# St David Awards

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{{Short description|Annual award for Welsh citizens}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox award
| name        = Saint David Awards/Gwobrau Dewi Sant
| awarded_for = Exceptional achievements 
| presenter   = [Welsh Government](/source/Welsh_Government)
| country     = [Wales](/source/Wales)
| year        = 13 March 2014
| website     = [https://www.gov.wales/st-david-awards https://www.gov.wales/st-david-awards]
}}
[[File:All about the St David Awards 2015 Popeth ynghylch Gwobrau Dewi Sant 2015.webm|thumb|[Carwyn Jones](/source/Carwyn_Jones), First Minister of Wales, presents the winners of the 2015 St David Awards]]
[[File:Gareth Bale - Teilyngwr y Wobr Dewi Sant am Chwaraeon St David Award Finalist for Sport.webm|thumb|[Gareth Bale](/source/Gareth_Bale) at the 2016 St David Awards]]
The '''Saint David Awards''' ([Welsh](/source/Welsh_language): ''Gwobrau Dewi Sant'') are an annual government awards scheme which recognizes exceptional achievements by [Welsh citizens](/source/Welsh_people) within [Wales](/source/Wales), the UK and globally. They are the highest accolades that the [Welsh Government](/source/Welsh_Government) confers on its civilians.<ref>{{cite web|title=About the awards|url=https://www.gov.wales/st-david-awards/about-awards?lang=en|website=St David Awards}}</ref>

Previous winners include [Cerys Matthews](/source/Cerys_Matthews), [Michael Sheen](/source/Michael_Sheen), [Tanni Grey-Thompson](/source/Tanni_Grey-Thompson), and [Bryn Terfel](/source/Bryn_Terfel).<ref>{{cite web|title=Past awards|url=https://www.gov.wales/st-david-awards/winners-and-finalists|website=St David Awards}}</ref>

== History ==
On the 27 February 2013 the [Welsh Conservatives](/source/Welsh_Conservatives) opened a debate surrounding Welsh Cultural Identity in the [Senedd](/source/Senedd), proposing that Wales should introduce a Welsh specific [Honours System](/source/Orders%2C_decorations%2C_and_medals_of_the_United_Kingdom). Following a Senedd debate, [Carwyn Jones](/source/Carwyn_Jones) announced that the St David Awards would be established, with the first event to be held in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-02-27 |title=Agenda for Plenary - Fourth Assembly on Wednesday, 27 February 2013, 13.30 |url=https://business.senedd.wales/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=153&MId=1458&Ver=4 |access-date=2026-05-05 |website=business.senedd.wales |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2013-02-27 |title=St David Awards: Welsh honours system announced |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-21606702 |access-date=2026-05-05 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> It was later announced that the awards would be held in the [Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama](/source/Royal_Welsh_College_of_Music_%26_Drama) and broadcast by [S4C](/source/S4C).<ref>{{Cite web |title=S4C to broadcast prestigious St David Awards ceremony {{!}} Press {{!}} S4C |url=https://www.s4c.cymru/en/press/post/s4c-to-broadcast-prestigious-st-david-awards-ceremony |access-date=2026-05-05 |website=www.s4c.cymru |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-07-17 |title=Written Statement - St David Awards Scheme Progress Update (17 July 2013) {{!}} GOV.WALES |url=https://www.gov.wales/written-statement-st-david-awards-scheme-progress-update |access-date=2026-05-05 |website=www.gov.wales |language=en}}</ref>

==Aims and categories==
thumb|The 2017 St David Awards
The Awards aim to "reflect and promote the aspirations of Wales and its citizens to be a modern, vibrant country, with a growing reputation as a confident and clever nation valuing innovation, community spirit, and above all its people".<ref>{{cite web|title=About the awards|url=https://www.gov.wales/st-david-awards/about-awards?lang=en|website=St David Awards}}</ref>

Currently, there are nine award categories:
* Bravery
* Citizenship
* Culture
* Enterprise 
* Innovation & Technology 
* International
* Sport
* Young Person Award
* First Ministers Special Award

