The UK Public Health Register (UKPHR) Employer of the Year Award celebrates employers which, through practical support for practitioner registration, are committed to developing a highly skilled workforce dedicated to improving health and reducing inequalities.

Councillor Obaida Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said: "We are incredibly proud that our Public Health team has been recognised at a national level. This not only reflects the strength of the team but also the council’s wider corporate commitment to nurturing local talent, investing in staff, and creating opportunities for people to grow and thrive in their careers.

"It is a reflection of our belief that, by supporting our workforce, we can deliver better outcomes for the communities we serve.”

The council was named Employer of the Year at the UKPHR Innovation in Public Health Awards 2025 last week, with judges praising the team for its exceptional work in supporting practitioner development to tackle health inequalities and to help people live longer, healthier lives.

The council’s Public Health team works in partnership with health, social care, and voluntary and community organisations across the city. Together, they lead on tackling health inequalities and helping people in Wolverhampton to live longer, healthier lives.

Through initiatives such as a practitioner learning hub, a Registrar led ‘lunch and learn’ programme, and a strong academic partnership with the University of Wolverhampton, the team has created a culture of continuous learning and professional development. Staff are encouraged and supported to pursue UKPHR practitioner registration, with mentoring from trained assessors and opportunities to gain practical experience aligned to national standards.

The council’s strategic priority of getting more local people into good jobs and training underpins this approach, ensuring that workforce development is not only about professional excellence but also about creating pathways for the city's residents to enter and progress in public health careers.

The council was previously named UKPHR Employer of the Year back in 2022 after undertaking a radical programme of workforce development to nurture a highly skilled Public Health workforce that can meet the range of health challenges faced by the people of Wolverhampton.