AXREM Scoops Two TAF Awards and Proves It’s No Longer the Sector’s Best‑Kept Secret
03 March 2026
TAF Awards 2026
AXREM’s double win at the 2026 Trade Association Forum (TAF) Awards feels like the moment the wider association world finally caught up with what our members have known for years: this is an organisation transformed, energised and firmly at the heart of the UK’s healthcare technology sector. What began as a proud moment of being shortlisted in three categories quickly became a night of celebration at the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square, where AXREM took home both the Membership Engagement Award and the Best Association Transformation Award.
The recognition comes at a time when AXREM’s evolution has been nothing short of remarkable. In 2019, the association was small but committed, with 16 member companies and a part‑time director working three days a week. It had heart, but not yet the infrastructure or visibility to fully deliver on its potential. Seven years later, AXREM stands as a confident, strategic and influential voice and one that shapes policy, champions innovation and brings its members together with purpose and impact.
The Best Association Transformation Award captures this journey in all its depth. AXREM rebuilt its strategic foundations, launching its first Manifesto and a clear set of Strategic Priorities that put innovation, sustainability, workforce wellbeing and equitable access to imaging services at the centre of its mission. The team expanded from one part‑time role to six staff, enabling a step‑change in delivery, engagement and advocacy. New committees, events, podcasts, newsletters and member‑led campaigns have created a vibrant, connected community. And AXREM’s growing presence in national policy conversations from the NHS Long Term Plan to the Medical Technology Strategy reflects the credibility it has earned.
The Membership Engagement Award win shines a spotlight on one of AXREM’s proudest achievements: the AXREM Future Leaders Council. Launched in 2023, the AFLC has injected fresh energy and ambition into the association, giving early‑career professionals and aspiring leaders a platform to influence, contribute, and grow. It has strengthened engagement, improved retention, diversified voices and inspired other trade bodies to follow suit. It is a model of what modern membership engagement should look like intentional, inclusive and genuinely transformative.
The evening also celebrated the dedication of AXREM Vice Chair Jeevan Gunaratnam, shortlisted for Association Volunteer of the Year. His three‑and‑a‑half‑year tenure as Chair and Vice Chair has been defined by unwavering commitment, steady leadership and a deep belief in the power of collaboration. His nomination reflects the spirit of volunteerism that underpins AXREM’s success: generous, purposeful and rooted in service to members.
Together, these achievements tell a story of an association that has not only grown but matured, one that has moved from the sidelines to the centre of sector dialogue without losing the personal touch and collaborative ethos that define it. AXREM’s members are not simply participants; they are partners in shaping the future of healthcare technology.
The double win at the TAF Awards is a collective triumph. It belongs to the volunteers who give their time so generously, the members who bring expertise and energy, the partners who collaborate to drive progress and the staff team whose commitment underpins every success. It marks how far AXREM has come and signals the ambition with which it will continue to move forward.
Sally Edgington, CEO, AXREM said
“Winning two national awards is an extraordinary moment for AXREM and a testament to the passion, commitment and belief of our entire community. Over the past seven years we have transformed not just our structure, but our purpose becoming a confident, collaborative and influential voice for the healthcare technology sector. These awards recognise the hard work of our members, volunteers, partners and staff, who give so much of themselves to drive progress and create meaningful change. I am especially proud of the recognition for our Future Leaders Council, which reflects our commitment to nurturing the next generation and ensuring our sector’s future is diverse, dynamic and resilient. AXREM’s success is shared success, and I am incredibly grateful to everyone who has helped shape this journey.”
AXREM Chair, Huw Shurmer said:
“These awards reflect the extraordinary journey AXREM has been on and the strength of the community that drives it. What we have achieved together is the result of clear strategic focus, committed leadership at every level and a membership that believes in collaboration and positive change. The recognition for both our transformation and our engagement work shows how far AXREM has come in building a modern, inclusive and influential association. I am immensely proud of our volunteers, our staff team and our members, whose dedication and ambition continue to push the sector forward. This is a milestone moment and a powerful signal of the impact AXREM will continue to make in the years ahead.”