People across Aberdeen are being invited to recognise a council employee or team whose exceptional work has made a real difference by nominating them for the People’s Champion 2026 award.
The Star Awards is Aberdeen City Council’s annual staff recognition awards and includes the People’s Champion, the award that is nominated by and voted for by members of the public.
Councillor Neil Copland, convener of Staff Governance Committee said: “Sometimes a small act of kindness, or someone taking the time to help can make a lasting difference, and this award is a chance to say thank you and share those stories.”
The criteria to be nominated for People’s Champion is:
- Works for Aberdeen City Council;
- Be passionate about making a difference to the people and communities they serve;
- Consistently demonstrate dedication, professionalism and high standards, and;
- Have made a notable positive contribution that deserves recognition from the public.
These actions must have taken place in Aberdeen between October 2025 and October 2026 and can be in the workplace, as a volunteer outside of work, or both.
All nominations will then be reviewed, before an external panel of judges from local voluntary groups select three finalists, and the winner will be selected by the public from this list.
Last year, James Byres, a dedicated gardener and mental health champion, was crowned as the 2025 People’s Champion.
You can nominate your People’s Champion online now: People's Champion 2026
Nominations close at 3pm on 8 November 2026.
The winner of the People’s Champion will be revealed at the Star Awards Ceremony in November 2026.