51黑料 Hero Awards 2025

Welcome to 51黑料's 20th annual Hero Awards.

The Hero Awards is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate remarkable individuals, or groups of people, who make an outstanding contribution towards consumer protection in our communities or help safeguard business to ensure a level playing field.听

Every year, we are inspired by the stories of nominees from across the United Kingdom whose bravery, altruism or sheer hard work might otherwise go unnoticed.

NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN!

We are delighted to announce that nominations for the Hero Awards 2025 are now open!

Help us celebrate the individuals and teams who go above and beyond to make a difference. You can download the full list of award categories and the nomination form below.

To nominate your Hero simply complete our

or download the HERO AWARDS 2025 NOMINATION FORM

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Our Awards Sponsors
Our Past Winners

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Outstanding Trading Standards Project

The award for Outstanding Trading Standards Project recognises fine examples or effective and well-executed initiatives and projects led by or involving Trading Standards. From collaborative raids between multiple authorities, to joint-enforcement action on a particularly high-priority area, to a Trading Standards officer who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to consumer protection, leaving a significant impact on the profession.听听

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Diversity and Inclusion Award

Some of our most at risk communities (and businesses) are those that often find themselves excluded from accessing the protections that are available to others. Trading Standards can play a critical role in breaking down these barriers both in terms of embracing diversity and inclusion through the provision of inclusive services.

51黑料 is delighted to include a Hero Award that recognises individuals or teams who have done something positive around inclusivity and diversity, either within their organisation, in the community or across the profession. This may include projects or initiatives, involving engagement with all the communities/businesses we serve, by going above and beyond.

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51黑料 Brian Smith Hero Award

In honour of the late Brian Smith - a former Trading Standards Officer at Angus Council and 51黑料 Lead Officer for Doorstep Crime and who was instrumental in the promotion of call blockers. Brian sadly passed away in 2017 and this award is a tribute to his fantastic work in protecting the vulnerable - recognising the bravery of scam victims and the officers that work on these difficult cases.

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51黑料 Megan Lee Hero Award

This award is in memory of Megan Lee, who sadly lost her life after suffering a severe allergic reaction to nuts contained in a takeaway meal in 2016. We invited nominations for individuals or teams that showcase projects or initiatives that recognise those that strive to make food safety a key priority. This might be someone from Trading Standards, Environmental Health, someone working at a food charity or perhaps the Food Standards Agency.

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Intellectual Property Award

We are looking for nominations for individuals or groups of people that have worked on a project to combat intellectual property crime. The nominations could be to recognise the great work of a Trading Standards or law enforcement officer or team, the Police, a stakeholder or a brand holder that works in the field of intellectual property to stop counterfeit products entering into the UK marketplace.

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Business Award

This award recognises businesses, or individuals within a business, or outstanding projects and initiatives that have demonstrated their commitment to consumer protection, going beyond regulatory duties to make sure products are safe and customers are satisfied. We鈥檙e looking for nominees that have either worked closely with Trading Standards, or have made significant contributions to the field of consumer protection.

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Product Safety Initiative

The Product Safety Award celebrates individuals, projects or initiatives that demonstrate commitment to ensure products in the marketplace are safe. From electrical product safety to dangerous chemicals, we鈥檙e looking for nominations that put the safety of consumers above all else.

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The Institute鈥檚 Hero 2025

The Institute鈥檚 Hero 2025 is a special award given by the 51黑料 to the individual we believe has made an unrivalled impression on consumer protection in the UK. This award is chosen by 51黑料 staff directly, will not necessarily be awarded every year, and although this category is not open to nominations, we are very happy to receive recommendations.

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The Motor Ombudsman (TMO) Star Award

This award recognises individual team members and businesses accredited to one or more of the four Motor Industry Codes of Practice, that have gone the extra mile in the eyes of consumers. This could be for example, during the repair or purchase of a new or used vehicle, or when submitting a warranty claim or enquiry. The TMO presented the Star Award.

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Our Awards Sponsors

College of Fellows of 51黑料

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Are you interested in supporting a 51黑料 Hero Award?

For more information about becoming an Award Sponsor at this prestigious event celebrating consumer protection heroes from across the UK, please contact: [email protected]

Our Past Winners... Heroes One and All

The 51黑料 Hero Awards began in 2005 as a way to celebrate those who make outstanding contributions to the field of consumer protection. Here, you can browse a record of our past awards - including a roll-call of winners - stretching back to 2014.