The winners of the prestigious Legacy Giving Awards were announced on 29th April at a ceremony held on Northumberland Avenue in London. Now in their fourth year, the awards celebrate excellence, innovation and impact across the UK legacy giving sector, recognising the individuals, teams and organisations driving forward this vital income stream for charities.
Fourteen winners, selected from 91 finalists, were revealed during the ceremony, showcasing the extraordinary contributions of legacy professionals and partners from across the sector. The winners were chosen by an expert judging panel of 15 leading figures from the legacy giving community, who assessed entries based on Ambition, Excellence and Achievement.
Legacy giving continues to play an increasingly important role in supporting the UK’s charitable sector, with gifts in Wills projected to reach nearly £5 billion annually by 2030. This year’s awards highlight the sector’s ongoing evolution, with a strong focus on digital innovation, stewardship, collaboration and leadership.
The 2026 winners represent a diverse range of charities, agencies and partners, from national organisations to specialist causes, all demonstrating outstanding commitment to engaging supporters and maximising the impact of legacy giving.
Polly Avgherinos, CEO at MiExact, said:
“Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and highly commended organisations. The scale and quality of entries we received is a testament to the dedication and expertise across the sector. It was fantastic to come together and celebrate the achievements of so many organisations and individuals who are pushing boundaries and delivering real impact through legacy giving.”
“Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and highly commended organisations. The scale and quality of entries we received is a testament to the dedication and expertise across the sector. It was fantastic to come together and celebrate the achievements of so many organisations and individuals who are pushing boundaries and delivering real impact through legacy giving.”
The full list of winners:
- Digital Innovation in Legacy Giving: Action for Children (Highly Commended: British Red Cross)
- Excellence in Stewardship: Essex Wildlife Trust (Highly Commended: Victoria and Albert Museum)
- Best Creative Partner: Raw London
- Best Legal Partner: Foot Anstey
- Best Will Writing Partner: Octopus Legacy
- Legacy Campaign of the Year: St John’s Hospice (Highly Commended: Hospice UK)
- Legacy Champion of the Year: Janet Abraham, Claire House Hospice (Highly Commended: Catherine Bosworth, Hospice UK)
- Future Leader Bursary Awards: Charlotte Price (Air Ambulance Charity) and Jennifer Connolly (Hospice in the Weald)
- Crispin Ellison Bursary Awards: Sassy Holmes (Yorkshire Wildlife Trust) and Aiste Klisyte (Edinburgh Cats and Dogs Home)
- Legacy Event of the Year: Dorset Wildlife Trust (Highly Commended: Alzheimer’s Research UK)
- Outstanding Partner to the Legacy Sector: Octopus Legacy
- Legacy Team of the Year: Alzheimer’s Society (Highly Commended: Macmillan Cancer Support)
Ashley Rowthorn, Executive Director at MiExact’s Legacy Futures and Smee & Ford said:
“The calibre of entries this year has been exceptional, reflecting a sector that continues to grow in confidence, innovation and impact. It is especially meaningful to mark the 10th anniversary of the Crispin Ellison Bursary, which plays an important role in supporting professional development and nurturing future talent within legacy administration. Together, the winners and finalists demonstrate the strength and ambition of the legacy giving community.”
“The calibre of entries this year has been exceptional, reflecting a sector that continues to grow in confidence, innovation and impact. It is especially meaningful to mark the 10th anniversary of the Crispin Ellison Bursary, which plays an important role in supporting professional development and nurturing future talent within legacy administration. Together, the winners and finalists demonstrate the strength and ambition of the legacy giving community.”
Two more winners will be announced for the Crispin Ellison Bursary Award at the ILM Annual Conference 2026 on 8th May. These will be revealed at the conference.
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About MiExact’s Smee & Ford and Legacy Futures
Smee & Ford is the UK’s leading provider of legacy notification and data services, helping charities to understand and maximise legacy income. With decades of experience and unique data on charitable gifts in wills in the UK, Smee & Ford provides vital insights that underpin effective legacy fundraising strategies.
Smee & Ford is the UK’s leading provider of legacy notification and data services, helping charities to understand and maximise legacy income. With decades of experience and unique data on charitable gifts in wills in the UK, Smee & Ford provides vital insights that underpin effective legacy fundraising strategies.
Legacy Futures brings together a group of specialist consultancies focused on gifts in wills and in-memory giving. It comprises the research, insight and analysis of Legacy Foresight, the strategic consultancy of Legacy Voice, the estate administration of Legacy Link and the notification and data services of Smee & Ford.
Smee & Ford and Legacy Futures are now united as one business as part of the wider MiExact group, a life events intelligence business, and work together to empower charities through leading legacy giving expertise, data and consultancy.
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