Council staff shine at excellence awards

Supporting vulnerable residents, working to make Brent more equitable and making a great start to a life of public service on Brent's apprenticeship programme were some of the achievements marked at the council staff awards ceremony last Thursday.

The Brent Excellence Awards provided an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the contributions Brent Council employees have made to the borough and its residents. The awards were all about rewarding and recognising staff who embody the council’s values, for example by leading inclusively or embracing new, innovative ways of delivering services. Every member of staff nominated or who won is helping to shape a brighter future for Brent

Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, praised the contributions of our staff, said: “The dedicated and hardworking people who work for Brent are our greatest asset. The passion, resilience and commitment of our employees to serving residents is what makes Brent a great place for people to live, study and work. Whether you work behind the scenes, on the frontline or in leadership, your hard work helps shape our borough for the better.”

The awards recognised excellence across variety of categories: The Officer of the Year award was won by Marta Portalska, Change & Improvement Project Manager, Service Reform & Strategy, who has been described as an inspiration—someone who leads with heart, lifts others up, and always goes the extra mile.

Environmentalist of the Year award recognised staff leading key projects that have contributed to a sustainable Brent, such as driving Brent’s 72% carbon emission reduction and making sustainability improvements at Brent Civic Centre in Wembley Park.

The Resident Impact Award recognised council staff who have supported and improved the lives of vulnerable residents, by improving housing conditions and providing critical support to families facing immigration-related challenges.

The Equity and Inclusion Award recognised staff who champion diversity and representation in Brent by fostering a sense of belonging in Brent’s deaf community through the creation of weekly meetups, social clubs, and inclusive events.

The Community Award recognised staff who have fostered connections within Brent through creative initiatives, winner of the award was Harlesden Library, for bringing people together through the power of storytelling, poetry, and culture. The team organised the Laureate’s Library Tour, celebrating Somali folklore and history through poetry and dance. Featuring Simon Armitage, Asha Lul Mohamud Yusuf, and Clare Pollard, the event was a huge success, showcasing the vital role libraries play in connecting communities.

The Brent Excellence Awards were supported by our sponsors: Veolia, Infosys, Comensura, Jobs Go Public, Bytes, NSL/Marston, Cellnex, The Drum and The Football Association.

Congratulations to all the winners and to all Brent employees who continue to make positive contributions to the borough and its residents. The passion, innovation and commitment from all our staff are what makes Brent the best it can be and is.