Seeking FirstPro 2016
FirstPro recognises exceptional professionals in Coventry and Warwickshire, showcasing the depth and breadth of talent within the region. An award for individuals, each category celebrates the leading professional within the relevant sector.
Nominations for FirstPro 2016 have now closed.
From more than 80 nominations 36 were shortlisted across the six categories. The talented finalists are:
Banking Professional: Ravinder Bagri (Santander); Narinder Dhandwar (Barclays); Debbie Harper (HSBC); Sukhjeeven Nat (Santander); Roger Scott (Lloyds Bank).
Business Services Professional: Tracy Benbow (Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber); Adam Dent (Advent Communications); Phil Ewing (Harrison Beale & Owen); Phil Ingle (Phil Ingle Associates); Neal Lowe (SFB Needham Insurance Services); Mark Moseley (Band Hatton Button); Cheryll Rawbone (AJ Gallagher); Paul Sullivan (52 Global Consultancy Services).
Finance Professional: Deborah Austin (Dafferns); Jane Cooper ((UK Export Finance); Sean Farnell (Burgis & Bullock); Rachel Horner (SFB Group); Sanjay Myanger (Dafferns).
Legal Professional: Hannah Bates (Shakespeare Martineau); Lucie Byron (Wright Hassall); Larry Coltman (Coltman Warner Cranston); Emma Gamble (Shakespeare Martineau); Jeremy Hyde (Wright Hassall); Richard Jenkins (Claric Legal).
Property Professional: Simon Davis (Assured Property); Richard Hardy (Bromwich Hardy); Martyn Howard (Drake Howard); Paul Rice (Wright Hassall); Louise Richardson (Warwickshire County Council); Liz Taylor (Liz Taylor Lettings).
Young Professional: Balpreet Bains (SFB Group); Sophie Breeze (Dafferns); Katie Chedgley (AJ Gallagher); Chrissie Elliot-Duxson (University of Warwick); Paige Howitt (Dafferns); Jenny Simpson (SFB Group).
Watch the finalists describe the way they felt when they found they had made it onto the shortlist.
Click here to read more information on the selection criteria.
The finalists have now been interviewed by the judging panel: Andrew Smith, Chair of Coventry & Warwickshire First and Partner of Shakespeare Martineau; Phil Peak Senior Account Manager at the Growth Hub; Martin Gibbs, Immediate Past Chair of Coventry & Warwickshire First and Managing Partner of Dafferns Chartered Accountants; and Brian McGinity, Treasurer of Cystitis and Overactive Bladder Foundation, one of the nominated charities for the 2016 FirstPro Awards.
Celebrating the winners
The winners of FirstPro 2016 will be announced at a black tie dinner, being held at the Ricoh Arena at 6.30pm on Thursday 21 April. The evening has a reputation for being a fun celebration of the talent in the region. It’s ideal for entertaining your clients or saying thank you to employees. Click here to book your table of ten now.
Sponsorship
FirstPro 2016 presents a perfect opportunity to showcase your business to the Coventry and Warwickshire business and professional services community. Click here to find out more about the opportunities available.
Email Angela Tellyn [admin@coventryfirst.co.uk] to book your sponsorship opportunity.

