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22 April 2016
Jenny Simpson, who carried the Olympic Torch in 2012 in regcognition of her contribution to the local community has just received another accolade, this time for her professional contribution. A client manager at Stewart Fletcher & Barrett, Jenny was named FirstPro 2016 at a gala dinner held last night at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.
FirstPro is run by Coventry & Warwickshire First, the only membership organisation to exclusively represent the interests of the region’s professional services sector. An award for individuals, FirstPro recognises exceptional professionals and showcases the depth and breadth of talent within the region.
Winner of the Young Professional category, Jenny beat tough competition from Coventry and Warwickshire’s leading professionals to secure the title.
“Jenny is a talented and driven young woman,” said Andrew Smith, Chair of Coventry & Warwickshire First and Partner at Shakespeare Martineau. “Last year was a big year for her. At just 22 she passed her professional exams and was immediately promoted to Client Manager. She now manages a team of four, looks after nearly 200 clients and showed a strong track record of going the extra mile for her clients.
“She also finds time to contribute to her local community. She runs her local Brownie unit and has served as a parish councillor, her contribution being recognised in 2012 when she was selected to carry the Olympic torch.
“Jenny embodies the approach we value. With Jenny and colleagues like her I’m confident our sector is in safe hands!”
This year the competition was incredibly tough. The judges selected the finalists from over 80 nominations, more than ever before and then interviewed each before selecting the winners.
Nominees are assessed against three criteria: performance at work; their contribution to Coventry and Warwickshire; and the intangible x-factor.
The category winners are:
Legal Professional: Emma Gamble, Shakespeare Martineau
Finance Professional: Rachel Horner, SFB Tax Solutions Limited
Banking Professional: Ravinder Bagri: Santander Corporate & Commercial Banking
Property Professional: Paul Rice, Wright Hassall
Business Services Professional: Phil Ewing, Harrison Beale & Owen
Young Professional: Jenny Simpson, Stewart Fletcher & Barrett
Highly Commended
Legal Professional: Jeremy Hyde, Wright Hassall and Hannah Bates, Shakespeare Martineau
Young Professional: Chrissie Elliot-Duxson, University of Warwick
An outstanding contribution
Three individuals nominated this year were deemed by the judges to have made an Outstanding Contribution to the professional services sector in Coventry and Warwickshire and to the region’s wider business community.
The individuals singled out for this honour were:
Adam Dent, co-founder and managing director of Advent Communications;
Larry Coltman of Coltman & Co, his own highly respected litigation legal practice; and
Richard Hardy, founding partner of Bromwich Hardy and one of the most experienced chartered surveyors in the region.