2026 Awards Case Study: Resetting Flexibility with a Colleague-Led System with BT Group

Flexibility has long been part of the story BT Group tells about working in customer operations. Colleagues could earn time back. Managers wanted to support work–life balance. The intent was right. The experience, however, was less so.

2026 Awards Case Study: Learning from Expressions of Dissatisfaction at AXA

Across customer operations, organisations are surrounded by signals of customer experience. Many are rich. Few are fully understood. At AXA Insurance, one of the most underused signals was Expressions of Dissatisfaction — moments where customers expressed frustration or disappointment, but where the interaction did not meet the formal definition of a complaint.

These moments were captured manually by frontline advisors. The process added complexity at the end of demanding calls. Decisions relied on individual interpretation. And while the data existed, it rarely translated into learning or meaningful change. Dissatisfaction was recorded, but not truly understood.

Partnerships

Technology is the key enabler for success in our industry and it is key that relationships between end users and technology providers continue to improve, so raising standards in customer operations. 
NCFE x SVL were totally aligned in the requirements from a new CCaaS implementation and how this delivered a seamless journey to delivery of a truly omni channel platform. 
NatWest wanted to offer more than just the minimum for their vulnerable customers, so worked with National Support Network to offer trusted support that went beyond just banking.

Awards Panel Discussion

Hear best practice from a panel of individual and team award winners across Planning, Insight and Learning/Knowledge. Featuring SSCL, LNER, OVO Energy and HGS.

Shaun Jardine, SSCL

Shaun Jardine, Planning Manager of the Year, SSCL describes how he has rebuilt the foundations of planning, introducing new techniques, tools and thinking to build trust ensuring Planning have a seat at the Leadership table

BT Group

BT Group explain how they connected governance, planning, technology, and leadership into a joined-up operating model. 

Innovation of the Year, NFU Mutual

Innovation of the Year Award winner, NFU Mutual, tell their award winning story of how they connected governance, planning, technology, and leadership into a joined-up operating model that demonstrates how to deliver strategic transformation at enterprise scale. 

The Evolution of Planning

Some things will always matter. Businesses will always need to balance customer demand, employee needs, and business goals. Planning will still rely on data, but how that data is used will keep evolving.

Technology will continue to speed things up. AI and automation will take over more of the routine tasks, but that doesn’t mean planners will become less important.

2025 Awards Case Study: Betting on Innovation - Sabio x Flutter Entertainment

How a Global Sports Betting & iGaming Leader transformed Workforce Management in the UK & Ireland

2025 Awards Case Study: WEM implementation in action - Verint x Novuna

Novuna’s old contact centre setup slowed everything down. Verint helped streamline tools, improve scheduling, and slash digital response times. Staff now feel supported, customers get answers faster, and data drives improvements. Not just an upgrade—a whole new way of working.

2025 Awards Case Study: How implementation of Calabrio and AWS transformed customer service - SVL x Trainline

Trainline revamped its contact centre with SVL. Call routing was simplified, handling times dropped, and coaching time rose. Tech did the heavy lifting, so teams could focus on helping customers. A solid partnership that made day-to-day work easier for everyone.

2025 Awards Case Study: Saving time and millions with digital workers - Robiquity x UiPath x Aldermore

Aldermore automated 40 processes in a year, saving £3 million. With Robiquity and UiPath, they built 65 digital workers and upskilled their own team. The goal wasn’t just efficiency—it was to free people up for more meaningful work. And it worked.

2025 Awards Case Study: Redefining workforce flexibility - QStory x eBay

eBay wanted to give their customer service teams more control over their schedules. QStory made it happen. Shift flexibility skyrocketed, managers spent less time on admin, and employees felt trusted. The result? A system where everyone wins—better efficiency for the business and a happier, more engaged workforce.

2025 Awards Case Study: Delivering more for employees whilst protecting performance through WFM - Peopleware x Tructyre

Peopleware’s flexible scheduling cut hours and improved forecasting, boosting morale and making staff feel valued. With fewer backlogs and happier teams, Tructyre created a more sustainable way to work.

2025 Awards Case Study: Smoothing out scheduling - Peopleware x Jet2 Holidays

Jet2’s reps used spreadsheets and PDFs—confusing, slow, and inconsistent. Peopleware brought in real-time scheduling across Europe. Now managers have visibility, compliance is easier, and rostering takes minutes, not days. A smart system that’s helped Jet2 grow without added stress.