==Selection process==
[[File:Carwyn a Bryn Gwobrau Dewi Sant.png|thumb|right|First Minister [Carwyn Jones](/source/Carwyn_Jones) presenting [Bryn Terfel](/source/Bryn_Terfel) with his award. ]]
The Welsh public are invited to nominate candidates, from which a shortlist of three finalists in each category is selected by a specially commissioned advisory committee. The award winners are decided by the [First Minister](/source/First_Minister_of_Wales).<ref>{{cite web|title=The Advisory Committee|url=https://www.gov.wales/the-advisory-committee?lang=en|website=St David Awards}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Price |first=Karen |date=2014-10-17 |title=St David Awards 2015: Just 10 days to nominate unsung heroes for Welsh honours |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/st-david-awards-2015-just-7952040 |access-date=2026-05-05 |website=Wales Online |language=en}}</ref>

The process was criticised by the Welsh Conservatives and [Welsh Liberal Democrats](/source/Welsh_Liberal_Democrats) in 2021, after two [Welsh Labour](/source/Welsh_Labour) candidates were shortlisted. There were concerns from both parties that [Mark Drakeford](/source/Mark_Drakeford) would favour nominees from his own party.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-03-22 |title=Labour candidates for St David Awards 'inappropriate' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-56489708 |access-date=2026-05-05 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== Award winners ==

===== 2014<ref name="x564">{{cite web |date=2014-03-13 |title=St David Award winners announced at Cardiff ceremony |url=https://www.itv.com/news/wales/story/2014-03-13/st-david-award-winners-to-be-announced/ |access-date=2026-05-05 |website=ITV News}}</ref> =====

* Bravery: Karin Williams
* Citizenship: Yaina Samuels
* Culture: [Cerys Matthews](/source/Cerys_Matthews)
* Enterprise: Robin Jones
* Innovation & Technology: [Lyn Evans](/source/Lyn_Evans) 
* International: [Bryn Terfel](/source/Bryn_Terfel)
* Sport: [Tanni Grey-Thompson](/source/Tanni_Grey-Thompson)
* Young Person Award: [Jade Jones](/source/Jade_Jones_(taekwondo))
* First Ministers Special Award: The Community of Machynlleth

===== 2015<ref>{{Cite web |title=The 2015 Awards {{!}} GOV.WALES |url=https://www.gov.wales/st-david-awards/2015-awards |access-date=2026-05-05 |website=www.gov.wales |language=en}}</ref> =====

* Bravery: Derek Pusey, Leonard Walters and Clive Williams
* Citizenship: Rhian Burke
* Culture: [Siân Phillips](/source/Si%C3%A2n_Phillips)
* Enterprise: Mario Kreft
* Innovation & Technology: Peter Brewin and William Crawford
* International: [Michael Sheen](/source/Michael_Sheen)
* Sport: [Geraint Thomas](/source/Geraint_Thomas)
* Young Person Award: Richard Davies
* First Ministers Special Award: NATO Newport 2014

===== 2016<ref name="p031">{{cite web |date=2016-03-10 |title='Pride of Wales' honoured at St Davids Awards |url=https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2016-03-10/pride-of-wales-honoured-at-st-davids-awards |access-date=2026-05-05 |website=ITV News}}</ref> =====

* Bravery: Peter Fuller
* Citizenship: Janet Williams
* Culture: [Owen Sheers](/source/Owen_Sheers)
* Enterprise: Dominic Griffiths
* Innovation & Technology: Geraint Davies
* International: [Julie Gardner](/source/Julie_Gardner)
* Sport: [Chris Coleman](/source/Chris_Coleman_(footballer))
* Young Person Award: Carwyn Williams
* First Ministers Special Award: [Nigel Owens](/source/Nigel_Owens)

===== 2017<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-03-23 |title=St David Awards: LGBT activist and warzone surgeon win |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-39371155 |access-date=2026-05-05 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> =====

