Estates excellence recognised with double success at AUDE Awards

Estates excellence recognised with double success at AUDE Awards

Two Estates teams have been recognised at the 2026 AUDE Awards.

The Interior Design, Furniture & Equipment (IDFE) team earned bronze for the AUDE Reaching Higher Award, thanks to its innovative Furniture and Equipment Donation Initiative.

The Estates Information & Systems (EIS) team took home silver for AUDE’s Estates/Facilities Team Award, having led on several digital transformation projects that have reshaped how the University manages space, assets, maintenance and campus navigation.

The annual AUDE Awards recognise excellence across higher education estates and facilities, celebrating teams who deliver high‑quality services, strong collaboration and clear benefits for their university communities.

(L-R) Richard Seago, Director of Business Services, Natalie Armson, Assistant Interior Design, Furniture & Equipment Officer, Hendrik Pontson, Junior Delivery Manager (IDG), Brett Plant, Head of Estates Information & Systems, Vicky Hill, Interior Design, Furniture and Equipment Manager, Matt Hoper, Estates Data, Analytics & Insights Manager, and Paul Eyden, Building Information Modelling Manager, at this year's AUDE Awards at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds.

Bronze for Interior Design, Furniture and Equipment

The IDFE team was recognised for its furniture donation initiative, which supports local communities while helping the University meet its sustainability goals.

The initiative focuses on donating surplus furniture, ensuring that items are given a second life rather than going to waste. Working closely with colleagues across Estates, including the Portering team, the approach combines strong governance with careful logistics to deliver benefits both on and off campus.

Vicky Hill, Interior Design, Furniture & Equipment Manager, said: “Winning reflects the hard work, collaboration and commitment of everyone involved. From the IDFE team, who ensured the right governance and compliance were firmly in place, to our Porters, who provided outstanding logistical support, this was very much a shared achievement.

“The initiative shows how positive cross‑team working can deliver real benefits, not just for the University, but for the wider community as well. It’s an honour to see this work recognised and shared with colleagues across the UK higher education sector.”

Silver success for Estates Information & Systems

The Estates Information & Systems team received a silver award in recognition of its work supporting data‑led decision making across Estates and the wider University.

The team maintains and develops systems that support planning, reporting and compliance, helping colleagues make informed decisions that improve services and outcomes.

Brett Plant, Head of Estates Information & Systems, said: “This silver award is a wonderful recognition of what has been a hugely important year for the EIS team, delivering a series of improvements that have made a real difference to colleagues across the University.

“Being recognised by AUDE reflects the professionalism, dedication and expertise of the team, and their strong commitment to delivering systems and insights that genuinely support others in their work.

“The award also highlights the strength of our cross‑department collaboration. It shows what we can achieve when we work closely with colleagues across Estates and with partners from across the wider University, including IDG, to deliver shared goals and lasting benefits.”

A shared achievement

Both awards highlight the breadth of expertise across Estates and the value of collaboration between teams.

Estates colleagues work closely with academic and professional services staff to deliver spaces, systems and services that support Warwick’s teaching, research and student experience.

Congratulations to the IDFE and EIS teams on this well‑deserved national recognition. You can read the full list of nominees in the AUDE Awards 2026 brochure.Link opens in a new window