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After a bit of internal debate about the merits of entering award schemes, we opted to take part in the UK Dev Awards run by events agency, Don’t Panic.
Our research showed that it’s well established and respected scheme with some 25 categories and an international panel of judges. It attracts entries from a lot of agencies similar to ourselves, so we felt it was a good fit and a sufficiently challenging yardstick for the quality of our work.
We put Fellowship forward in three categories:
1. App of the Year
For our Home App for SaveMoneyCutCarbon.
SMCC helps people save money while saving the planet at the same time. We developed a user friendly app that enables their customers to switch their existing home energy products and appliances for more cost effective alternatives that use less energy.
Read the full case study here.
The judges said:
“One of the best examples of an app that is helping solve two of the biggest challenges facing the world today. Shows real expertise in user design, research and development.”
2. Third Sector Website of the Year
For NHS Suffolk & NE Essex Integrated Care Board.
Making this site easily accessible and inclusive for NHS staff, patients, and the local community was a major priority for this site. It had to meet the high standards set
by the latest web accessibility guidelines (WCAG 2.1 Level AA).
Read the full case study here.
The judges said:
“Great project, with real world impact. Great approach to accessibility compliance and how design does not have to suffer due to accessibility issues.”
Judges’ comments:
“Great project, with real world impact. Great approach to accessibility compliance and how design does not have to suffer due to accessibility issues.”
3. Dev Agency of the Year (medium sized).
All too frequently the vital technical work that developers do on websites and bespoke digital development goes on out of sight and therefore is too often out of mind. This award celebrates their specialist expertise. It recognises “agencies with 10-25 employees with a proven track record of working collaboratively and cohesively with third parties.”
We got through to the finals in all three categories and were super excited to do so.
The gala awards evening at the Montcalm Hotel was attended by Darren Hickey and Matt Johnson, who enjoyed catching up with other agency contacts over dinner and drinks, while the awards were being given out.
Having seen the first two categories awarded to other agencies Darren and Matt were feeling understandably anxious while awaiting the result of the big one.
Much to their surprise and delight, Fellowship was duly announced as the winner of UK Dev Agency of the Year (medium sized).
FELLOWSHIP, WINNERS OF DEV AGENCY OF THE YEAR, UK DEV AWARDS
Here’s what the judges had to say:
“Congratulations to Fellowship. This agency was a clear winner for us. They have a great client mix with international, public and private sector clients. We loved their strong view of staff skills evolution to support growth and retention. Their ESG and climate-based projects show a well-positioned place in the market.”
Cue lots of congratulations, celebrations, hugs and photos.
Fellowship Founder, Darren Hickey, said:
“This is very timely as we’ve just celebrated our twentieth anniversary. It’s our first awards win at the first time of entering, so we’re thrilled. Our team set very high standards, so we’re delighted to see the quality of our work recognised in this way. Hopefully, this will now be the first of many!”
So, despite some initial doubts, the effort of entering definitely paid off.
Now it’s back to the day job, while sneaking an occasional happy look at our fabulous trophy which is prominently displayed in our office.
Our Founder and MD, Darren Hickey, said:
“We celebrated our 20th anniversary last year and this is the first time we’ve entered any awards. We were thrilled to have reached the finals in all three categories. Winning Dev Agency of the Year is the icing on the cake.
It’s a great testament to the quality of work our dev team delivers and the standards we set ourselves. I’m sure this will inspire us to reach new heights in our constant efforts to help our clients grow.”
So, we did it! The time and effort involved proved well worthwhile.
Now we’re firmly back in the daily routine, heads down and busy on the next round of potentially award-winning websites and bespoke developments.
With just the occasional glance at our shiny new trophy that has pride of place on our shelves.
