AIPIO Awards for Excellence in the Intelligence Profession
proudly sponsored by
The AIPIO Awards for Excellence in the Intelligence Profession were presented on Wednesday 20 August 2025 during the AIPIO Intelligence 2025 Conference in Sydney. These prestigious awards recognise individuals and groups who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and contributions to the intelligence profession in Australia.
We are delighted to congratulate the outstanding recipients of the 2025 AIPIO Awards for Intelligence:
David Irvine AO Memorial Award – Dr Brenton Cooper (CEO, FiveCast) – recognising outstanding contribution to intelligence progression in Australia.
Intelligence Practitioner of the Year – Tara Clague (Queensland Police Service) – acknowledging significant and commendable contributions to the intelligence profession.
Highly Commended Intelligence Practitioner of the Year – Natalie Arnold (NSW Police Force).
Emerging Intelligence Practitioner of the Year – Sam Woods (Protegas) – celebrating excellence among emerging professionals with outstanding contributions over the past 12 months.
Intelligence Group of the Year – CI-ISAC Australia – recognising exceptional performance and innovation in the intelligence profession.
Highly Commended Intelligence Group of the Year – DICE Team (Queensland Police Service).
Intelligence Publication of the Year – Augusto Verzosa – for authoring Counterterrorism Analytics – Predicting to Prevent the Next Attack.
AIPIO President’s Award – Neil Quarmby (Intelligence Rising) – recognising profound contribution through service, commitment, leadership, and advocacy.
Looking ahead
Nominations for the 2026 AIPIO Awards for Excellence will open in early 2026, with winners announced at the Intelligence 2026 Conference in Melbourne.
An awards' first
This year marked the first time KINSHIP Digital proudly sponsored the AIPIO Awards for Excellence, and we thank them for their support in recognising and celebrating achievement across the intelligence profession.