Lucy Harold, Applied Biomedical Science BSc Honours apprentice at the University of Westminster, has won the Higher/Degree Apprentice of the Year category of the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards 2026. The awards spotlight the impact of apprenticeships, celebrating outstanding apprentices, employers, training providers and skills champions.
The winners were announced on 21 May at an awards celebration evening at the University of Oxford’s Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities.
The Higher/Degree Apprentice of the Year category, sponsored by Grundon, recognises apprentices who have been in post for at least nine months and have excelled in their work, learning and development and made exceptional contributions to their workplaces.
Lucy’s work in the Microbiology Department at Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) NHS Foundation Trust, supported by her supervisor Reena Chohan, involves routine diagnostic microbiology, alongside a quality improvement and academic project focused on optimising blood culture volumes in patients with suspected sepsis. Through this project, she has investigated how adjusting sample volumes can improve diagnostic accuracy and ultimately enhance patient outcomes. Her work has been recognised for demonstrating a strong understanding that behind every sample is a patient and she approaches the project with clinical insight, compassion and a level of professionalism beyond what is typical at this early stage of a career.
About the nomination, Lucy said: “It is hard to put into words what this recognition means to me. My apprenticeship has challenged me, developed me professionally and personally and given me opportunities I am extremely grateful to have at such a young age. Winning the Higher/ Degree Apprentice Award was already something I never expected, so to then be named Oxfordshire’s Apprentice of the Year was a complete surprise and a moment I will never forget!”
The nomination reflects the University of Westminster’s ongoing commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) 4: Quality Education. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Learn more about Higher and Degree Apprenticeships at the University of Westminster.
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