Frazer and Ben are reflecting on a very busy week for the All Things Business team. It was the 2023 editions of both the Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards and Northamptonshire Education Awards, which both Ben and Frazer say were career highlights for them.
The ceremonies this year were the biggest yet for each of the events, and feedback has been excellent from attendees and sponsors alike. Frazer’s personal highlights included the big cheers for J Sweeney Accountant’s Abi Almond as she took home Apprentice of the Year, and the first special award given at the ceremony: the ICON Award.
Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards
Northampton Saints rugby player and England international Courtney Lawes received the Northamptonshire ICON Award, recognising the amazing work he has done representing the county both on and off the field. He delivered an excellent speech reflecting on the place that Northamptonshire holds in his life and in his heart, talking about his own roots and raising his own children in the county. Frazer says he found Courtney very grounded and humble, showing him to be an excellent role model and a true icon.
Ben’s highlights were the Sustainability Award, which he found very competitive, and of course the Business of the Year award, which was won by Mannol. Both also reflect on the Employer of the Year category, which showcased some excellent company cultures across its nominees.
Northamptonshire Education Awards
Moving on to the education awards, the event had a record attendance of over 450 and some excellent highlights throughout. Frazer’s highlight was Wootton Park School, who really brought the party with pompoms and party poppers. They also took home both Secondary School of the Year and Overall School of the Year. Frazer also mentions the increased competition in the awards across the categories, a good omen for the awards as they continue to grow.
Ben’s highlight was the Environmental and Sustainability Award, although not just due to the competition this time. The nominees are now looking to work together to increase their sustainability across the board, which is exactly the kind of connection that Ben loves to facilitate through the awards and All Things Business.
Both Ben and Frazer are full of praise for the hosts, Rob Beckett (NBEAs) and Eamonn Holmes (NEAs). As a stand up, Rob’s riffs and jokes were a highlight, with everyone from the judges to the sponsors catching some strays. Meanwhile, Eamonn took the time to speak to every winner and find out a bit more about them and their work.
Work now begins on the 2024 editions of the awards, as well as December’s edition of ATB, ending the year off with a celebration of the Northamptonshire business and education communities.
Listen to the full episode here:
