Claire House’s Janet Abraham wins Legacy Giving Award

Claire House is delighted to announce that Janet Abraham has been awarded the title of Legacy Champion of the Year at the Legacy Giving Awards 2026, recognising and celebrating her outstanding achievements, talent and dedication in the legacy sector.

Fourteen winners, selected from 91 finalists, were announced during the ceremony in London. The event was attended by more than 250 guests, bringing together legacy professionals from across the charity sector to recognise and celebrate the significant contribution of legacy income for charities and their beneficiaries.

The judging panel, comprising 15 prominent figures from the legacy giving community, assessed entries based on ambition, excellence and outcome to determine the winners. To be a winner of one of these awards, despite tough competition, is a mark of real achievement for Claire House.

The 2026 winners represent a diverse range of charities, agencies and partners, from national organisations to specialist causes, all demonstrating outstanding commitment to engaging supporters and maximising the impact of legacy giving.

“Janet was nominated because she is a transformative leader in legacy giving whose vision has reshaped both Claire House and the wider hospice sector. She created and evolved an insight-driven legacy strategy that has inspired a culture of legacy confidence across her organisation.

“Nationally, Janet sparked the conversation that led to Hospice UK’s first UK-wide legacy campaign, championing ethical, evidence-based messaging and sector-wide collaboration. Her strategic clarity, advocacy and commitment to best practice have made her a driving force behind the future of hospice legacies,” said Gillian Nove, Director of Income Generation at Claire House.

Polly Avgherinos, CEO at MiExact, commented: “Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and highly commended organisations. The scale and quality of entries we received is a testament to the dedication and expertise across the sector. It was fantastic to come together and celebrate the achievements of so many organisations and individuals who are pushing boundaries and delivering real impact through legacy giving.”

Ashley Rowthorn, Executive Director, Charities, Legacy Futures and Smee & Ford, said: “The calibre of entries this year has been exceptional, reflecting a sector that continues to grow in confidence, innovation and impact. It is especially meaningful to mark the 10th anniversary of the Crispin Ellison Bursary, which plays an important role in supporting professional development and nurturing future talent within legacy administration. Together, the winners and finalists demonstrate the strength and ambition of the legacy giving community.

The unique work of legacy teams has not always been widely understood and appreciated, so we’re delighted Janet is the winner of Legacy Champion of the Year. The work of Claire House has been recognised in an exceptional field of nominees, each showcasing successes and achievements over the last year. Well done Janet and your team - you can be very proud of your achievements.”

Winners and highly commended projects were selected following a rigorous judging stage ahead of the Legacy Giving Awards ceremony. The full list of winners is here.