Outstanding employees and innovative companies were given their moment in the spotlight at the Solihull BID Excellence Awards 2019.
More than 360 people attended the red carpet awards ceremony on Thursday, November 21, at the Voco (St Johns) Hotel on Warwick Road.
Sponsored by Mell Square , Touchwood, Solihull College & University Centre, Phoebus Software, BNP Paribas personal finance , Solihull Observer and Wasps Rugby, the awards shine a light on the up-and-coming Solihull town centre trainees and businesses leading innovation, customer service and training. Among invited guests were the Mayor of Solihull, Cllr Stuart Davis , leader of Solihull Council Councillor Ian Courts , and Chief Executive of Solihull Council, Nick Page.
The awards were split into seven categories; Outstanding Young Person, Best Customer Service, Best Independent, Outstanding Innovation & Enterprise, Outstanding Team, Best Hospitality & Leisure, Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility Project.
Winners celebrated in style as they were announced by Solihull BID CEO Melanie Palmer, who congratulated all finalists on their well-deserved recognition. “Well done to all our nominations for showcasing the success story that is Solihull, and a huge congratulations to the winners and highly commended companies this year,” she said.
“Once again the bar has been raised and the standard of applications were outstanding this year. Solihull is the hot spot of talent and vision that sets the standards for othersto follow.”
The judges at this year’s Excellence Awards were Solihull College & University Centre Principal, John Callaghan; Eileen Schofield of Schofield & Associates; Director, EY, Paul Brown; consultant chef David Colcombe; Chief Executive of the Association of Town & City Management, Ojay McDonald; Managing Director, Dluxe Magazine, Kevin Urquhart; and Northfield BID Town Centre Manager, Marcia Greenwood.
The Outstanding Young Person category was won by Alexandra Sheldon of Phoebus Software. Judges described Alexandra as confident and professional with incredible knowledge of her industry. “Her independent inquisitive brain means that she will certainly go far,” the judges added.
Outstanding Team winners were charity retailer Cancer Research UK. The judges described the team as ‘selfless, passionate and committed, going over and above in a sensitive and friendly community hub’.
Jamaican jerk chicken restaurant Jamaya – a newcomer to the town centre dining scene – won the Best Independent category. The venue has taken Touchwood by storm since opening earlier in 2019, along with Asha’s which was crowned winner of the Best Hospitality & Leisure category.
SOLIHULL BID EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2019 WINNERS
OUTSTANDING YOUNG PERSON
Winner: Alexandra Sheldon – Phoebus Software
Highly Commended: Becky Salt – Dorothy
Perkins / Burton
BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE
Winner: Specsavers Opticians
Highly Commended: Holland & Barrett
BEST INDEPENDENT
Winner: Jamaya
Highly Commended: Lucent Financial
Planning
OUTSTANDING INNOVATION & ENTERPRISE
Winner: BNP Paribas Personal Finance
Highly Commended: Touchwood
OUTSTANDING TEAM
Winner: Cancer Research
Highly Commended: Loaf
BEST HOSPITALITY & LEISURE
Winner: Asha’s
Highly Commended: Tap & Tandoor
OUTSTANDING CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY PROJECT
Winner: Phoebus Software
Highly Commended: Mountain Warehouse
For more information about Solihull BID visit www.solihullbid.co.uk
