The Royal College of Podiatry Awards recognise some of the individuals and teams making a difference to patients, communities and colleagues. 

Following this year's ceremony at the Royal Institution, we spoke to award winners, finalists and guests about their work, their ambitions for the profession and what the evening meant to them. 

Standing on the shoulders of giants 

Setting the scene was our Master of Ceremonies for the evening, Simon Snashall.  

Reflecting on the Royal Institution and its remarkable scientific history, Simon admitted that standing in such a famous venue brought with it a sense of occasion. 

"We're standing on the shoulders of giants here," he said. 

But alongside the history of the building, he also sensed something special in the room. 

"There is a general feeling that this is a special place and a special place to truly celebrate the work that you do." 

Watch Simon's reflections below. 

It’s not just about feet 

Chair of Council Emma Noe spoke about the importance of recognising the people who are often the unsung heroes of the profession. 

For Emma, the evening was a chance to celebrate the talent coming through podiatry and the many individuals making a difference every day. 

She also reflected on the wider impact of podiatry. 

"It's not just about feet," she said. 

"It's about giving people back their quality of life and helping them do the things they want to do. Whether that's walking the dog around the block or running a marathon, it's incredibly important to that individual." 

Watch Emma's interview, including her reflections on becoming Chair of Council.

Saving limbs, saving lives 

Diamond Lifetime Achievement Award winner Debbie Sharman reflected on a career dedicated to improving outcomes for patients. 

While the phrase "saving limbs, saving lives" has become closely associated with podiatry, Debbie believes the profession's influence reaches far beyond clinical outcomes alone. 

Her advice to fellow podiatrists was: 

"Be passionate. Believe that you can make a difference. It's hard sometimes, but we can still make a difference – just go for it." 

Watch Debbie's interview below. 

Everything comes back to patient care 

Lifetime Achievement Award finalist Dr Ivan Bristow reflected on the role patient care has played throughout his career. 

A private practitioner and specialist in dermatology, Ivan said that whatever projects or initiatives he becomes involved with, they always lead back to clinical practice. 

"Everything that I do, everything I've worked on, feeds back into patient care." 

Watch Ivan's interview below. 

Thinking outside the box 

Fellow Lifetime Achievement Award finalist Dr Tariq Khan believes one of the most important things podiatrists can do is challenge convention. 

"My biggest contribution has been to think outside the box and try to make a difference," he said. 

Tariq also reflected on the increasing awareness podiatry is receiving from other healthcare professions and the contribution the profession makes to multidisciplinary patient care. 

Watch Tariq's interview below. 

Help children be the best they can be 

Members’ Choice winner Chris Ansermoz hopes his award will help shine a spotlight on children’s podiatry. 

For Chris, working with children is about much more than treating a condition. It’s about helping young people reach their potential and ensuring that their voices are heard. 

“Children are amazing developing structures. They're people in their own right and they bring their own challenges when you see them in clinic.” 

He believes podiatrists should listen carefully to their younger patients. 

“Sometimes I don’t think they get heard,” 

Watch Chris’s interview below. 

A team effort in social prescribing 

The winners of the Podiatry Team of the Year Award were proud to explain the work of the Allied Health and Nursing Collaborative Leg Engagement Café.  

The team described their work as a form of social prescribing, supporting people with chronic venous leg ulcers through both treatment and social connection. 

The impact has been vital. 

“We've had patients who haven’t been able to look after their grandchildren and now they can because their legs are leaking as much.” 

The team also found patients were often more receptive to treatment in the café setting than in more traditional healthcare environments. 

Watch the team’s thoughts below. 

My work in the community means everything to me 

Alf Morris Community Award winner Emma Price spoke deeply about the importance of supporting people who may otherwise struggle to access healthcare. 

Through her community work, Emma regularly meets people who are often overlooked or forgotten by traditional services. 

“It's a very important part of my work as a podiatrist and as a human being.” 

For Emma, community podiatry is about giving something back. 

Her advice to others is: 

“Just go out there and offer. If you go to any of your home shelters or a soup kitchen or any charity that interests you to see how you can help, I can guarantee you'll be welcomed with open arms.” 

