DEDICATED council and health and social care staff have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to Inverclyde.
Employees and teams from across Inverclyde Council and the district’s health and social care partnership (HSCP) were honoured at the annual Pride of Inverclyde Awards.
More than 700 nominations were received from members of the public, colleagues and partners, reflecting the esteem in which local government and HSCP employees are held across Inverclyde.
A range of awards were presented recognising excellence in innovation, service delivery, teamwork and individual achievement, alongside the Chief Executive’s Award, Provost’s Award and Long Service Awards.
Among the winners were John Crighton, property management team leader, who was named Employee of the Year, and the Team of the Year prize went to the Community Wardens Service.
Whinhill Primary picked up the Chief Executive’s Award in recognition of the unprecedented four ‘excellent’ gradings from inspectors which made it the best performing school in the country.
Stuart Jamieson, chief executive of Inverclyde Council, said: “I see first-hand the incredible work of individual employees and teams day in, day out, and that is epitomised by the staff at Whinhill Primary who have excelled at every level as was recognised by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education.
“They go above and beyond the call of duty to provide a first-class education for their pupils, support to families and the wider community, and to challenge and encourage each other to be the best they can be, which is why they are deserving of the Chief Executive’s Award.
“Congratulations to Whinhill Primary and to all the finalists and winners at this year’s Pride of Inverclyde Awards.”
The awards ceremony was held in the Grand Corridor within Greenock Municipal Buildings in front of colleagues, councillors and invited guests and showcased the remarkable achievements of employees who go above and beyond in delivering vital public services every day.
Among the other winners was Janey Lafferty, assistant registrar based at the Municipal Buildings, who was presented with the Provost’s Award.
Provost Drew McKenzie said: “Janey is someone who demonstrates real tact in being able to support people who are at their lowest ebb dealing with bereavement while also helping others to celebrate the biggest moments of their life with the birth of a child or preparing for marriage.
“She conducts herself with such professionalism and enthusiasm and is a credit to the organisation and that’s why I’m delighted that Janey is this year’s Provost’s Award winner.
“The Pride of Inverclyde Awards are a great way to shine a light on unsung heroes like Janey and the other winners and nominees who put their all into delivering quality services to the people of Inverclyde and I take my hat off to each and every one of them for the sterling work they do.”
Full list of winners:
Employee of the Year
John Crighton, Property Management Team Leader
John was recognised for his dedication, innovation and commitment to improving services and securing value for money for the council. Nominations highlighted his extensive knowledge, problem-solving ability and determination to find better ways of working while supporting colleagues and delivering positive outcomes for communities. One nominator described John as someone who ‘doesn’t just go the extra mile; he keeps finding new miles to go’.
Team of the Year
Community Wardens Service
The team was recognised for its evolution from a traditional anti-social behaviour service into a wider community safety and support function. Through welfare checks, reassurance patrols, support for vulnerable residents and close working with emergency services and community partners, the team has become a highly trusted presence across Inverclyde. Judges praised the team’s commitment to communities, adaptability and trauma-informed approach to supporting residents.
Excellence in Innovation
Inverclyde Family Support Service
The service brings together colleagues from educational psychology, social services, education and charity Barnardo’s to support children and young people experiencing school attendance difficulties linked to wider family circumstances. The project has achieved a 92 per cent family engagement rate and 78 per cent achievement of agreed outcomes while strengthening partnership working, supporting earlier interventions and helping improve attendance and wellbeing. The judging panel commended the service’s commitment to understanding the underlying causes of non-attendance and working alongside families to create lasting positive change.
Excellence in Service Delivery
Health and Safety Team
The team was praised for the expert advice, risk management support and practical solutions it provides across both the council and HSCP. Their work has contributed to improved safety awareness, enhanced occupational health arrangements and stronger support for employees experiencing health and wellbeing challenges. The nomination described the team as trusted, compassionate and highly valued across the organisation.
Chief Executive’s Award
Whinhill Primary School
The school achieved an exceptional national milestone following an HM Inspectors inspection in January 2026, receiving ‘excellent’ evaluations across all four quality indicators, a rare achievement in Scottish education. Under the leadership of head teacher Liz Ruddy, inspectors identified multiple examples of national best practice, with four areas highlighted for wider sharing across Scotland. The school was recognised for its inclusive culture, safeguarding arrangements, outstanding leadership and sustained commitment to excellence. Its success has attracted national interest, with education professionals from across the country visiting to learn from the school’s approaches and the ‘Whinhill Way’.
Provost’s Award
Janey Lafferty, Assistant Registrar
Janey was recognised for providing exceptional customer service across all aspects of the registration service. The nomination highlighted her professionalism, compassion and ability to support people through some of the most important and emotional moments of their lives, from marriage ceremonies and birth registrations to bereavement services. The award recognised her commitment to ensuring every customer feels respected, supported and valued.
Long Service Awards
The event also celebrated employees who have dedicated 40 years of service to local government. Recipients of the 2026 Long Service Award who attended the ceremony were: Selina Cooke, David Forbes, Teresa O’Donoghue, Alexander Best and William Hill. A number of other employees also received Long Service Awards but were unable to attend the ceremony.
The 2026 Pride of Inverclyde Awards were hosted by the organisational development team and featured a performance from the Inverclyde Academy Concert Band.
