Family Business United is delighted to announce the winners of the 2024 Family Business Lifetime Achievement Awards following a Gala Dinner in London on September 19. The awards were presented at the end of National Family Business Day, a day that FBU created many years ago to celebrate the significant contribution of family firms to the UK economy.
As Paul Andrews, Founder and CEO of FBU explains, "These awards are a perfect reminder of the significant investment individuals make in creating or continuing a family business, family and non-family members alike, and it was a privilege and a pleasure to meet the winners this year. Our twelve winners have all demonstrated a lifetime of commitment to their roles, put hours of work into making an impact and all of them have created a legacy that has been recognised and appreciate by all those around them. Listening to each of their stories during the evening as they accepted their awards was incredible. The love, respect and support of those in the room was palpable towards each and every recipient too."
The twelve recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Awards for 2024 are:
Allan Reeder - Allan Reeder Limited
Chris Bence - George Bence & Sons Ltd
Steve Collett - Westlands Farm Shop
Younis Chaudhry - Regal Food Products Group Plc
Calogero Piazza - Roman Pools Ltd
Andre Wilkins - The Wilkins Group
Kevin McCabe - Scarborough Group International
Angela Fan - Study Links International
Margaret Reid - Redpath Bruce Property Management Ltd
Suheil Haddad - Dina Foods
Richard Britten - Bagnalls
Bob Thomson - Vcare24 Limited
At the end of the winner an overall Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Angela Fan of Study Links International.
As Paul continues, "Angela was recognised by the judges as an inspiration. She has devoted a lifetime to making a difference to others, spending over 35 years building a business that has shaped the lives of thousands of students and their families in a truly meaningful way, all across the world, having put so many others futures and wellbeing before her own, and at the same time raising her own family."
"What started out supporting students in the UK from just Hong Kong families grew to looking after 90 different nationalities of students who came to the UK to study."
"Angela’s journey from a compassionate educator to the founder of Study Links is testament to her unwavering commitment to nurturing the next generation. With a heart as vast as her determination, she turned a voluntary endeavour into a lifeline for thousands of students worldwide. Angela’s legacy is etched in the countless lives she has touched, the students under her care, the families she has supported and the difference that she has made."
"Winning this award honours her remarkable journey whilst celebrating the profound influence that she will have on generations to come. As one of our judges sums it up – The world needs more people like Angela!"
"Congratulations on the National Lifetime Achievement winner, Angela Fan from Study Links," concludes Paul.
Accepting the award Angela adds, "Winning this award is fantastic and humbling at the same time, especially when you consider the other award winners and all that they have achieved too."
"I am incredibly proud of the business that we have created and the impact that it has had on so many people. I am thrilled and with the next generation now leading the business the future looks good too and we will continue to support those under our guardianship as they follow their dreams too."
Next Generation Success
Earlier in the evening Mia Simpson of VCare24 was presented with the Next Generation award by Nick Mayhew of Alembic Strategy with the judges commenting on the fact that "She is an extraordinary individual who has a multi-faceted role within their family firm and serves as a bridge between different generations. Her impact goes beyond the family connection with a dedication for advocating and embedding the company’s core values and improving the way things are done. She brings a blend of the traditional with the contemporary and their ability, competence and unwavering commitment continue to make a difference."
"Mia has a major impact on the business, performance and culture and her passion, expertise and forward thinking makes her an invaluable asset to the business, demonstrating commitment to excellence and helping shape the future."
"She is inspirational in showing just what the next generation can do, making a major impact in a relatively short period of time and making a difference that go beyond her years."
The Inaugural Now Generation Award
And the final award to be presented on the evening went to Ellie Jobes of Bagnalls. Ellie was presented with the inaugural 'Now Generation Award' for her work and impact on the family business.
As Paul continues, "There were some great candidates but there was a clear winner. Ellie is an outstanding individual with her impact on the business since joining described by one judge as remarkable, leading from the front and propelling the business forward."
"Ellie has a clear passion for what they do, balancing the role in a family firm with life as a parent, juggling hats successfully and making a real difference. She is resilient, dedicated, hard working and achieving great things in the family firm too, a driving force for positive change and development."
"Ellie is an inspiration to others and her vision and ambition will continue to be invaluable as she pioneers change within the business and the positive impact of her ideas and actions continue to be reaped at all levels, from apprentices to directors. Ellie is passionate, driven and achieving great things and truly deserving of the inaugural now generation award," concludes Paul.
Check out the gallery from the evening here:
These awards are organised by Family Business United and part of the National Family Business of the Year Awards programme. You can find out more about the awards, how to enter or nominate a family business or a family business member here
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