UK Career Development Awards 2025: Carnival of Careers


Booking is now closed for the awards. View the evening schedule | Directions to venue

This year, we are excited to hold the awards ceremony on Tuesday 17 June at the Royal National Hotel in London. The event will be themed as the 'CDI Carnival of Careers' and we welcome attendees to dress up and join in! 

Attendees can look forward to a glamorous awards ceremony and enjoy celebrating the work of inspirational careers professionals, catching up with peers and friends, and making new connections!

Dress Code: Formal attire with a splash of colour – bold and bright! Think suits (ties optional), elegant dresses, jumpsuits, or formal separates in vibrant hues.

The awards will take place the evening before the National Careers Leaders’ Conference (18 June, Royal National Hotel, London). 



Download the NEW UKCDA event app



Network, plan ahead and personalise your agenda

This year, we are excited to introduce our event app, replacing the printed programme to help us go 'greener' and enhance your event experience. Registered attendees will have access to the app a month before the event. You can network, message attendees, view the evening schedule and enjoy easy self check-in – all in one place!


Further information coming soon. 

 

Shortlisted nominations announced

We would like to thank all those who took the time to submit a nomination and we recognise the dedication, innovation and passion that all nominees have for their work. With judging now complete, we are pleased to share the shortlisted nominations for each category. 

Entertainment

Embracing this year’s ‘Carnival of Careers’ theme, the UK Career Development Awards will come alive with vibrant carnival dance performances – bringing energy, rhythm, and excitement to an evening of celebration, inspiration and networking.

What you can look forward to:

• Watch a lively carnival dance during the opening drinks reception, with photo opportunities and meet-and-greet moments with the performers.

• Enjoy interactive performances before the starters and after the main course, with performers engaging guests for an immersive dining experience. 

2025 Awards categories

There are eight awards categories:

  • Careers programme - education settings
  • Careers programme - non-education settings
  • Career development professional working in education settings
  • Career development professional working in non-education settings
  • Careers provider of the year
  • Innovative product, resource or technology
  • Contribution to the development of the profession

The Rodney Cox Lifetime Achievement Award is nominated, agreed and presented by the CDI Board, led by the elected President.

The Careers Leader of the Year Award: Nominations will now be made separately and announced at the National Careers Leaders’ Conference 2025. 

UKCDAs: Updates for 2025

We have made some important changes to the awards to encourage high-quality entries from across all areas of career development and shine the spotlight on the amazing work that CDPs do.

Read about the changes to the awards categories, the judging process and CDI promotion.

UKCDA AWARD

What are the UKCDAs?

The UK Career Development Awards (UKCDAs) are a high point in the CDI event calendar, when we recognise and celebrate excellence across the career development sector, in the UK and internationally.

Why attend?


The UKCDAs are an unmissable opportunity to come together with colleagues and friends, to recognise the hard work and brilliance in the career development sector, and celebrate peoples' achievements. Find out how the winners have made change that positively affects their clients or about a new product or service that is making waves in the sector...It's a great evening for networking and perhaps even gaining inspiration for your own work!


Hear from our 2024 winners about why the UKCDAs are important



Commercial opportunities 

Explore our sponsorship packages, marketing opportunities and everything you need to know to get involved in this exciting event celebrating excellence in career development. For further information, please refer to the sponsor brochure.

If you have any inquires regarding commercial opportunities, please contact: jen.ellin@thecdi.net 

If you have any queries about the awards nominations, please contact [email protected]. 

Having any trouble?

Having any trouble?

Do not hesitate to reach out to us anytime.

01384 376464