Member Article

Speedo President to head judging for Retail Excellence

David Robinson, the President of Speedo International, is to head the independent judging panel of the Retail Excellence category in this year’s Midlands Family Business Awards.

The category, new for 2013, is one of ten in the not-for-profit Midlands Family Business Awards, an independent initiative which is unique in the region.

The Retail Excellence category has been created to recognise the innovation and successes of family businesses and leaders operating in the retail arena, and is sponsored by the retail display, shopfitting and commercial interiors specialists, Triplar, a family owned and run business.

Open to family businesses and their advisers, entries to the ten categories can be made free-of-charge until the end of June, with submission forms available online at www.familybusinessawards.co.uk.

David Robinson has been President of Speedo International, which has its headquarters in Nottingham, since 2008, following a successful career spanning thirteen years in the organisation.

He will be joined on the Retail Excellence judging panel by Tim Rodwell, MD of Triplar, who said: “As a well-established family business in the industry, we fully appreciate the dedication, hard work and passion required to be successful in retail. Triplar is excited to sponsor the Awards’ Retail Excellence category as it gives us an opportunity to meet and exchange experiences with other companies who share our family values and spirit.”

Each of the Awards’ ten categories has a panel of independent judges led by a senior family business figure. Joining David Robinson for this year are Jason Wouhra of East End Foods, John Horrell MD of Dodson & Horrell Limited, Parveen Kumar Mehta of Minor Weir & Willis Limited, Mark Samworth of Samworth Brothers, 99p Stores’ MD Hussein Lalani, and Justin Hall of H J Sock Limited.

Kate Manners, MD of David Manners, winner of the Awards’ Service Excellence category in 2012, joins the panel for the first time, together with Sarah Holmes of Merrythought Limited, manufacturer of hand-made teddy bears, David Evans of Manor Pharmacy, and Jonathan Burch, director and investor in Weldon, a hardwood flooring family business.

On the panel for the third consecutive year is Dhiren Katwa of Asian Voice magazine, and Dr Gwenllian Willliams, a specialist in development, training and organisational change in family businesses.

“Through the awards we aim to create an ethical, friendly and supportive community for our region’s family businesses,” comments MD of third generation family business The Wilson Organisation, which underwrites and organises the Awards.

“We are exceptionally grateful to all our judges, who provide so freely of their time, wisdom and insights throughout the judging process, and who make an invaluable contribution to the Awards experience for all the shortlisted businesses and individuals. We are also indebted to our sponsors, led by Smith Cooper, for their support.”

“The individual judging panel for each of the ten categories is tasked with assessing the entries for their category and creating a shortlist of five finalists,” explains Awards’ Creative Director, Hilary Campton, “who attend an informal interview during September. The panel includes a business advisory judge and a family business judge, who holds the casting vote. After the interview sessions, the judging panel will decide on a winner and two runners-up, which will all be announced at the awards ceremony in November.”

Additional sponsors for 2013 are Barclays, Crouch Logistics, PwC, Royal Sun Alliance, Thomas Miller Investment and Unum. Affari Media is video production partner of the Awards.

The ten categories for 2013 are: -

Family Business of the Year; Best Small Family Business of the Year (turnover up to £5M); Fastest Growing Family Business; Retail Excellence; Manufacturing Excellence; Business Innovation; Leading Adviser to Family Businesses; Service Excellence; Outstanding Contribution; Commitment to the Community.

Since their launch, the Awards have raised more than £15,000 for Midlands-based charities supporting young enterprise and young people. This year the Awards are raising funds for The Outward Bound Trust, an educational charity dedicated to unlocking the potential in young people through learning and adventure in the wild.

The Wilson Organisation, based in Nottingham, provides innovative insurance and financial solutions to businesses and individuals both regionally and nationally. For more information, visit: www.wilorg.com, or Tel: 0115 942 0111.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Midlands Family Business Awards .