Member Article

Local lady scoops two prestigious national awards

The team at local company Puddle Ducks, which specialises in providing swimming lessons for babies and children across the UK, are celebrating the success of their Technical Director & Head Teacher Ali Beckman, at the 2018 NatWest EWIF (Encouraging Women into Franchising) awards.

Jo & Tracy, owners of Puddle Ducks which has its head office in Cranage, had nominated Ali for the awards. Ali went on to not only win, ‘Woman Franchise Employee of the Year’, but also to scoop the top award of the day, for’ Overall Woman in Franchising’, described as the winner’s winner.

The glittering awards ceremony was held at the NatWest building in London. They recognise and celebrate the achievements of women throughout the franchise industry and help them come together to recognise each other’s successes.

In the presentation, Ali, from Northwich, who has worked for Puddle Ducks for nearly 14 years, was praised for her dedication, and that she is loved and respected by everyone. They acknowledged that she is a renowned expert in her field and that her colleagues joke that if you cut her in half you would see the company logo running straight through her like a stick of rock.

Ali who is married with two children was justifiably thrilled to win and said, “I was truly shocked and then totally blown away, to win the overall award when there were so many inspirational ladies in the room.

She continued, “It is a real honour and I am very proud for both myself and the great things we do at Puddle Ducks. I love swimming and seeing each and every day how our teachers across our network encourage babies and children to learn a valuable life-long skill, is still to me truly magical. To be acknowledged for the work I do is wonderful and I enjoy every minute.”

The business was set up by Jo Stone and Tracy Townend, Ali joined shortly after and they all share a passion and joy for swimming with babies and young children. It is not only the continued development of the business, but also how they provide innovation, support and guidance to the wider swimming community which Ali and the team find particular exciting.

For more information about Puddle Ducks go to www.puddleducks.com or call 01477 410085

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Charlotte Gribbin .