We are pleased to announce that GCHQ has been awarded the prestigious CIOL Threlford Cup in the 2025 CIOL Awards. GCHQ is the UK's intelligence, security and cyber agency. This is in recognition of the extensive work GCHQ do in championing languages and linguists in UK Government and nationally.

GCHQ, alongside their vital work in helping to keep the country safe, lead work across UK government to identify, value, develop and deploy language skills through leadership of the cross-Government Languages Group and by strengthening relationships with academia. GCHQ also recruit, develop and encourage their own linguists throughout their careers – whether direct university entrants or via internal language courses. 

Adding outreach and the National Language Competition for schools to their efforts, as well as co-sponsoring the recent Language Show, GCHQ show consistent leadership for UK languages at all levels – including Home, Heritage and Community Languages.

In celebration of this – their second time of winning the Threlford Cup – we have loaned the trophy to GCHQ who have put it on display in their museum, showcasing the award to their staff and guests, at the same time as reminding GCHQ linguists how much their work is valued by us all.

About the Threlford Cup:

First presented in 1935 by Sir Lacon Threlford, Founder of the Institute of Linguists, the cup was described as of marvellous beauty and the world's greatest trophy for fostering the study of languages. The Threlford Cup is now presented annually to a project or organisation for the advancement and wider use of languages.

The CIOL Awards were presented on 14 March 2025 as part of the CIOL Conference season.