Macmillan Professionals Excellence Awards

The Macmillan Professionals Excellence Awards are an opportunity to recognise the outstanding contribution Macmillan professionals make to cancer services.

About the awards

The winners of the Macmillan Professionals Excellence Awards come together for a group photo.

Our prestigious and independent awards highlight excellence across the UK and the impact of Macmillan professionals and teams who have gone above and beyond expectations to do whatever it takes to support people living with cancer.

The awards allow us to bring to life our unique spirit by showcasing not just what Macmillan professionals do, but how they do it – with heart, with strength, and with ambition.

Our award categories

The awards are presented in four categories:

Innovation Excellence

This category recognises individuals and teams who have introduced a new approach to services or project development and delivery. The initiative should demonstrate improved outcomes and experience for people living with cancer* and measurable improvements in the quality and effectiveness of services or project. 

Integration Excellence

This category recognises individuals and teams who have improved the coordination of services and specialities and enabled integration across settings such acute, primary, social and voluntary or through digital services, to provide a seamless experience for people living with cancer*.

Quality Improvement Excellence

This category recognises individuals and teams who have made significant improvements within an existing service offered to people living with cancer*.

Whatever It Takes

The Whatever It Takes award category aims to recognise individuals and teams that have truly gone the extra mile. The nominee should demonstrate values of heart, strength and ambition through compassion, kindness, and teamwork.

This category is for the ‘unsung heroes’ – individuals or teams who have demonstrated extraordinary efforts to adapt, collaborate, advocate for others, shown great resilience and lead with compassion.

*Where we refer to supporting people living with cancer, it is important to acknowledge that those professionals working in palliative and end of life care support anyone with a life limiting illness irrespective of whether they have a cancer diagnosis or not.

Why should I nominate?

There are many reasons to nominate a Macmillan Professional or team for an Excellence Award:

  • Gain industry-level recognition for an individual or team among their professional community, peers and the public.
  • Inspire others by highlighting best practice in your area which exceeds the high standards expected of Macmillan professionals.
  • Support future service development by helping your nominee to evaluate their impact.
  • Personal development opportunities for nominees, thanks to a rigorous judging process, which includes a live virtual presentation.
  • Receive credible feedback to help develop and further advance your nominee's practice.
  • Winners receive an award, including a certificate and PR opportunities.

2024 winners

Our 2024 winners were announced at the Macmillan Professionals Excellence Awards ceremony on Thursday 7 November. Hosted by comedian and TV writer, Steve Bugeja, the event welcomed 500 health and social care professionals.

Read a full list of our 2024 finalists and winners.

Being nominated for these highly competitive awards is a significant achievement, and we extend our congratulations to all winners, nominees, and finalists. Your dedication and hard work have set a remarkable standard this year, and you should be incredibly proud.

Get in touch

If you have any questions about the Macmillan Professionals Excellence Awards, please get in touch at macevents@macmillan.org.uk.