


The Independent Awards Standards Council – Trust Mark Scheme
What is the Awards Trust Mark?
The Awards Trust Mark scheme is a not-for-profit accreditation programme run by The Independent Awards Standards Council with the goal of, as the name suggests, enhancing trust between those entering awards schemes, and the organisations running them.
It is based around a voluntary code of conduct that awards organisers commit to. All levels of the Trust Mark require a director to sign up to this code of conduct. The highest levels (advanced and outstanding) not only have the most extensive list of elements within the code of conduct, but are also validated by calling a randomly selected awards judge and awards entrant.
The scheme is not-for-profit. All individuals on the council, and organisations supporting the scheme, monitor their investments and the fees charged to award organisers are purely to cover these costs. Any surplus is reinvested back into the scheme.
The scheme is already raising standards in the industry, and we would encourage everyone entering awards to encourage the organisers to commit to the code of conduct and thus earn an Awards Trust Mark.
If you are aware of an accredited award doing something that suggests they are not complying with the Awards Trust Mark code of conduct, then please contact us so we can investigate further.
What is the evidence for needing one?
The need for the Trust Mark, and the elements within an agreed code of conduct, are based on research by Boost Awards that gained input from both awards entrants and organisers. This research showed that about 80% of businesses entering awards would be influenced by such a scheme when picking awards to enter. It found that transparency was essential, and that most awards organisers were willing to consider such a scheme, for the benefit of all stakeholders within the awards industry. The research also showed that perceived trust in the judging process used in an awards scheme is one of the most influential factors for businesses in picking schemes to enter.
So how does the Awards Trust Mark work?
There are three tiers available as shown below (Click logos to apply):
What do we get for applying?
Any awards scheme that earns an accreditation:
- Can use the Awards Trust Mark logo, of the level of accreditation that they have earned, in any marketing for a period of 12 months after accreditation has been earned. When in digital form, the logo must link to the corresponding page on this www.awardstrustmark.org website which explains what that level accreditation means.
- Will have their awards scheme marked with a correspondingly coloured tick on the awards-list.co.uk and awards-list.com websites. These sites are the agreed locations where the accreditation level is published and can be verified. The research clearly shows that organisations choosing which awards to enter will lean towards those with Trust Marks.
Latest News
February 2022 – As we are all aware, the Hospitality and Tourism industries have been particularly hard hit by the pandemic. It is therefore all the more important that excellence and best practice in the face of these challenges gets the recognition it deserves. We are very pleased to announce that the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence has achieved Trust Mark accreditation. The scheme runs both regional and national events, championing the very best of the country’s tourism industry. Congratulations on your Trust Mark accreditation!
February 2022 – The Awards Trust Mark accredits well-organised awards from around the world. We are delighted to announce that the AUIS Innovation Awards has achieved Trust Mark accreditation status. The AUIS Innovation Awards highlights innovation excellence in institutions in the KRI region & Iraq, providing recognition for entrepreneurs and institutions in the region. Congratulations to all involved in organising them and for meeting the high standards required for accreditation.
January 2022 – The Awards Trust Mark is growing rapidly with approaching 100 awards now accredited as we start 2022. We are pleased to see that regional awards as well as national ones are signing up. These include the latest to achieve ‘Outstanding’ status – The Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards and The Northamptonshire Education Awards. Congratulations to the organisers, All Things Business on very well run, fair and transparent awards. Feedback included:
