And the winners are…
There are few occasions when internal auditors get together to celebrate their own achievements and what the profession contributes to organisations and society. The Chartered IIA's annual Audit & Risk Awards is one such event, bringing together everyone on the awards shortlist, as well as those keen to share in the excitement of the evening and hear more about the latest developments across every sector of their professional community.
So who were the winners at this year’s event? In one sense, everyone who attended. This year’s event, which took place at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel in London on 19 June, was suitably inspirational. The energy and excitement in the room was palpable as the attendees waited to find out who had won, who had been highly commended and what the judges had to say about them.
In addition to the winners in the main awards categories, Sandro Boeri, President of the Chartered IIA, also announced that the Council had awarded the annual JJ Morris Award to David Hill CMIIA QIAL and Sara I James CIA for their services to internal audit. And the Global IIA’s Special Award went to Rebecca Elfes, Assistant Manager, Risk and Advisory, at BDO London, for gaining the highest marks in the CIA exam this year worldwide.
“Every winner of an award, every team or individual who was shortlisted, and every colleague who came to our event to cheer them on, deserves our thanks, not just for what they have done, but for the spirit in which they did it,” Boeri told those at the event. He praised everyone in the room for celebrating excellence and honouring courage “because that’s what our profession is built on”.
“Internal audit depends not just on technical skill or regulatory insight, but on the courage to ask the hard questions, speak truth to power and stand firm in the storm. And we do this with style,” he said. And he called on everyone present to go out and praise one of their colleagues or peers for something courageous that they have done this year – from a conversation they’ve started to a change they’ve championed.
Sara I James said that when she was told she was being awarded the JJ Morris award her first reaction was disbelief. “It's a tremendous honour, and I feel I'm in extremely distinguished company when I consider previous winners,” she said. “I've thoroughly enjoyed my volunteer work for the Chartered IIA – on regional committees and working groups, contributing to Global practice guides, and creating or translating member resources for IFACI (the French IIA). I hope to continue to do so for many years!”
David Hill said the award was unexpected and left him feeling humbled but honoured. “This recognition is not just a personal milestone, but a reflection of the collective progress we have made as a profession. I am grateful to my peers, mentors, and the Chartered IIA for their continued support and inspiration,” he said.
So congratulations to all the winners and those on the shortlist of this year’s awards – but also congratulations to every other internal audit professional doing a courageous and necessary job in an unpredictable world.
The winners 2025
Outstanding Team Awards
Private Sector (non-FS)
AstraZeneca Group Internal Audit
Public Sector
HMRC Internal Audit Team
Financial Services Sector
Together Group Internal Audit
Highly Commended: Paysafe Internal Audit
DEI Champion
Eleanor Jeffrey, Head of Internal Audit, Royal London
Highly commended: The Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) Fertility and Baby Loss (F&BL) Community
Professional Impact
Joseph Morgan, Head of Data Analytics and People Development, Barclays Internal Audit
Highly commended: Jessica Kirschel CIA CMIIA PIIA, Head of Internal Audit, National Energy System Operator (NESO)
Category sponsored by Audit & Risk Recruitment
Internal Audit Innovation
The Exeter Internal Audit Team
Category sponsored by BDO
Internal Audit Rising Star
Julieanna Gorman, Internal Audit Manager, Standard Life part of the Phoenix Group
Highly commended: Nadine Gee, Internal Auditor, Barclays Internal Audit
Category sponsored by IAC Recruitment
Inspirational Leader
Lyndsey Miller, Audit Director, Nationwide Building Society
Category sponsored by Protiviti
With many thanks to our headline sponsor of the awards event, Protiviti, and to Audit & Risk Recruitment, BDO and IAC Recruitment, the category sponsors.