Watch Emma’s interview below. 

Be enthusiastic 

Research and Innovation Award winner Dr Michael Backhouse believes enthusiasm is one of the most important qualities a podiatrist looking to get into research can have. 

“There's lots of opportunities out there. People need to go and find them.” 

Reflecting on his BigToe inserts project, Michael underlined the importance of research participation and evidence generation.  

Only through robust trials, he said, can innovations demonstrate their value and ultimately influence future clinical practice and guidelines.  

Watch Michael’s interview below. 

Influencing future generations 

James Hallam Clinical/Academic Educator of the Year Award winner Dr Ruth Barn reflected on the privilege of working as a clinical academic. 

For Ruth, one of the most rewarding aspects of the role is helping to inspire the next generation of podiatrists. 

“It's a very privileged position to be able to portray your enthusiasm for the difference that you can make.” 

Alf Morris Community Award finalist Deborah Wilson shared how education can have an impact far beyond the UK through the Malawi Project. 

The initiative funded a Malawian medical doctor's MSc module in diabetes care and management in Glasgow, including specialist teaching on the high-risk diabetic foot and a clinical placement. 

On returning to Malawi, the doctor introduced diabetic foot screening into her local community, helping to reduce the number of diabetes-related amputations. 

"Hopefully the work and the money we have been able to raise to facilitate that will make a difference in Malawi."  

Natural problem solvers

Podiatry Careers Champion Award winner Ganesh Baliah spoke about his pride in receiving recognition from the profession.  

As a leader and educator, he also reflected on the wider contribution podiatrists can make within healthcare. 

“Podiatrists are natural problem solvers” 

He believes the profession should continue to pursue leadership opportunities, including roles that have not traditionally been associated with podiatry.  

For those considering a career in the profession, his message was equally positive. 

“There are so many avenues for them to travel down”. 

Watch Ganesh’s interview below. 

Doing the degree differently 

Student of the Year finalist Jose Sebastiao spoke warmly about his experience as a podiatry apprentice.  

Combining university study with clinical practice at Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has allowed him to gain experiences that differ from those of many traditional undergraduate students.  

“I had my own supervised clinic and through that experience I got to see different things and different people.” 

Jose believes apprenticeship routes are an important way of attracting people into the profession and helping address workforce shortages.  

His gratitude towards the colleagues who supported him was evident.  

"I'm thankful for my educators. I'm thankful for the team because they take a lot of time with me explaining things. I'm thankful for everyone who taught me on my journey." 

Watch Jose's interview below. 

A small profession with exceptional people 

Council member and Awards Committee member Martin Fox reflected on the calibre of this year’s nominations.  

For him, one of the greatest pleasures of the Awards programme was discovering people whose work had previously been unknown to him. 

He also challenged podiatrists to recognise their own expertise. 

“We’ve got to believe in ourselves a little bit more that we are the best out there.” 

Martin spoke about the importance of stronger relationships between NHS and independent practice, particularly when it comes to ensuring patients can access the care they need quickly and efficiently. 

Watch Martin’s interview below. 

Keep moving forward  

In her final awards ceremony as Chair of Council, Professor Jane McAdam reflected on the importance of recognising people who often receive little public recognition for their contribution to the profession.  

She also looked ahead to the future. 

“I hope that we keep going in the direction we are.” 

Reflecting on the College’s strategy, Jane praised the collective efforts of volunteers, staff, Council members and the wider membership.  

"It's Council, it's all the volunteers, it's the staff, it's the members. We are going in the right direction." 

Watch Jane’s interview below. 

Final thoughts

Perhaps the strongest theme to come from this year's conversations was not the awards themselves. 

It was the belief that podiatry can always go further. Whether through patient care, research, education, leadership or service to others, each person we spoke to was contributing to that journey in their own distinctive and indelible way. 

The awards recognise achievement, but more importantly they reveal something deeper about a profession and the people in it.

Links and references 

• Royal College of Podiatry celebrates excellence at Awards 2026 

• In pictures: Royal College of Podiatry Awards 2026 

• In pictures: Celebrating the winners of the Royal College of Podiatry Awards 2026