will be announced and trophies presented) is to be held during the IRRV Annual Conference on Wednesday 30 September 2026. Organisations selected as a finalist will receive one complimentary place to attend the Annual Conference (including the Gala Dinner). An organisation short-listed in more than one category, will receive a further complimentary place, for each additional category.
CRITERIA
Local Taxation and / or Revenues Team of the Year
This award specifically relates to the team and its members. How it has maintained and continually improved service standards resulting in high levels of performance, customer satisfaction and effective administrative procedures in Local Taxation and / or Revenues. The submission should provide a clear explanation of achievements, by whom and how it compares to other organisations.
Benefits and / or Welfare Reform Team of the Year
This award specifically relates to the team and its members. How it has maintained and continually improved service standards resulting in high levels of performance, customer satisfaction and effective administrative procedures in Benefits and / or Welfare Reform. The submission should provide a clear explanation of achievements, by whom and how it compares to other organisations.
Most Improved Team of the Year
This award specifically relates to the team, its members and how it has improved over a defined period. It can be a matter of comparing itself to its own previous performance, or to other organisations. It should demonstrate improved service standards resulting in high levels of performance, customer satisfaction and effective administrative procedures. The submission should provide a clear explanation of achievements, by whom and how it compares to other organisations.
Excellence in Education and / or Staff Development
This award specifically recognises organisations that can show outstanding achievements in developing and delivering impactful training programmes for staff. The submission should provide a clear explanation of achievements, by whom and how it compares to other organisations.
Excellence in Innovation
This award specifically relates to organisations who can demonstrate they have been innovative in implementing projects, products, or procedures. This could be based on information technology, service delivery, or working practices, which have been adopted and implemented within the organisation. The submission should provide a clear explanation of the innovation and how it relates to the activity being delivered.
Excellence in Partnership Working
This award specifically relates to organisations who are able to demonstrate they have entered into a partnership that has enhanced the level of service provided and achieved measurable savings. Partnerships can be either private or public sector or a combination of both. There will need to be evidence of why the partnership was implemented and how it has since developed. The submission should provide a clear explanation of achievements, by whom and how it compares to other organisations.
Excellence in Protecting the Public Purse
This award specifically relates to organisations who are able to demonstrate they have entered into a partnership that has enhanced the level of service provided and achieved measurable savings. Partnerships can be either private or public sector or a combination of both. There will need to be evidence of why the partnership was implemented and how it has since developed. The submission should provide a clear explanation of achievements, by whom and how it compares to other organisations.
Excellence in Rating, Valuation and Property Advisory Services
This award specifically relates to organisations who are able to demonstrate they have entered into a partnership that has enhanced the level of service provided and achieved measurable savings. Partnerships can be either private or public sector or a combination of both. There will need to be evidence of why the partnership was implemented and how it has since developed. The submission should provide a clear explanation of achievements, by whom and how it compares to other organisations.
Excellence in Social Inclusion
This award specifically relates to organisations that have excelled in social inclusion. There will need to be evidence of leading-edge approaches to the delivery of social inclusion policies, which have improved the life of those experiencing the impact of poverty and deprivation whilst reflecting on the current challenges facing communities. The submission should provide a clear explanation of achievements, by whom and how it compares to other organisations.
START YOUR SUBMISSION
To start your submission, please use the 'Start Application' button at the top right of this page.
CONDITIONS
All submissions must be submitted through the Awards Portal by 5.00pm on Tuesday 26 May 2025.
(Note: There are no plans for this closing date to be extended)
The title provided in the submission can not be changed after submission is submitted.
(Note: Ensure you include any/all names as part of the submission title)
A submission must not exceed 750 words.
(Note: Submissions in excess of 750 words will be rejected)
On receipt of a submission, an acknowledgement email will be sent within 48 hours.
(Note: If not received, the Performance Awards Co-ordinator should be notified)
Additional documentation should not be provided to support the submission.
