UKeiG is pleased to announce the winner - or winners, in this case - of our Early Career Award 2016. The Award celebrates extra-ordinary and inspirational enterprise in early-career professionals who are members of CILIP and who have no more than five years work experience since gaining their qualification. It is presented each year to the individual or team of individuals that have made the most inspirational or enterprising difference - either in their workplace or to the wider profession. UKeiG is looking for a level of professional commitment that has resulted in achievements beyond what was expected of them in the workplace.

This year's four worthy winners who will receive their cheque and trophy during the CILIP Conference in Brighton (12-13 July) are Amy Finnegan, Catherine McManamon, Helen Monagle and Siobhan Cottam - the founders of the very successful New Library Professionals Network (NLPN). As a direct result of attending the 2012 CILIP New Professionals' Day NLPN was founded: a network that aimed to ensure that new professionals in the North of England could attend, for free, events that explored emerging trends and skills in the library and information sector. Since then, there have been nine CPD events - study days, a teach-meet session at the LILAC conference, three informal quizzes and two visits - and a host of social media activities. The four say that they have filled gaps in their own CPD knowledge as well as creating opportunities for their peers to do the same - filling a void by delivering free CPD events in the North of England. As one of the supporting statements noted:

“The four founder members have all demonstrated a level of professional commitment that has resulted in achievements way beyond what is expected of them in the workplace. They organise all activities in their own time and are continually looking for innovative ways to engage with new professionals through social media, development events and informal activities such as quizzes and visits.”

High praise, which neatly sums up why they are this year's winners.