Meet the Judges: the experts behind The MJ Awards
The MJ Awards are independently judged by a panel of highly respected leaders from across local government and the wider public sector.
Each category is assessed by judges with deep, relevant expertise — ensuring every submission is reviewed fairly, rigorously and with a clear understanding of the challenges and impact of public service delivery.
Our judges bring together experience from councils, arm’s-length bodies, partner organisations and the private sector, offering a balanced and informed perspective across all award categories.
Category judges
Abi Gbago, interim Chief Operating Officer, Westminster City Council
Anita Brown, APSE National Secretary, Stockton Borough Council
Barry Pirie, PPMA Sponsorship Manager
Beverley Hendricks, Executive Director for Children, Lifelong Learning and Families
Chris Barrow, Senior Consultant, Tile Hill
Chris Meardon, Local Government Sales Director, Oracle
Claire Hogan, Executive Director for Transformation & Improvement, Warrington City Council
Cllr Tracey Dixon, APSE National Chair, South Tyneside Council
Dawar Hashmi, Penna
Dawn Carter McDonald, Chief Executive, London Borough of Hackney
Emma Foy, LG Industry Lead Local Government, TechnologyOne
Frazer Thouard, Head of the Local Government Practice, GatenbySanderson
Geoff Tucker, Group Business Development Director, Norse Group
Gerald Almeroth, Executive Director of Finance and Resources, Westminster City Council
Gordon McFarlane, PPMA Past President & Director of HR & OD at London Borough of Newham
Heather Sandy, Executive Director of Children's Services, Lincolnshire County Council
Holly Bateson, Business Support Manager, Roretti
Ian Davis, Chief Executive, London Borough of Lambeth
Ian O’Donnell, Resource Director and s151, Slough Council
Jake bacchus, Resource director and s151, Hounslow Council
Jes Ladva, Managing Partner, Odgers Interim
Jillian Kay, Chief Executive, Southampton City Council
Joanne Roney, Birmingham City Council, Chief Executive
Johnathan Williamson, General Manager Technical Platform, TechnologyOne
Jonathan Werren, CEO Localis
Julie Biggs, PPMA Talent Programmes and Awards Manager
Julie Nugent, Coventry City Council, Chief Executive
Kim Wright, Chief Executive, London Borough of Brent
Kim Wright, London Borough of Brent, Chief Executive
Leatham Green, Senior Director, Oracle
Lindsay Airey, APSE, Head of Business Resources
Louise Marix Evans, Director, Quantum Strategy & Technology
Malcolm Allan, HCM Sales Director, Oracle
Mark Barrow, Interim Director of Place, East Devon District Council
Mark Davies, Chief Executive, Lancaster City Council
Maud Hollis, Senior Consultant, Tile Hill
Maxine Holdsworth, Chief Executive, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Melanie Williams, Executive Director of People Services (DASS), West Northamptonshire Council
Michael Cullen, Chief Executive, Stockport MBC
Mike Gildersleeves, Deputy Chief Executive, Huntingdonshire Council
Mike Greene, Chief Executive, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council
Mo Baines, APSE, Chief Executive Officer
Nadira Hussain, CEO, SOCITM
Natasha Brown, PPMA Vice President
Owen Mapley, Chief Executive, Cipfa
Pam Parkes, Commissioner to Birmingham City Council, PPMA President
Paul Sesay, CEO Inclusive Companies
Purmina Sherwood, deputy s151, Warwickshire Council
Richard Ennis, Director of Finance, Lampton Group
Richard Gawthorpe, Group Business Development Director, Norse Group
Ritika Wadhwa, CEO & Founder, Prabhaav Global
Robert South, Strategic Director Children’s Services, London Borough of Ealing
Sandra Farquharson, PPMA President Elect, Director of HR & Organisational Development at London Borough of Hackney
Sanjay Mackintosh, Managing Director, Roretti
Sarah Nardone, Corporate Director for Children's and Education Services, Nottingham City Council
Sarah Scott, Executive Director of Adult Social Care, Wellbeing and Communities, Gloucestershire County Council
Shokat Lal, Chief Executive, Sandwell Council
Simon Ray, Chief Executive, Hampton’s Resourcing
Stephen Gabriel, Chief Executive, Tamworth Borough Council
Stephen Gabriel, Chief Executive, Tamworth District Council
Stephen Young, Chief Executive, Salford City Council
Steve Davies, PPMA Treasurer & Secretary
Theresa Grant, Chief Executive and LG advisor
Tom McCabe, Norfolk County Council, Chief Executive
Tom Stannard, Chief Executive, Manchester City Council
Victoria Lawson, Islington Borough Council, Chief Executive
Zena Cooke, Corporate Director Finance, Lambeth Borough Council