The third Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards come at a time of uncertainty and huge challenges for the sector. The work of professional staff will be in the spotlight like never before, and examples of best practice that can be applied more widely will be more valuable than ever.

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It is fitting that the winner of this year¡¯s top award has already faced and overcome what could have been total disaster. In September 2007, the government decided to remove funding from students taking an equivalent or lower-level qualification (ELQ). The move dealt a devastating blow to Birkbeck, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of London. But the institution¡¯s leadership and management team picked itself up, dusted itself off and implemented a successful strategic review. To make up for the loss in ELQ cash, they refocused their offering ? which resulted in a 38 per cent rise in student recruitment. Of course we congratulate all our very worthy winners, and I would like to thank our experienced and enthusiastic judges who took their role seriously and performed it with professionalism and aplomb.

The winners:

ICT Initiative of the Year

Sponsored by Smart Technologies
Winner:
51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Huddersfield

Outstanding Library Team

Sponsored by Demco
Winner:
Newcastle 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ

Outstanding Procurement Team

Sponsored by
Winner:
51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of the West of England

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Outstanding 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ Fundraising Team

Winner:
51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Bath

Outstanding Marketing/Communications Team

Sponsored by Campus Life
Winner:
51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Nottingham

Outstanding Human Resources Team

Winner:
Aston 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ

Outstanding Finance Team

Sponsored by Travelex Global Business Payments Limited
Winner:
51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Bedfordshire

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Knowledge Exchange/Transfer Initiative of the Year

Winner:
Aston 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ

Outstanding Research Management Team

Winner:
51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Northampton

Outstanding Student Services Team

Sponsored by Campus Living Villages
Winner:
City 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ London

Outstanding Student Admissions Team

Sponsored by UCAS
Winner:
51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Warwick

Outstanding International Strategy

Sponsored by
Winner:
Birmingham City 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ

Outstanding Departmental Administration Team

Winner:
51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Greenwich

Outstanding Registry Team

Winner:
51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Derby

Outstanding Estates Team

Sponsored by Mills & Reeve
Winner:
Newcastle 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ

Outstanding Leadership and Management Team

Sponsored by The Leadership Foundation for Higher Education
Winner:
Birkbeck, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of London

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The winners were announced at the gala Awards dinner on June 16 at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London. Congratulations to all.