The FirstPro Awards have launched – the theme and speakers are announced, nominations are open and sponsorship is available. Oh yes, and ticket bookings for the gala Awards dinner on 4th April are now open too! Click here to read more about this year’s showcase Awards and gala dinner.
It’s been a packed year for Coventry & Warwickshire First with a successful FirstPro, a celebration of the region’s young talent and an expanded events programme.
Coventry & Warwickshire First:
• The voice of professionals in Coventry and Warwickshire
• Developing relationships that grow business
• Events that provide valuable business insights
The winners of Coventry & Warwickshire First’s FirstPro 2018 were announced at a gala dinner held at Coombe Abbey on Thursday 19 April.
In the gift of Coventry & Warwickshire First’s board, the Outstanding Achievement award recognises the exceptional contribution of an individual in the past year.
This year, however, the outstanding achievement of the year was delivered by the City of Culture Trust Team securing City of Culture 2021. Their efforts mean Coventry can take centre stage and show the world all the city has to offer.
The winners of the other six categories were:
Communication Campaign of the Year: City of Culture Trust, Advent Communications and The Jade Studio.
Integral to the bid for City of Culture 2021, the communication campaign told the city’s story to the local, regional and national audiences. The brand was strong and energetic and the campaign was built on lateral thinking, creativity and the thoughtful integration of all elements.
Deal of the Year: SFB Group.
Faced with its existing bank pulling out of the sector, the hospitality and leisure business turned to SFB Group to refinance and so secure the business. The team secured offers from two potential funders and then managed a six month negotiation process as the goal posts shifted. By getting the deal away they secured the future of this important local business.
Property Deal of the Year: EDG Property.
EDG Property is transforming the 1950s Co-operative building into a mixed-use destination to include a collection of high spec. apartments, a private internal residents’ park and members’ lounge. The £15m scheme represents a significant investment in the city and will catalyse further regeneration.
People Excellence: Shakespeare Martineau.
Genuinely aware of the need to invest in its people, Shakespeare Martineau created the Academy. Open to all employees, its aim is to stretch employees’ knowledge and capability and to dissolve barriers to progression. The judges were particularly impressed by the positive feedback from employees at all levels of the business.
Team of the Year: HB&O.
Teamwork is at the heart of HB&O’s approach, collaboration being embodied in the vision statement. Working as a firm-wide team, they have delivered strong year on year growth, been proactive in the region and raised more than £11,000 for charity.
The judges gave a special mention to Coventry & Warwickshire LEP. The team has secured significant inward investment and was recently ranked in the FDI European Cities & Regions of the Future Awards 2018/19 top ten LEPs (ranked fifth). Their achievements are built on their collaborative approach to working with other organisations in the region.
Young Professional of the Year: Andriy Buniak.
Andriy stood out as exceptional, both at work and in terms of his contribution to the local community. At work he has been recommended in the 2016 and 2017 editions of the Legal 500. Outside work he organised his firm’s participation in the Alzheimer’s Walk and mentors A-Level students, amongst many other activities.
Sponsors:
Headline Sponsor: Coventry BID
Deal of the Year sponsor: Band Hatton Button
Young Professional of the Year sponsor: Coventry & Warwcikshire LEP
People Excellence Sponsor: Coventry College
Communication Campaign of the Year sponsor: HB&O
Team of the Year sponsor: University of Warwick
Outstanding Achievement sponsor: Mander Hadley
Property Deal of the Year sponsor: The HR Dept.
Match funding the sum raised for Coventry Haven: Barclays
A successful FirstPro, a wonderful celebration of the region’s young talent and an expanding events programme; a packed year for Coventry & Warwickshire First.
COVENTRY & WARWICKSHIRE FIRST:
• The voice of professionals in Coventry & Warwickshire
• Developing relationships that grow business
• Events that provide valuable business insights
Communication specialist Cathy Connan is taking over as Chair of professional services membership organization, Coventry & Warwickshire First, from Michael Durkin, Relationship Director at Santander plc.
Under Michael’s stewardship Coventry & Warwickshire First launched the incredibly successful YoungPro, a celebration of the next generation of leaders in the professional and financial services sector. Looking ahead to her year in post, Cathy intends to ‘shout about’ the professional services capability in the sub-region.
“Collectively our members advise local businesses on everything from complex mergers & acquisitions and investment decisions to HR strategy and communication campaigns,” said Cathy.
“Comprising the leading professional services businesses in the region, our member firms and the technical experts within them, are recognised in their specialist publications as leaders in their field. Businesses can get the advice they need right here, without having to go to Birmingham or London.
“This year we intend to shout about this capability, celebrating our members’ achievements in a re-invigorated FirstPro Awards programme. We are introducing completely new categories to reflect the collegiate approach of the region and moving to a new venue – Coombe Abbey – for the April awards dinner.”
Cathy will be supported by Vice Chair James Oliver, Relationship Manager at Yorkshire Bank. The two are working closely with the Young Professional network to build on the success of the inaugural YoungPro. YoungPro 2018 was launched in September at Mallory Court, nominations for the awards, taking place in January 2018, are open now and the new category of Apprentice of the Year has been introduced.
A series of new initiatives, design to inform and connect members, is also being introduced. These include:
– A programme of private dinners, beginning in November with a dinner at which Ian Harrabin, Managing Director of Complex Development Projects and Ian Flynn, Inward Investment Manager at Invest in Warwickshire, will lead the discussion.
– A members-only Leaders’ Breakfast, at which local politicians will outline their vision and answer questions from members on its impact on theirs and their clients’ businesses.
– Coinciding with International Women’s Day will be a forum in which the region’s female leaders can share their experiences with the next generation, who in turn will benefit from relationships that will help them develop their careers.
