West Cumbria’s transformation has been recognized by the prestigious Institute of Economic Development (iED) Annual Awards 2025. The initiative, led by Sellafield Ltd and the Cumbria Community Foundation, was named Social Value Initiative of the Year at the ceremony held at The Lowry Hotel in Manchester on November 25, following the iED Annual Conference.
The iED Awards celebrate the achievements of individuals, teams, and organizations in both the public and private sectors. This year, a record-breaking number of entries were received across seven categories, and the finalists were evaluated by a panel of expert judges in September.
Sponsored by The Growth Company, the Social Value Initiative of the Year award recognizes projects, teams, or individuals who have championed and made significant contributions to social value creation. The winning entry detailed how the Transforming West Cumbria program, a £6.5 million place-based five-year social investment program co-created by Sellafield Ltd and the Cumbria Community Foundation, has addressed the root causes of disadvantage in the region and generated exceptional social value. The success of the program is not only measured in numbers but in lives changed, futures secured, and communities strengthened.
Bev Hurley CBE, iED Director and former Chair, who hosted the awards honoring achievements in the public and private sectors, praised Transforming West Cumbria as a benchmark for place-based social investment. She commended the strategic vision, deep collaboration, and measurable impact demonstrated by the program, which has generated £19.9 million in social value. Transforming West Cumbria addresses disadvantage through innovative, thematic delivery, empowers communities across generations, and serves as a replicable model of inclusive growth.
Head of Social Impact at Sellafield Ltd, Tracey West, expressed gratitude for the program’s national recognition. West emphasized the program’s wide-ranging and lasting impact on local communities since its launch in 2020, as confirmed by an independent mid-program evaluation. She also acknowledged the support of all the delivery partners in making Transforming West Cumbria a success.
Dr. Jenny Benson, Director of Programmes & Partnerships at the Cumbria Community Foundation, shared her delight at winning the iED’s Social Value Initiative of the Year award for the Transforming West Cumbria program. She credited Sellafield Ltd’s significant investment and the collaborative approach with a range of voluntary, community, and social enterprise partners for the program’s success. Benson emphasized the program’s responsiveness to the community’s needs and its ability to bring about real and lasting change.
iED Executive Director Nigel Wilcock commented on the exceptional quality, innovation, and commitment displayed by all the finalists. He congratulated the winners and thanked everyone who submitted entries, showcasing the diversity, creativity, and impact of economic development in action.
The evening also saw the launch of the iED’s 40th anniversary celebrations, which began with the creation of the prestigious awards. Wilcock welcomed familiar faces and new colleagues to share in the special occasion.
