Z/Yen’s involvement with Payroll Giving continues apace, with Z/Yen organising the first ever National Payroll Giving Awards for the Institute of Fundraising and HM Government. The seminal event took place earlier this month at HM Treasury. The ceremony was hosted by TV money saving guru Martin Lewis, who managed to make the ceremony both entertaining and informative (a rare gift). The awards were handed out by the Right Honourable Jane Kennedy MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury.

Linda Cook and Sonya Raymond did the real hard work organising the event. Z/Yen folk were sworn to secrecy about the winners, of course, but our own Ian Harris was greatly honoured to Chair the Judging Panel, so he knew the winners before anyone else. Secrets are difficult to keep when there is a one hour reception before the awards ceremony, with several of the short-listed organisations trying to pump the Z/Yen team for inside information. Indeed, even the normally “scrutable” Ian Harris (if you have a game of poker against Ian, go for cash, his face normally tells all) was surprisingly inscrutable on this occasion. He never, never budged, as they say. A superb evening was had by all. You can find out more about the awards from the Payroll Giving website.