We are thrilled to announce that Aileen McNiven, Head of Business Services at ILF Scotland, has won the Family Friendly Champion of the Yearat the 2025 Working Families Best Practice Awards.
The awards, hosted by Working Families, the UK’s national charity for working parents and carers, took place on Thursday 26 June, at London’s historic Apothecaries’ Hall. These annual awards celebrate the UK’s most forward-thinking employers and individuals who are leading the way in creating supportive, flexible, and inclusive workplaces.
Aileen received the award in recognition of her strong commitment to building a truly family-friendly and flexible working environment at ILF Scotland. Her leadership has helped create a culture where staff can successfully balance work with family or caring responsibilities, something that is now firmly part of who we are as an organisation.
This is a highly respected and competitive national award, given to those who demonstrate innovation, influence, and passion for improving employees’ lives. Aileen’s quiet but determined leadership has made a lasting impact at ILF Scotland, and we are proud to see her work recognised on a UK-wide stage.
Aileen said, “I am delighted to have won the UK-wide Family Friendly Champion of the Year award.
“This recognition is a testament to the outstanding teamwork, passion, and dedication within ILF Scotland in pursuing our shared goals to support disabled people over the last 10 years in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has reached out with their congratulations, it is very much appreciated.”
Aileen joins a list of impressive winners from across the UK who are all helping to set new standards for how workplaces support their people. She stands alongside other organisations, from small charities to international companies and even the armed forces, who are showing that better ways of working are possible for everyone.
Jane van Zyl, Chief Executive of Working Families, said:
“Congratulations to Aileen McNiven of ILF Scotland and to all the winners of this year’s Best Practice Awards.
“Yet again, we have been blown away by the calibre of our finalists. Every single one is showing that any organisation can build flexibility and family-friendly workplaces, regardless of size or sector.”
Becca Maberly, author, parenting expert and Working Families Ambassador, who helped judge the awards, added:
“The message from all the finalists was clear, work and family life can be successfully balanced with a positive impact for families, business and the wider workforce. It is so uplifting to feel like real change is in motion and dare to hope that other employers will follow suit.”
At ILF Scotland, we know first-hand how important this work is. Thanks to Aileen’s leadership, we are proud to be an organisation that genuinely values and supports our people, both in and out of the workplace.
Please join us in congratulating Aileen on this incredible achievement!
