LCS Awards 2026 — Now Open: Celebrate Excellence in Continuous Improvement

We’re thrilled to announce that entries for the LCS Awards 2026 are now open! Our annual Awards celebrate the organisations, teams and individuals shaping the future of Lean and Continuous Improvement — recognising measurable impact, innovation, leadership and culture. 

In the world of improvement, change isn’t just about tools — it’s about people, mindset, and outcomes that last. The LCS Awards are a chance to showcase your achievements, share learning with peers, and be part of a community committed to excellence. 

Key Dates 

• Entries Open: 2nd February 2026 

• Entries Close: 1st May 2026 

• Awards Night: 23rd September 2026, Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly 

Cost of Entry: Free! All awards are free to enter. 

Why Enter the LCS Awards?

Submitting your work to the LCS Awards is more than a competition — it’s an opportunity to: 

• Reflect on and celebrate your improvement journey. 

• Gain recognition for your impact within your sector. 

• Inspire others in the continuous improvement community. 

• Motivate teams by highlighting their contribution to sustainable change. 

Whether you’ve led a strategic transformation, built improvement capability, or delivered measurable results that matter to your customers, colleagues and communities, the Awards offer a platform to be seen and celebrated. 

2026 Award Categories 

Organisational Impact 

• LCS Organisation of the Year Award: For organisations demonstrating the broadest, most sustained adoption of Lean with measurable results. 

• LCS Culture of Improvement Award: Celebrating organisations where continuous improvement is embedded in culture and everyday behaviours. 

• LCS Digital & AI Enabled Improvement Award: Recognising organisations integrating digital tools, automation or AI into Lean practice. 

• LCS Learning & Development Excellence Award: For organisations investing in capability development to strengthen improvement maturity. 

• LCS Impact Excellence Award: For major Lean or continuous improvement projects delivering measurable, lasting impact. 

• LCS Scaling Continuous Improvement Capability Award: Honouring organisations successfully scaling CI capability to deliver sustainable impact at scale. 

Individual Contribution 

• LCS Global Champion Award: For individuals who visibly champion Lean across their organisation. 

• LCS Leadership Excellence Award: Recognising leaders who inspire others and embed improvement into strategy and culture. 

• LCS Rising Star Award: For early-career practitioners showing strong potential and high impact. 

• LCS Practitioner Excellence Award: Celebrating individual practitioners delivering consistently high-quality improvement work. 

Meet the Judges 

All entries will be reviewed by an independent panel of senior practitioners and industry leaders:

Matt Sims – Founder, Ever-So-Lean
Helping organisations simplify complex ways of working and build practical, people-centred improvement capability. Known for a pragmatic, results-focused approach. 

Jen Knight – Head of Frimley Excellence, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust 
Senior NHS leader driving Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement across healthcare services. Passionate about delivering practical, sustainable change that improves outcomes for staff and patients. 

Sarah Lethbridge – Pro Dean of External Engagement, Lean Specialist, Cardiff University 
Lean specialist leading industry collaborations and embedding Lean thinking in service and healthcare settings. Advanced Operational Excellence through research and education. 

Martin Brenig-Jones – Executive Chair, Catalyst Consulting Ltd 
Advises blue-chip global clients on Operational Excellence. Previously held senior executive roles at BT and recognised expert in Lean Six Sigma and process improvement. 

How to Enter 

Entering is straightforward. Choose the category or categories that best align with your achievements and complete the entry form with evidence of your impact, approach, and outcomes. You can enter on behalf of yourself, your team, or your organisation — or nominate someone whose contribution deserves recognition. 

We look forward to reading your submissions, celebrating your successes, and sharing the stories that are driving continuous improvement forward. 

Enter the LCS Awards 2026 today — and let’s celebrate excellence together.