Celebrating exceptional individuals in biometrics

To celebrate a community of experts and practitioners who have been championing the responsible, ethical and effective use of biometric technology for 25 years now, the Biometrics Institute has officially launched its inaugural Biometrics Institute Lifetime Achievement Award. This prestigious accolade recognises exceptional individuals whose careers have delivered a sustained and positive impact on the industry. Nominations are now officially open to the Institute’s global membership network.

The award has been established to recognise an exceptional individual whose career has delivered a sustained and positive impact on the responsible, ethical, and effective use of biometrics. Celebrating long-term leadership, influence and impact, the award honours those who have shaped biometrics, and who embody the Institute’s values: Trusted, Impactful, Collaborative and Accountable.

“For a quarter of a century, our members have worked tirelessly to ensure that biometric technology serves society safely and ethically,” said Isabelle Moeller, Chief Executive of the Biometrics Institute. “As we mark this 25-year milestone, we want to shine a spotlight on the extraordinary individuals who have gone beyond their formal roles to shape and advance the global biometrics community over time.”

Over the past year this Institute has developed, refined and tested the idea of this award and identified the following criteria that any nominee needs to address:

1. The nominee needs to have demonstrated their sustained contribution to responsible, ethical and/or effective use of biometrics (e.g. establishing an independent testing centre, conducting research that provided relevant facts, shaping important policy and legislation, or creating technology advancements in the field).
2. The nominator must describe how they see the nominee complying with the Institute’s values: Trusted, Impactful, Collaborative and Accountable.
3. The nominee needs to have gone above and beyond their formal job description.
4. The nominee needs to have demonstrated a minimum of five years of ongoing engagement with the Institute community (e.g. through delivering presentations at events).
5. The nominee can only be nominated by a member of the Biometrics Institute.
6. The nominee does not have to be a member of the Institute but must be known to the Institute.
7. Once the nomination has been submitted, the Biometrics Institute will contact the nominee to request their acceptance letter, stating they are an ethical practioner who adheres to the Institute values: Trusted, Impactful, Collaborative and Accountable.

This award is a confirmation of a maturing industry and will be an important milestone in the 25-year anniversary that the Biometrics Institute is celebrating this year.

Nomination and judging process

Nominations are open to Biometrics Institute members, who are encouraged to nominate outstanding peers or submit self-nominations.

While any individual meeting the criteria can be nominated, it is a requirement that the nominator must be a member of the Biometrics Institute to ensure there is a good understanding of the Institute’s mission and values. A member can also submit a self-nomination.

To ensure the highest standards of transparency, fairness and excellence, all submissions will be assessed by an independent judging panel. This panel comprises experts drawn from the Biometrics Institute’s Advisory Council.

Key dates and deadlines

Submission deadline: Nominations must be submitted via the official nomination form by 4 September 2026.

Award ceremony: The winner will be announced and celebrated at the Biometrics Institute Congress on 20–21 October 2026 in London.

To discover more about the entry criteria, review the guidelines, or download a nomination form, visit the Institute’s Lifetime Achievement Award in Biometrics website page.

ENDS.

About the Biometrics Institute:

The Biometrics Institute is the independent and impartial international membership organisation for biometric users and other interested parties. It was established in 2001 to promote the responsible, ethical and effective use of biometrics. It has offices in London and Sydney.

The Institute represents a global and diverse multi-stakeholder community of over 200 membership organisations from 43 countries. While a large proportion of the members are from government, other members include banks, airlines, biometric experts, privacy experts, suppliers, academics and 20 Observers representing United Nations agencies, IGOs and European Union institution.

The Biometrics Institute connects the global biometrics community. It shares knowledge with its members and key stakeholders and most importantly, develops good practices and thought leadership for the responsible, ethical and effective use of biometrics.

For more information, please email Marco Lombardi.