“The briefing pack, communication and pre judging information was professional and clear. The awards from start to finish were extremely well organised and highly professional. It was an outstanding event.” (Judge, NBEA Awards 2021)
December 2021 – Don’t Panic organise a huge number of awards within the digital industries and have for a number of years signed up to the Awards Trust Mark initiative. We are therefore delighted that a further seven of their flagship schemes have re-accredited, achieving the highest standard ‘Outstanding’. We received plenty of impressive feedback from both judges and entrants from each of the separate awards, here is one such example that highlights their hand standards and commitment to fairness, communication and transparency:
“These awards are really good, well organised and structured in terms of dates and information on how to enter. The technology works, the timings are made clear on the website. Scores are independent, once the initial scoring has been done the judging panel get together and discuss what’s come out on top, so it’s not just quantitative scoring, but also a qualitative discussion as well.” (Judge, UK Dev Awards 2021)
List of currently accredited awards
Award Scheme | Organiser | Industry | Level | Accreditation Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
Global Good Awards | Global Good Communications | Corporate Social Responsibilty | ![]() | 15/04/2022 |
Investors in People Awards | Investors in People | HR and Training | ![]() | 04/04/2022 |
Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards | All Things Business | Business | ![]() | 17/01/2022 |
Northamptonshire Education Awards | All Things Business | Education | ![]() | 17/01/2022 |
SBID International Design Awards | Society of British and International Interior Design (SBID) | Design & Innovation | ![]() | Pending |
The Card and Payments Awards | Card and Payment Awards Ltd | Financial Services | ![]() | 31/08/2021 |
The Diana Awards | The Diana Award | Youth work | ![]() | 10/11/2020 |
UK Paid Media Awards | Don't Panic | Marketing PR Events & Advertising | ![]() | 16/12/2021 |
APAC Search Awards | Don't Panic | Marketing PR Events & Advertising | ![]() | 16/12/2021 |
Canadian Search Awards | Don't Panic | Marketing PR Events & Advertising | ![]() | 16/12/2021 |
European Content Awards | Don't Panic | Marketing PR Events & Advertising | ![]() | 16/12/2021 |
UK Company Culture Awards | Don't Panic | Marketing PR Events & Advertising | ![]() | 16/12/2021 |
UK Dev Awards | Don't Panic | Marketing PR Events & Advertising | ![]() | 16/12/2021 |
UK Search Awards | Don't Panic | Marketing PR Events & Advertising | ![]() | 16/12/2021 |
UK Complaint Handling Awards | Awards International | Customer Contact | ![]() | 14/02/2022 |
UK Customer Experience Awards | Awards International | Customer Contact | ![]() | 14/02/2022 |
UK Employee Experience Awards | Awards International | Business | ![]() | 14/02/2022 |
UK Business Awards | Awards International | Business | ![]() | 14/02/2022 |
UK Business and Innovation Awards | Awards International | Business | ![]() | 14/02/2022 |
International Customer Experience Awards | Awards International | Customer Contact | ![]() | 14/02/2022 |
International Digital Experience Awards | Awards International | Digital | ![]() | 14/02/2022 |
South West Tourism Excellence Awards | Services for Tourism | Travel & Tourism | ![]() | 06/07/2021 |
Cornwall Tourism Awards | Services for Tourism | Travel & Tourism | ![]() | 06/07/2021 |
Bristol, Bath and Somerset Awards | Services for Tourism | Travel & Tourism | ![]() | 06/07/2021 |
Beautiful South Awards | Services for Tourism | Travel & Tourism | ![]() | 06/07/2021 |
Devon Tourism Awards | Services for Tourism | Travel & Tourism | ![]() | 06/07/2021 |
Dorset Tourism Awards | Services for Tourism | Travel & Tourism | ![]() | 06/07/2021 |
Learning Science Teaching Innovation Awards | Learning Science Ltd | Education | ![]() | 11/04/2022 |
Registered Trainer of the Year Award | Trainer Courses Ltd | Training | ![]() | 08/04/2022 |
Customer Happiness Summit & Awards | Plan3Media | Customer Contact | ![]() | 22/02/2022 |
International Real Estate Community Management Summit (IRECMS) Dubai Awards | Plan3Media | Planning and Property | ![]() | 22/02/2022 |
VisitEngland Awards for Excellence | VisitEngland | Travel & Tourism | ![]() | 09/02/2022 |
AUIS Innovation Awards | AUIS Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center | Business | ![]() | 01/02/2022 |
Business Champion Awards | Capital Business Media | Business | ![]() | 05/11/2021 |
