News

Zoe receives royal praise

29 Mar 2023

Ingeus’s Zoe Gaywood is celebrating after receiving a commendation – and personal praise – from HRH The Princess Royal at the annual Butler Trust Awards ceremony.

Zoe, a Health Trainer for Ingeus’s Commissioned Rehabilitative Services (CRS) in Chesterfield, attended the prestigious awards ceremony on Monday, 27 March, at St James’s Palace. She was one of just 20 well-deserving Commendees from across the UK’s justice sector and was chosen, alongside nine award winners, from over 400 nominations. Butler Trust’s Royal Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, presented each of the attendees with their certificates.

Zoe said: “The whole event was absolutely brilliant. I was quite overwhelmed with it all, and HRH Princess Anne was just lovely. When she spoke to me she was interested to hear about my background and told me to keep up my good work.”

Launched in 1985, the awards celebrate those working behind the scenes in the justice system – recognising the hard work and dedication which can all too often go unnoticed.

James Foreman, Regional Manager, East Midlands Personal Wellbeing Team - CRS, nominated Zoe for the award, keen for her work to receive the recognition it deserves. 

Attending the ceremony with Zoe, James said: “It was a privilege to attend the Butler Trust awards with Zoe. The ceremony itself was fantastic, but the whole experience of the day will live long in the memory. I was incredibly proud of Zoe when she collected her commendation from HRH Princess Anne.

“Zoe’s commendation is recognition for her outstanding commitment and passion and for her constant determination to go the extra mile to help change lives. Zoe works tirelessly to make a difference – she has an exceptional ability to break down barriers and build successful working relationships with both professionals and people on probation. 

“I am incredibly proud of Zoe, she epitomises why we should all ‘believe in everyone’, one of Ingeus’s core values.”

The judges were eager to praise the outstanding service Zoe offers to those within the Personal Wellbeing programme, recognising that her lived experience underpins so much of what she does. 

Zoe said: “The whole process – from being nominated through to the ceremony – has made me feel so special and has just made me want to push further and work harder.

“So much of what I do though is about how well we work together – it’s all a team effort. And so much is due to working in a company that values its employees so much.”

All winners and commendees are invited by Butler Trust to attend an Alumni Development Programme later this year. Zoe is hoping to attend the two-day course, which includes an opportunity to gain a dissertation-based justice qualification.

Find out more about the Butler Trust and their annual awards.