The Founder

Understanding the vision, values, and standards behind the UK's National Charity Today Awards™

About the Founder

Lee B. Rayment

Founder, National Charity Today Awards™

Lee Rayment is the Founder of the National Charity Today Awards™, established to recognise excellence, integrity and impact across the UK charity sector.

With a background in charity sector journalism and media, Lee founded Charity Today as an independent national platform dedicated to informing, supporting and championing charities, social enterprises and those working to create positive change in communities across the UK. Through this work, he has developed a deep understanding of the challenges facing the sector, alongside a strong commitment to fair, transparent and credible recognition. Lee is also the Founder of UK Charity Week, a national awareness initiative created to celebrate and promote the vital work of charities across the country. Since its launch, UK Charity Week has gone on to help raise millions of pounds for good causes across the UK, supporting charities of all sizes through increased public engagement, collaboration and awareness.

The National Charity Today Awards™ were created in response to a clear need for awards that prioritise substance over status, impact over profile, and integrity over commercial influence. The awards are designed to be inclusive and accessible, recognising organisations based on their work and the difference they make, not their size or budget.

Founder's Statement
The National Charity Today Awards™ exists to recognise and celebrate the extraordinary work taking place across the UK charity sector. Our purpose is to shine a light on the organisations and individuals making a genuine difference—those whose impact extends beyond headlines and whose dedication sets the standard for excellence. These awards are built on a foundation of fairness, transparency, and independence. Every nomination is treated with respect, every category is judged on merit, and every decision is made free from commercial influence. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity because the sector deserves nothing less.

Lee B. Rayment

Founder, National Charity Today Awards™

Independence and Integrity
The credibility of the National Charity Today Awards™ depends on maintaining clear boundaries between sponsorship and judging. Sponsors support the awards financially and through partnership, but they play no role in the judging process or the selection of winners. All judging decisions are made independently, based on merit and the published criteria for each category. This separation ensures that the awards remain fair, transparent, and free from conflicts of interest. We are transparent about how we operate, and we hold ourselves accountable to the same standards we expect from the charities we celebrate.
Core Values and Standards

Fairness and impartiality in all stages of the judging process

Transparency in how we operate and make decisions

Independence from commercial influence in editorial and judging matters

Recognition of genuine impact and excellence in the charity sector

Commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity

Relationship to Charity Today
The National Charity Today Awards™ is an initiative of Charity Today, a trusted publication serving the UK charity sector. While the awards benefit from Charity Today's sector knowledge and reach, editorial independence is maintained throughout the judging process. This structure ensures transparency while allowing the awards to operate with integrity and credibility.
Thank you to everyone who has supported the National Charity Today Awards™—the nominees, sponsors, partners, and supporters who share our commitment to celebrating excellence in the charity sector. Your participation helps us recognise the remarkable work taking place across the UK and strengthens the platform we provide for organisations making a real difference. We look forward to continuing this important work together.