(Note: The short-listing exercise will be based on the submission alone)
An organisation is entitled to submit an entry in more than one category.
(Note: A separate submission should be made for each category)
The Awards Panel may decide to split a category into one or more categories.
(Note: This will only happen, if entries within a category are so diverse)
The Awards Panel reserves the right to consider a submission in another category.
(Note: This will only take place with agreement of the organisation)
INSPECTIONS
Inspections will be conducted virtually and facilitated by the organisation.
An organisation short-listed in more than one category will have a separate inspection for each category.
Virtual Inspections in any one category will not last more than 1½ hours.
A short-listed organisation will be expected to make a presentation of no more than 45 minutes and should allow 45 minutes for any questions from the Inspection Team.
An Inspection Team would welcome the opportunity to meet with those that have contributed to the organisations achievement.
Additional documentation can be provided by the organisation prior to, during or after their inspection, to support their submission.
Following the virtual inspection, an inspection team will produce a comprehensive report, that is then submitted to the Awards Panel, who ultimately take the final decisions in each category.
A short-listed organisation will be entitled to request feedback on their submission(s).
Note: A short webinar will be recorded and sent to all short-listed organisations once the finalists have been announced. This will offer advice and guidance on how to prepare for and run a virtual inspection.
KEY DATES
5.00pm on Tuesday 26 May 2026
Closing time and date for submissions
Week Commencing 8 June 2026
Finalists announced
July and August 2026
Virtual inspections
Wednesday 30th September 2026
Performance Awards Gala Dinner
AWARDS PANEL
David Magor OBE IRRV (Hons) FIAAO
Chair of the IRRV Performance Awards Panel, former Chief Executive of the IRRV and a Past President of the IRRV
Allan Clark FIRRV MSc MCMI
President of the IRRV
Zoe Kent IRRV (Hons)
Senior Vice President of the IRRV
Simon Green MRICS IRRV (Hons)
Immediate Past President of the IRRV
Alistair Townsend FIRRV CMgr MCMI
IRRV Portfolio Holder for Commercial Services and a Past President of the IRRV
Richard Harbord M.Phil CPFA FCCA IRRV (Hons) FCMI FMIS MIMC FRSA
Chair of IRRV Policy & Resources Committee and a Past President of the IRRV
Gary Watson IRRV (Hons)
Chief Executive of the IRRV and a Past President of the IRRV
Awards Night Host
This years host is Susie McCabe
Susie McCabe took her first steps into comedy as part of a drunken dare. After a career working in the construction industry, she has cemented herself as one of the rising stars of the UK stand-up scene and has appeared on Have I Got News for You, and Frankie Boyle’s New World Order.
Susie is one of the fastest selling acts at the Glasgow international comedy festival, with multiple Scottish comedy awards under her belt for Best Headliner and Best Show which she received for her Solo show Domestic Disaster. She also took it to Edinburgh Fringe for a sold-out run.
She has supported Frankie Boyle and Jason Manford on tour. When she supported Kevin Bridges he described Susie as "A naturally funny storyteller and a genuine stand up.
Awards Night Band
MadHen band returns for 2026
Get your dancing shoes ready... IRRV is delighted to announce that MadHen Band will be returning to Telford to help with the celebrations at the IRRV Performance Awards 2026.
With Madhen, you can look forward to a performance that will get everyone dancing from the start to the end, and be talked about for years to come. True professionals with big party energy and brilliant stage presence, a party ain’t a party until Madhen gets on stage. Ready to be blown away? Visit madhen.net for further details.
CONTACT DETAILS
All enquiries on the Performance Awards should be addressed to the Performance Awards Co-ordinator, Vicki Chastney; her contact details are:-
Address:
167-169 Great Portland Street,
5th Floor,
London,
W1W 5PF
Telephone:
0207 691 8979
E-Mail:
awards@irrv.org.uk