OUTSTANDING employees and creative companies were honoured at this year’s Solihull BID Excellence Awards.
From dedicated and talented young apprentices to businesses showing smart management and innovative thinking, the Solihull Business District (BID) awards celebrated all that’s great about the town centre.
The red-carpet event, compered by TV newsreader Sameena Ali-Khan and attended by more than 390 guests, was held at St Johns Hotel on Warwick Road on November 17.
Dignitaries included the Mayor of Solihull Mike Robinson and Leader of the Borough Council, Coun Bob Sleigh.
The Excellence Awards were sponsored by Touchwood, Mell Square, National Grid and Solihull College & University Centre.
Judging the Excellence Awards were Eileen Schofield of Schofield & Associates, Paul Brown, Director, Ernst & Young LLP, David Bradnock MBE, HM Deputy Lieutenant for the West Midlands and John Callaghan, Principal & Chief Executive, Solihull College &
University Centre.
Megan Troth of Xoserve was named Best Apprentice 2016 after being described as ‘the best, hands-down’, by her supervisor and first line manager Mohamed Abdel-Gadir.
He added: “I have no hesitation in recommending Megan to anyone in the company.
“She is confident, hard-working and an asset to the business.”
Anna Hobbs of Wallace Robinson & Morgan was crowned Best Trainee.
The awards judges said Anna has made herself ‘indispensible with her team’.
“Anna has not only created a bespoke case management system, she has also trained the team on the system and it has been the core of their success,” added the judges.
“She is an excellent team member and clearly has a bright future.”
Karen Chapman of St Alphege School picked up the award for Best Customer Service.
The award for Outstanding Innovation & Enterprise went to TP3 Global for their pioneering work in the pharmaceuticals industry and Holiday Inn Solihull picked up the Best Hospitality & Leisure award.
Touchwood jewellery retailer Fabulous Collections was named Best Independent, while recruitment agency Kate & Co was named Outstanding Team.
Solihull BID Director Melanie Palmer described the awards as ‘a success story for Solihull’.
“It was great to see all our businesses celebrating together,” added Ms Palmer.
“From huge companies like National Grid and UK Power Reserve to independent retailers on the High Street and in Touchwood, this shows the diversity of the sectors in Solihull town centre business.
“When we’re mentioned as having the highest percentage of skilled workers in the Midlands and one of the best places to live and work in the country, it’s all thanks to the businesses we’ve seen at these awards.
“We’re now looking forward to next year.”
Solihull BID Excellence Awards 2016 winners in full:
Winners:
Best Apprentice 2016 – Megan Troth, Xoserve
Best Trainee 2016 – Anna Hobbs, Wallace Robinson & Morgan
Best Hospitality & Leisure 2016 – Holiday Inn Solihull
Best Customer Service 2016 – Karen Chapman, St Alphege School
Outstanding Team of 2016 – Kate & Co
Best Independent 2016 – Fabulous Collections
Outstanding Innovation & Enterprise 2016 – TP3 Global
Highly Commended:
Best Customer Service 2016 – Caffe Nero, High Street
Outstanding Innovation & Enterprise 2016 – UK Power Reserve
Best Independent – Fleur-De- Lis
