Recognising our people 2026 Ulster Excellence Winners

Favour Okpohs is the joint winner of the Rising Star Award.

As Vice President of the Students’ Union (Belfast campus), Favour Okpohs has been deeply committed to representing, supporting, connecting and empowering students throughout their entire university journey, from arrival to graduation.

She works on raising awareness of the Students’ Union, encouraging student involvement and engagement by inducting them as they arrive, while helping students build strong networks through clubs and societies. 

She actively promotes sustainability across campus by championing reusable items over disposables and leading initiatives such as the establishment of the Belfast Wellbeing Garden.

She has successfully lobbied for additional food options on campus menus, student discounts and the introduction of the Student Pantry, in collaboration with the University, in Semester one to support those affected by the cost-of-living crisis.

She supported Project Pink to promote the safety of women and girls and actively promotes unity against racism.

Through advocacy, collaboration and leadership, she is consistently working to improve student wellbeing, inclusion and the overall student experience.

Favour is a lovely person, making everyone feeling welcome and included. She has established strong working relationships with students and staff and is always keen to get involved and support university initiatives.

Favour is a shining example of a Rising Star at Ulster University.

Richard Beggs is the joint winner of the Excellence in People Management Award

Richard Beggs has delivered exceptional leadership during his year as Interim Head of CPPE, bringing together academic and professional services colleagues through a calm, people centred and relational approach. Guided by his pedagogy of kindness, Richard has embedded the values of People, Place, and Partnership into everyday practice, shaping a culture grounded in empathy, collaboration, and mutual respect. His flexible, thoughtful management has enabled individuals to enhance their potential while strengthening the collective identity of the Centre.

The results of his leadership are tangible and significant. His swift, compassionate response to a colleague’s family emergency ensured the crisis was fully supported with minimal disruption, reinforcing trust and wellbeing within the team. His collaborative adjustment of another colleagues working hours created protected space for CPD while maintaining operational stability. Under Richard’s stewardship, CPPE has developed a coherent, shared identity leading to increased job satisfaction, stronger belonging, and improved productivity across the Centre.

John Darragh, Safe & Healthy Relationships Adviser in Student Wellbeing for the Outstanding Contribution Award (individual).

John has been with Ulster University since October 2023 and has made a huge impact across the organisation since his arrival. 
He has been instrumental in redeveloping the Student Safety focus from specifically sexual consent to the much broader concept of developing a student and staff community of active bystanders to challenge negative behaviours in all forms.

John has led on the development and delivery of the Green Dot Active Bystander campaign and through his training has created over 2,500 ‘Green Dots’ in our student and staff populations since its initial launch in September 2024, which is a hugely impactful achievement for Ulster University.

Estates Services – Planning and Development was the winner of the Outstanding Contribution (Team) Award

As an exceptionally dedicated and committed cross campus professional services team we fully embraced the University’s strategic vision for Derry~Londonderry campus and the incredibly challenging requirements to provide additional teaching accommodation concurrent with strategic campus planning and enhancements to enable the growth in student numbers and the realisation of the vision.

Despite complex space planning, technical and statutory challenges and operating within a constrained program driven by funder deadlines, working collaboratively and inclusively with consultants, and a range of internal and external stakeholders brave leadership and proactive well informed decision making underpinned by excellent engagement and communications delivered new teaching accommodation within a timescale never previously achieved.

This achievement exemplifies the University’s values and commitment to creating world class educational facilities to support the region wide delivery of higher education and demonstrates how high performing teams can turn challenge into opportunity and deliver excellence with integrity consistently together.

Since joining the University this year, Rosemary has had an exceptional impact on the Veterinary Nursing team. She has shaped a brand-new technician role with professionalism and initiative, bringing valuable clinical expertise that strengthens teaching and student learning. Rosie supports practical sessions with clarity and kindness, helping students build confidence and achieve strong outcomes. She consistently goes above and beyond, supporting staff and ensuring the smooth running of the course. Even as a new colleague, she contributes to the technician community by sharing good practice. Rosie truly embodies the University’s values and is highly deserving of this award.