* Bravery: Billy Connor and Gary Slack
* Citizenship: [Cairn Newton-Evans](/source/Cairn_Newton-Evans)
* Culture: [Jen Wilson](/source/Jen_Wilson)
* Enterprise: David Banner
* Innovation & Technology: [Meena Upadhyaya](/source/Meena_Upadhyaya)
* International: [David Nott](/source/David_Nott)
* Sport: [Wales national football team](/source/Wales_national_football_team)
* Young Person Award: Savannah Lloyd
* First Ministers Special Award: [Karl Jenkins](/source/Karl_Jenkins) and [Mererid Hopwood](/source/Mererid_Hopwood)

===== 2018<ref>{{Cite web |title=The 2018 Awards {{!}} GOV.WALES |url=https://www.gov.wales/st-david-awards/2018-awards |access-date=2026-05-05 |website=www.gov.wales |language=en}}</ref> =====

* Bravery: Laura Matthews
* Citizenship: Mair Elliott
* Culture: [David Pountney](/source/David_Pountney)
* Enterprise: William Watkins, Radnor Hills
* Innovation & Technology: [IQE](/source/IQE)
* International: The Phoenix Project
* Sport: [Aled Siôn Davies](/source/Aled_Davies_(field_athlete))
* Young Person Award: Jasmine Williams
* First Ministers Special Award: Gerald Williams 

===== 2019<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-03-21 |title=St David Awards: Bravery reward for car attack 'hero' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-47660937 |access-date=2026-05-05 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> =====

* Bravery: Andrew Niinemae
* Citizenship: Cardiff Street Pastors
* Culture: Hijinx Theatre Company
* Enterprise: Hilltop Honey
* Innovation & Technology: Cerebra Innovation Centre
* International: Liam Rahman
* Sport: Geraint Thomas
* Young Person Award: Bethan Owen
* First Ministers Special Award: [Deian Hopkin](/source/Deian_Hopkin)
===== 2020<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harries |first=Robert |date=2020-06-17 |title=The amazing stories of the 2020 St David Awards 2020 winners |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/winners-st-david-awards-2020-18440637 |access-date=2026-05-05 |website=Wales Online |language=en}}</ref> =====

* Bravery: Joel Snarr and Daniel Nicholson
* Community spirit: Wasem Said
* Culture: [Russell T Davies](/source/Russell_T_Davies)
* Business: Moneypenny
* Innovation & Technology: David Worsley
* Humanitarian: Rachel Williams
* Sport: [Alun Wyn Jones](/source/Alun_Wyn_Jones)
* Young Person Award: Tyler Ford
* First Ministers Special Award: [Gareth Thomas](/source/Gareth_Thomas_(rugby%2C_born_1974))
===== 2021<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gregory |first=Rhys |date=2021-03-25 |title=Winners announced at St David Awards 2021 |url=https://www.wales247.co.uk/winners-announced-at-st-david-awards-2021 |access-date=2026-05-10 |website=Wales 247 |language=en-US}}</ref> =====

* Bravery: John Rees, Lisa Way and Ayette Bounouri
* Community spirit: Denbighshire Dial a Ride
* Critical worker: Cherry Tree Care Home
* Business: Little Inspirations
* Innovation, Science & Technology: SBRI/ Welsh Ambulance Service Trust
* Humanitarian: John Puzey
* Culture and sport: Delwyn Derrick
* Young Person Award: Molly Fenton – Love Your Period campaign
* First Ministers Special Award: Keshav Singhal

===== 2022<ref>{{Cite web |title=The 2022 Awards {{!}} GOV.WALES |url=https://www.gov.wales/st-david-awards/2022-awards |access-date=2026-05-10 |website=www.gov.wales |language=en}}</ref> =====