Care Home Awards | Stratford Projects Ltd | Health & Social Care | ![]() | 21/01/2022 |
Care Sector Supplier Awards | Stratford Projects Ltd | Health & Social Care | ![]() | 21/01/2022 |
Digital Signage Awards | Stratford Projects Ltd | Marketing PR Events & Advertising | ![]() | 21/01/2022 |
E-Mobility Awards | Stratford Projects Ltd | Transport & Logistics | ![]() | 21/01/2022 |
Home Care Awards | Stratford Projects Ltd | Health & Social Care | ![]() | 21/01/2022 |
Learning Excellence Awards | Stratford Projects Ltd | HR and Training | ![]() | 21/01/2022 |
Online Retailer Awards | Stratford Projects Ltd | Retail | ![]() | 21/01/2022 |
Vehicle Recycling Excellence Awards | Stratford Projects Ltd | Transport & Logistics | ![]() | 21/01/2022 |
Contact Centre Excellence awards | Revolution Events | Customer Contact | ![]() | 05/03/2021 |
eCommerce Awards | Revolution Events | Retail & Consumer Goods | ![]() | 05/03/2021 |
Family Law Award | LexisNexis | Law | ![]() | 25/03/2020 |
LexisNexis Legal Awards | LexisNexis | Law | ![]() | 09/09/2020 |
MENA Search Awards | Don't Panic | Marketing PR Events & Advertising | ![]() | Pending |
Northern Dev Awards | Don't Panic | IT & Telecommunications | ![]() | Pending |
Northern Digital Awards | Don't Panic | IT & Telecommunications | ![]() | Pending |
Northern eCommerce Awards | Don't Panic | Retail & Consumer Goods | ![]() | Pending |
PFM Awards | IML Group | Planning and Property | ![]() | 06/10/2020 |
Security & Fire Excellence Awards | Revolution Events | Health & Safety | ![]() | 05/03/2021 |
The Inside Out Awards | MYWW | Marketing PR Events & Advertising | ![]() | 23/02/2021 |
The Leadership Excellence Awards | GDS | Business Leaders | ![]() | 06/10/2020 |
The Gulf Sustainabilty Awards | Awards International | Corporate Social Responsibility | ![]() | 14/02/2022 |
Turkey Customer Experience Awards | Awards International | Customer Contact | ![]() | 14/02/2022 |
Asia Customer Experience Awards | Awards International | Customer Contact | ![]() | 14/02/2022 |
US Customer Experience Awards | Awards International | Customer Contact | ![]() | 14/02/2022 |
European Search Awards | Don't Panic | Marketing PR Events & Advertising | ![]() | 12/05/2021 |
Global Search Awards | Don't Panic | Marketing PR Events & Advertising | ![]() | 12/05/2021 |
US Agency Awards | Don't Panic | Marketing PR Events & Advertising | ![]() | 12/05/2021 |
UK App Awards | Don't Panic | IT & Telecommunications | ![]() | 12/05/2021 |
UK Business Tech Awards | Don't Panic | IT & Telecommunications | ![]() | 12/05/2021 |
Global Business Tech Awards | Don't Panic | IT & Telecommunications | ![]() | 12/05/2021 |
UK Social Media Awards | Don't Panic | Marketing PR Events & Advertising | ![]() | 12/05/2021 |
UK Content Awards | Don't Panic | Marketing PR Events & Advertising | ![]() | 12/05/2021 |
Global Content Awards | Don't Panic | Marketing PR Events & Advertising | ![]() | 12/05/2021 |
US Search Awards | Don't Panic | Marketing PR Events & Advertising | ![]() | 12/05/2021 |
US Social Media Awards | Don't Panic | Marketing PR Events & Advertising | ![]() | Pending |
Global Biddable Media Awards | Don't Panic | Marketing PR Events & Advertising | ![]() | 12/05/2021 |
Global Digital Excellence Awards | Don't Panic | Marketing PR Events & Advertising | ![]() | 12/05/2021 |
Global Marketing Awards | Don't Panic | Marketing PR Events & Advertising | ![]() | 12/05/2021 |
Global eCommerce Awards | Don't Panic | Retail & Consumer Goods | ![]() | 12/05/2021 |
UK eCommerce Awards | Don't Panic | Retail & Consumer Goods | ![]() | 12/05/2021 |
UK Digital Growth Awards | Don't Panic | Marketing PR Events & Advertising | ![]() | 12/05/2021 |
What is the Independent Awards Standards Council?
The Independent Awards Standards Council (IASC) and the Awards Trust Mark are a non-profit making exercise with the sole aim of promoting trust in the award industry as a whole for the benefit of all stakeholders. By applying for an Awards Trust Mark we hope that you will be contributing to this aim and keep within the spirit of its intentions. Please contact the Independent Awards Standards Council directly should you wish to become a member. Current members are as follows:

Chris Robinson
MD & Founder Boost Awards

Paula Kelsey
Owner Cloud 9 Event Management Limited & Founder ‘Fresh Awards’

Karen Sutton
Founder The Global Good Awards

Louise Turner
Founder & Chief Wordsmith, Awards Writers

Victoria Sibley
Marketing Manager, AwardStage