Derby City Council Recognised with Highly Commended at the MJ Awards

Congratulations to Derby City Council on being awarded Highly Commended in the AI Innovation in Local Government category at the 2026 MJ Awards.

The MJ Awards are among the most respected awards in local government, celebrating the councils, teams and individuals delivering meaningful change for residents and communities across the UK. To be recognised amongst such a strong field of finalists is a fantastic achievement.

Derby's recognition reflects something that has become increasingly clear over the past two years: AI transformation is no longer about individual tools or isolated pilots. It is about rethinking how councils operate, how staff are supported, and how residents access services.

What makes Derby's approach particularly significant is its ambition to move beyond experimentation and towards a genuinely organisation-wide model. Through a single, unified AI platform, the council has brought together resident services, staff productivity and operational transformation, underpinned by governance, inclusion and clear accountability.

The programme has delivered measurable outcomes, including improved access to services, multilingual support, reduced waiting times, enhanced staff productivity and millions of pounds in identified savings. It has demonstrated how innovation can be used to protect frontline services and improve experiences.

We were particularly pleased to see the judges recognise Derby's pioneering work in creating what has become a blueprint for wider local government transformation. The council has consistently shared its learning, experiences and lessons with peers across the sector, helping other authorities explore how AI can be adopted safely, ethically and effectively.

We would also like to congratulate all of the finalists and winners across this year's MJ Awards. The quality of innovation, leadership and public service on display demonstrates the incredible work taking place across local government despite the significant challenges councils continue to face.

At ICS.AI, we are proud to support Derby City Council on its transformation journey and delighted to see the team's hard work recognised on such a prestigious national stage.

Congratulations to everyone involved.

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