Winner!
Andy wins Outstanding Contribution to Learning at The Learning Awards 2025
At the prestigious 2025 Learning Awards I was honoured to receive the Colin Steed award for “Outstanding contribution to learning”.
This award is given to an individual who has made a significant and lasting impact on the learning profession and is arguably the top award in organisational learning.
I was so taken by surprise I was a bit lost for words!
So I’d like to take the opportunity here to say a huge thanks to The LPI (Learning and Performance Institute) for this award and to Edmund Monk for the very kind things you said, and to the sponsors, LinkedIn Learning. This award means so much!
Also, a huge call out and thanks to the inspirational Colin Steed, who this award is named after. Colin is someone I deeply respect who has provided inspirational leadership in people development and been a role model to us all. I had the privilege of sitting next to Colin on the night, totally unaware of what was to come!
I was awarded the Colin Steed Award for Outstanding Contribution to Learning by Edmund Monk, at London’s Grosvenor House during the ceremony hosted by Claudia Winkleman. He had this to say about my long-lasting contributions and achievements in the field of workplace learning:
“It is our great honour to announce the recipient of this year’s Outstanding Contribution to Learning Award – a truly deserving individual who has made an immense impact in the world of learning and development.
This is someone who is an authentic ambassador for the learning profession, consistently pushing the boundaries of what is possible, advocating for best practices, and bringing together like-minded professionals to collaborate and drive positive change.
This person has dedicated over 30 years to helping people become better at what they do.
What many don’t know however is that this year’s winner of the Colin Steed Award spent years working in an organisation empowering people to recover from addiction. They know that helping personal transformation is one of the most powerful and important things we can do.
This person has been pivotal in advancing the field of learning and development in ways that go far beyond traditional boundaries. As a leader, innovator, and passionate advocate for lifelong learning, their work has not only shaped the way we approach workplace education, but it has inspired countless individuals to embrace continuous growth.
He has mentored and nurtured seemingly innumerable people, helping them realise their potential and encouraging them to strive for excellence in their own careers. His impact is both wide and deeply personal.
A critically acclaimed and popular author of two titles – “Driving Performance through Learning” and “Organisational Learning Communities”, he is still probably best known for an inspirational last decade leading learning at the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development.
It was here that he spearheaded the creation of learning solutions for the people profession, including the online learning hub, expanding development opportunities to learners in over 180 countries.
Above all this, he is simply one of the kindest, most selfless, and inspiring leaders we have in our profession, personifying the values associated with this award.
For all these reasons and more, we are thrilled to recognise this year’s winner of the Colin Steed Award for an outstanding contribution to learning – Andy Lancaster.”
– Edmund Monk
“I can’t think of a more deserving person to receive this award. Everyone who knows him will be as delighted as I am to see such a nice, thoughtful and honest person honoured in front of 800 people in the Grosvenor House last night.
Andy is a true role model for all learning and performance professionals.”
– Colin Steed
Previously this award has gone to giants of our profession – to that end I am genuinely humbled to gain this recognition.
This is not just a personal award and milestone; it’s a reflection of the incredible leaders and teams I’ve had the privilege to work with.
I’ve been fortunate to work with inspiring colleagues, mentors, and forward-thinking organisations that have provided the platform to drive impact and innovation. So this award is as much theirs as it is mine.
I couldn’t note this award without thanking some key people along the way, and I am inevitably going to inadvertently miss some out, but the following have been a key part of my journey:
- Professor Duncan Harris (at Brunel University of London)
- Philip Windle (at Autodesk)
- Steve Dixon
- Bill Puddicombe (at Phoenix Futures)
- Karen Biggs (at Phoenix Futures)
- Harbinder Kaur (at Phoenix Futures)
- Bruce Moore (at Hanover Housing Association)
- Christine Armstrong (at Hanover Housing Association)
- Peter Cheese (at CIPD)
- Gill White (at CIPD)
- Jenny Gowans (at CIPD)
And the learning team at CIPD, who I had the privilege to lead for over a decade to significantly impact the global people profession. I miss you folks!
Also I’m hugely grateful to Lou Lancaster, Abby Lancaster and Aidan Lancaster for their on-going support, encouragement and sacrifices, especially during book-writing seasons and in recently pioneering Reimagine People Development.
So, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been part of my journey!
Our work to develop people and transform lives continues!
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