Awards & Honours for Financial Education Instructors in the UK

Educators are the single most important influence on participants’ success – far more significant than any individual curriculum or resource. At the National Financial Educators Council, we celebrate the people across the UK who turn knowledge into lasting behaviour change and positive outcomes for learners. We honour financial education instructors and leaders whose work delivers measurable learning gains, builds sustainable programmes, and strengthens financial literacy advocacy.

We promote community-wide recognition and awareness through our Financial Educators Day award, as well as by highlighting educators who demonstrate measurable learner outcomes in our Programme Spotlights. Together, these initiatives showcase the educators who lead by example and create models that other communities across the UK can replicate.

National Financial Educator Day United Kingdom

Financial Educators Day honours the individuals who work to strengthen the financial capability of people within their communities. While we take the opportunity to acknowledge traditional educators, we also extend our appreciation to volunteers, financial professionals, engaged citizens, and anyone else who helps others build financial literacy. Each of these contributors plays an essential role in this effort.

The day is observed on the last Friday of April each year. Early support from politicians, public figures, and organisations within the financial literacy sector has helped establish this date as one of recognition, celebration, and advocacy.

Financial Educators Day was first introduced in 2014. Since then, more than 1,000 individuals from 43 countries have received awards recognising their contributions – including recipients from England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

Financial Educators Day Nominations

Your Name (The person nominating.)(Required)
Name of nominee to be printed on certificate. (You may nominate yourself.)(Required)
Select the best description of how / what your nominee contributes:(Required)

Program Publicity and Highlights

No matter the size or scope of the programme, we value every patron’s contribution to our shared mission. Their efforts help turn standards into real initiatives that change lives. Below are a few spotlight stories that illustrate the difference NFEC graduates and patrons are making in communities around the world.

We celebrate these successes to share lessons: what was successful, what was altered, and how others can replicate similar results. If you have a programme to nominate for a spotlight, or would like support in turning your outcomes into a publishable case study, please submit your story.

Program Highlights

UK – Financial Capability / Literacy Awards (LFBF & MAIAs – 2025)

These are among the first UK-specific financial capability awards recognizing leaders in financial education.

  • Leon Ward (CEO, Money Ready)
  • Fleur Iannazzo (Author, financial education advocate)
  • Maddy Keaveney (The Economist Educational Foundation)
  • Harriet Boland (The Economist Educational Foundation)
  • Stephanie Fitzgerald (The Money Charity)
  • Katherine Tilsed (The Money Charity)
  • Kirsty Brownlie (Aberdeen)
  • Tasha Hoskins (GAIN – Girls Are Investors)
  • Sherin Griesser (GAIN – Girls Are Investors)

Source.

Ireland – IOB Future of Finance / Education Awards (2025)

Recognizes professionals advancing finance education and capability.

  • Elaine McGonigle – Professional Diploma in Financial Advice (Top Graduate)
  • Caoimhe McKernan – Professional Diploma in Financial Services

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Ireland – European Money Quiz (Financial Education Competition Winners)

National winners representing Ireland in Europe’s largest financial literacy competition:

2025 Winners

  • Jodie Komolafe
  • Richelle Alexander

Source.

2024 Winners

  • Maria Miller
  • Lily O’Connor

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Ireland – Global Money Week (Financial Education Initiatives)

  • Multiple student-led financial literacy projects recognized nationally (individual names vary by project and school)

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UK / Ireland – Program & Institutional Recognition (Not Individual Awards but Relevant)

CISI Future Foundation (UK & Ireland)

  • Awarded funding to Junior Achievement Ireland for financial literacy programs

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