We won UK Dev Agency 2023 at UK Dev Awards
We are delighted to say that we were ‘winners’ at the UK Dev Awards 2023.
We debated the pros and cons of entering award schemes for a while.
Some of us saw it as a brilliant opportunity to showcase our work. But others worried it would prove time-consuming, expensive, and of dubious value.
Some awards schemes have a low bar. You pay your entry fee and you get a gong. Others are for big international agencies that we can’t easily compete with.
So, after a bit of research, we settled on the UK Dev Awards, run by renowned events agency, Don’t Panic. These awards are well established and well respected, with some 25 categories, an international panel of judges, and lots of entrants similar to ourselves.
UK Dev Awards 2023 – finalists in three categories
We entered three categories.
1. App of the Year for SaveMoneyCutCarbon.
SMCC helps people save money as well as the planet. Their website is full of innovative, energy saving products and appliances. Our Home App makes it easy for people to access these on their phone and swap their existing products for affordable, energy efficient alternatives. See the full case study here.
Judges’ comments:
“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.
This site had to be easily accessible and inclusive for a wide range of audiences, including NHS staff, patients, and the local community. Meeting the exacting standards set out in the latest web accessibility guidelines (WCAG 2.1 Level AA) was a key requirement. See the full case study here.
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).
This award celebrates the too often unsung and under-appreciated expertise of developers who do the unseen, ‘under the bonnet’ work on websites and bespoke digital developments. It recognises “agencies with 10-25 employees with a proven track record of working collaboratively and cohesively with third parties.”
We were delighted to get through to the finals in all three categories.
On the night Darren and Matt represented Fellowship at a swanky event at the Montcalm Hotel at Marble Arch. Awards were announced and given out as they enjoyed dinner and refreshments, chatting with new and old contacts from other agencies.
As tensions mounted, the first of our categories went to someone else. As did the second one.
Winners of Dev Agency of the Year, UK Dev Awards
Then finally came the big one – Dev Agency of the Year (medium size). Darren and Matt could barely believe it as Fellowship’s name was read out.
The judges said: “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.”
Big smiles, hugs, photos, celebrations and congratulations all round.
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.
