Shortlist revealed for Solihull BID awards
24 October 2017
Organisers of the annual Solihull BID Excellence Awards have revealed the talented employees and innovative companies shortlisted for recognition at this year’s sold-out ceremony.
More than 100 entries were received for the annual red-carpet celebration and this year’s nominations have been described as the highest standard yet.
The Excellence Awards will take place on 23 November at the St Johns Hotel and feature seven categories: Best Apprentice / Trainee, Best Hospitality & Leisure, Best Customer Service, Outstanding Team of 2017, Best Independent, Outstanding Innovation & Enterprise, Best Fundraising or Community Project.
ITV Central newsreader Sameena Ali-Khan has been confirmed as host for the red-carpet ceremony.
Each of the shortlisted people and organisations is now being interviewed by the judging panel to decide who picks up a prestigious award.
Solihull town centre Business Improvement District (BID) organises the Excellence Awards and its director, Melanie Palmer, said: “This is the third year of the Excellence Awards and we’ve had the biggest response to date.
“The high standard of entries is a perfect reflection of the brilliant businesses and workers with have in the town centre.
“Once again, it has been wonderful to see companies nominating employees and teams that they are proud of, or other businesses they respect and admire.”
The awards are sponsored by IM Properties, Solihull College & University Centre, Touchwood, BNP Paribas, Phoebus Software and the Solihull Observer.
The nominations were judged by David Bradnock MBE, HM Deputy Lieutenant for the West Midlands, Paul Brown, Director, Government and Public Sector, Ernst & Young LLP, Eileen Schofield of employment lawyers Schofield & Associates, John Callaghan, Principal, Solihull College, and Stacey Barnfield, Director, Edwin Ellis Creative Media.
Shortlist for Solihull BID Excellence Awards 2017:
Best Customer Service
RBS (Rebecca Baker)
Neal's Yard Remedies (Tracy Colcombe)
Turtle Bay (Sophie Carter)
AVADO (Danny Smith)
Phoebus Software (Lisa Meredith)
Outstanding Innovation & Enterprise
Phoebus Software API
Advance Employment
Neal's Yard Remedies
AVADO
Best Independent
Cotton & Scissors
Projex Building Solutions
Lesley Ashworth
Kate & Co
Superstitch
Six Nine Nine
Best Team
Phoebus Software
AVADO
Thursfields Solicitors
Advance
BNP Paribas
Best Apprentice
Lauran Wright (Six Nine Nine)
Katie Pell (Xoserve)
Beth Pittaway (Kate & Co)
Omar Naeem (Sky Retail)
Meghan O'Rourke (Kents)
Best Trainee
Matthew Oakley (Phoebus Software)
Andrew Hickman (Phoebus Software)
Joseph Turner (Phoebus Software)
Melissa Locke (Quality Solicitors Davisons)
Hannah Clarke (John Lewis)
Paulina Czapiewska (BNP Paribas)
Fundraising or Community Project
Xoserve with Grace Academy
Get A-Head
BNP Paribas
Fat Face
Mad Hatters Children's Charity
Best Hospitality & Leisure
Crowne Plaza (Matt Hutchings)
Yates (Amy West)
Turtle Bay (Sophie Carter)
The White Swan (David Cator)
Pictured: The 2016 Solihull BID award winners