* Bravery: Thomas Scourfield and Geraint Jenkins
* Community spirit: Siop Griffiths
* Critical (key) worker: Michelle Jones and Catherine Cooper
* Culture: [Berwyn Rowlands](/source/Berwyn_Rowlands)
* Environment champion: Low Carbon Built Environment Group ([Cardiff University](/source/Cardiff_University))
* Business: Jordan Lea
* Innovation, Science & Technology: Luca Pagano, Graham Howe, Peter Charlton, John Hughes and Richard Morgan
* Sport: [Hannah Mills](/source/Hannah_Mills)
* Young Person Award: Daniel Lewis
* First Ministers Special Award: [Urdd Gobaith Cymru](/source/Urdd_Gobaith_Cymru)

===== 2023<ref>{{Cite web |title=The 2023 Awards {{!}} GOV.WALES |url=https://www.gov.wales/st-david-awards/2023-awards |access-date=2026-05-10 |website=www.gov.wales |language=en}}</ref> =====

* Bravery: Dylan Pritchard Evans and Hari Thomas
* Community spirit: South Wales Sponsorship for Ukraine
* Critical worker (key worker): The Harm Reduction Team at Huggard
* Culture: Unify project
* Environment champion: Andy Rowland
* Business: Câr y Môr
* Innovation, Science & Technology: CanSense
* Sport: [Olivia Breen](/source/Olivia_Breen)
* Young Person Award: Skye Neville
* First Ministers Special Award: [Gillian Clarke](/source/Gillian_Clarke)
*

===== 2024<ref>{{Cite web |title=The 2024 Awards {{!}} GOV.WALES |url=https://www.gov.wales/st-david-awards/2024-awards |access-date=2026-05-10 |website=www.gov.wales |language=en}}</ref> =====

* Bravery: Callum Smith
* Community spirit: Helen Hughes
* Critical worker (key worker): Therapy and Recovery Team at Brynawel Rehab
* Culture: Aloud Charity
* Environment champion: Fare Share Cymru
* Business: Case-UK Ltd
* Innovation, Science & Technology: Concrete Canvas
* Sport: [Cheryl Foster](/source/Cheryl_Foster)
* Young Person Award: Lia Ellis Thomas
* First Ministers Special Award: [Alan Bates (subpostmaster)](/source/Alan_Bates_(subpostmaster))

===== 2025<ref>{{Cite web |title=The 2025 Awards {{!}} GOV.WALES |url=https://www.gov.wales/st-david-awards/2025-awards |access-date=2026-05-10 |website=www.gov.wales |language=en}}</ref> =====

* Bravery: Justin Biggs
* Community Champion: Paul Bromwell
* Public Services: Patrick Watts
* Culture: [David Hurn](/source/David_Hurn)
* Environment champion: Peter Stanley
* Business: [Bad Wolf Ltd](/source/Bad_Wolf_(production_company))
* Innovation, Science & Technology: ImmunoServ
* Sport: [Emma Finucane](/source/Emma_Finucane)
* Volunteering: Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team
* Young Person Award: Dylan Buller
* First Ministers Special Award: [Ruth Jones](/source/Ruth_Jones)

===== 2026<ref>{{Cite web |title=The 2026 Awards {{!}} GOV.WALES |url=https://www.gov.wales/st-david-awards/2026-awards |access-date=2026-05-10 |website=www.gov.wales |language=en}}</ref> =====

* Bravery: Liz Hopkin, Darrel Campbell, Fiona Elias
* Community Champion: Parent Learning Group
* Public Services: Tipswalo Day
* Culture: [Max Boyce](/source/Max_Boyce)
* Environment champion: Cynrig Hatchery
* Business: de Novo Solutions
* Innovation, Science & Technology: Joanne Davies
* Sport: [Jess Fishlock](/source/Jess_Fishlock)
* Volunteering: Brian Jones
* Young Person Award: Cian Evans
* First Ministers Special Award: [Henry Engelhardt](/source/Henry_Engelhardt) and Diane Briere de l’Isle Engelhardt

==See also==
{{Portal|Wales}}
* [Welsh Government](/source/Welsh_Government)
*[List of Wales-related topics](/source/List_of_Wales-related_topics)
* [https://www.gov.uk/honours The UK Honours System]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

Category:Welsh awards
Category:Awards established in 2014

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [St David Awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_David_Awards) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_David_Awards?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.