Congratulations to the winners and finalists of the Smee & Ford Legacy Giving Awards 2025

Now in their third year, the Smee & Ford Legacy Giving Awards recognise the outstanding achievements, talent and dedication of UK legacy giving professionals while highlighting the significant income that gifts in wills bring to charities.

Last month (April 2025), at a ceremony at London’s Hilton Bankside, legacy professionals, volunteers and charity teams from all over the UK came together to celebrate commitment and innovation, benchmark the incredible progress being made in the sector, and — of course — find out who’d be taking home the coveted awards.

Where ideas meet impact

The day opened with the Excellence Forum, a morning of lively, thought-provoking panel discussions designed to share practical insight and spark inspiration. The first session explored how collaboration, within an organisation and with external partners, can amplify impact. The second delved into best practice in legacy stewardship, highlighting strategies for nurturing long-term, meaningful relationships with pledgers. The final panel offered a showcase of standout legacy campaigns from across the sector, packed with creative ideas and fresh perspectives for others to build on.

Comedian Jo Caulfield hosted the awards ceremony with sharp humour and a warm delivery that set the stage for a joyful and well-deserved celebration.

And the winners are...

The 2025 winners represent a diverse mix of organisations, from national charities to smaller, specialist causes, all demonstrating best practice in engaging supporters and driving legacy giving forward.

• Catsnake: The Story Agency Best Creative Partner to the Legacy Sector
• The Brain Tumour Charity and Make a Will Online Best Free Will Service
• Foot Anstey Best Legal Partner to the Legacy Sector
• Foot Anstey Best Property Partner to the Legacy Sector
• Soil Association Best Start-up Legacy Programme
• Octopus Legacy Best Strategic Will Provider 2025
• RSPCA Digital Innovation in Legacy Giving
• Debbie Henshaw – Cornwall Air Ambulance Director’s Award for Outstanding Legacy Manager
• St Elizabeth Hospice Excellence in Donor Journey & Pledger Stewardship
• Canal & River Trust Excellence in Working with Lay Executors
• Essex Wildlife Trust Internal Collaboration Champions
• Christian Aid Legacy Administration Team of the Year
• Hayley MacNeill – Save the Children Legacy Administrator 2025
• Christian Aid Legacy Campaign of the Year (Income Over £3m)
• Leukaemia UK Legacy Campaign of the Year (Income Under £3m)
• National Trust Legacy Fundraising Event 2025 (Income Over £3m)
• Canal & River Trust Legacy Fundraising Event 2025 (Income Under £3m)
• John Coulthurst – British Red Cross Legacy Fundraising Professional of the Year
• Jewish Care Legacy Fundraising Team of the Year
• Howard Taylor – Magen David Adom UK Legacy Volunteer of the Year
• Farewill Outstanding Partner to the Legacy Sector

Congratulations to all our winners and finalists

Your commitment, creativity, and collaboration are driving the future of legacy giving and helping shape a stronger, more sustainable charitable sector.

The standard of entries in 2025 was exceptional — a reflection of the evolving professionalism and strategic importance of legacy fundraising. As legacy income becomes increasingly vital to the charitable sector, these awards celebrate the individuals and organisations ensuring donor wishes are fulfilled and their long-term impact realised.

Thank you to everyone who played a part in making this spectacular day a possibility, including our brilliant partners Probate.Auction, Shakespeare Martineau, FirstClass, and Penningtons Manches Cooper. You are all a huge part of why legacy giving is such a powerful and enduring force in the UK.

Feeling inspired?

We’re already looking forward to next year’s event. If you’d like to be a part of the 2026 Legacy Giving Awards, register your interest to be the first to hear new updates.