04/09/2026
Celebrating the recipients of this year’s Berne Excellence Award ✨
The award recognises those whose commitment, character, and contribution make a meaningful difference to our community. This year, we are delighted to celebrate Kirsty Steel Champ, Diane Hooper, and Vicky Boyle.
Kirsty has developed enormously, both personally and professionally, throughout her training. Calm, solid, dependable, kind, and reassuring, she communicates with directness and clarity while remaining firmly rooted in an admirable I’m OK, You’re OK position. She has worked incredibly hard as Student Representative Coordinator, approaching the role with consistency, consideration, and care. Kirsty brings insight and genuine value to the whole Berne environment, and we are deeply grateful for her support.
Diane has been part of The Berne since the handover from Ian, when it was just Helen, Annette, and Di carrying the work now shared by the wider team. Despite holding other significant roles that take her around the world, she has remained a loyal, deeply connected, and caring member of our community. Her diligence helps ensure that the bills are paid, The Berne continues to grow, and Adrienne and Annette’s spending whims are kept under some degree of control! We are enormously grateful for Diane’s unwavering commitment and the warmth and humour she brings to the team.
Vicky has shown extraordinary steadiness through a period of major upheaval and personal change. Even while defending herself during a recent court case, she has remained calm, purposeful, and hardworking.
Throughout it all, Vicky has continued to show up as a consistent and valued member of the student body. She completed her PGDip this year while establishing a successful private practice, turning her learning, experience, and determination into a strong professional foundation. Her resilience and commitment to her development and the wider Berne community are truly worthy of recognition.
Please join us in congratulating Kirsty, Diane, and Vicky on this thoroughly deserved award. We are incredibly grateful for everything they each bring to The Berne.
