CIH Awarding Organisation Learner of The Year 2026 is announced

The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Awarding Organisation (AO) has held its second annual competition that highlights the achievements of its most exceptional learners.

The CIH Learner of the Year Award recognises standout learners studying at CIH approved study centres who have exceeded expectations, overcome challenges and gone above and beyond – academically, professionally or personally – while completing their CIH qualification or end point assessment. 
  
The CIH AO can announce that the 2026 winner is Steph Wood, income recovery manager at Amplius, who studied the CIH Level 4 Certificate in Housing with Centre for Partnership through the GEM Programme.

Steph was awarded the prize after demonstrating exceptional commitment to her professional development, consistently exceeding expectations in both her studies and management role. 

The awards panel also selected Steph as the winner due to her growing confidence, resilience, and ability to influence positive change, while balancing significant organisational change and personal challenges.

They also noted her dedication to inclusive leadership, and her natural ability to uplift and motivate those around her – which has strengthened team engagement, and the value of learning and ongoing professional development across the organisation she works for.

Commenting on the 2026 CIH Learner of the Year Award, CIH engagement officer Sue Bailey said: “We have been struck by the enthusiasm to learn, eagerness to improve and all-round positive, can-do attitude shown by all of the learners that have been nominated.

“Well done to Steph, who we chose as the winner from an exceptionally strong field of entries. She embodies all these qualities, and more, with her learning and focus on continuous improvement making a lasting impact on her colleagues. They have collectively used the knowledge she has gained to improve the services they deliver to customers and to enhance organisational ways of working, which is exactly why our CIH qualifications and CIH study centres are in place.

“The high standard of entries that we received this year also highlights to us the promise clearly shown by the next generation of CIH learners as they move ahead with their careers, applying both their learning and the professionalism they have developed into their future roles in the housing sector.

“We would like to place on record our thanks to all of the CIH approved study centres that are located across the UK for taking the time to firstly consider who to nominate and then putting them forward for the award.”

Steph will receive a £50 cash prize and a certificate of excellence, and she has been nominated for the Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB) Learner of the Year.