British APCO Control Room Innovation Award Finalists Announced as part of Control Room Awards 2025

The shortlist for the The British APCO Control Room Innovation Award 2025 has officially been announced as part of the Control Room Awards 2025, honouring the outstanding professionalism, dedication, and compassion of the people working behind the scenes in control rooms across the UK and beyond.

The finalists for The British APCO Control Room Innovation Award are:

• Humber Bridge Control Room Project Team 
• The Joint Emergency Services Control Room Team - Anguilla (British Overseas Territory)
• Emma Jepson and Phillip Ainsworth - Humberside Police 

Joining the judging panel this year was Jeremy Habberley, representing British APCO. Jeremy said: 

“It was my first time judging and I was delighted and honoured to represent British APCO. The experience was awe-inspiring, and I’m looking forward to a brilliant night celebrating some of these unsung heroes.”

Now in their seventh year, the Control Room Awards remain the only accolades dedicated to the unsung heroes in police, fire, ambulance, and coastguard control rooms, as well as other critical control operations, whose actions save lives and support frontline responders every day. Winners will be announced at a glittering ceremony on July 3 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Hull.

The 2025 Control Room Awards Judging Panel featured high-profile leaders from the control room sector, including:

• Andy Day, Director of Business Development (Public Safety Group), Sopra Steria
• Jeremy Habberley, British APCO Trustee 
• Becky Tipper, Account Executive - UK Policing, Salesforce
• Ben Hawkins, Former Winner and Control Room Mental Health Champion
• Mike Isherwood, Co-Founder of the Control Room Awards

Judging took place the day after the tragic events in Liverpool, where celebrations turned to horror. This incident underscored the vital role control room professionals play in coordinating fast, effective, and life-saving emergency responses.