Page 13 - BOSS Today Issue 46

BOSS INDUSTRY AWARDS BOSS Today #46

BOSS AWARDS 2019 WINNERS

Brand Manufacturer New Product of the Year Service Provider of the Year
Fellowes UK Safescan UK: TimeMoto Office Friendly
Colop UK: Emark (Highly Commended)
Dealer Excellence Award <£5m Sustainable Business Awards
Office Oracle Outstanding Achievement Award Commercial Group
Cowens (Highly Commended) Steve Hilleard (OPI)
BOSS Apprentice of the Year
Dealer Excellence Award > £5m Professional of the Year Jo Pethard (United)
Paperstone Helen Wade (VOW Wholesale)
Unsung Hero
eBusiness Award Joint Winners Advantia Customer Service Team
Office Power: eBusiness Specials Emerging Professional of the Year (Advantia Business Solutions).
Scott Castle (VOW Wholesale) Matthew Allen (VOW), Phil Baylis
Initiative of the Year Alex Stone (Office Friendly) (Trodat), Steve Blowers (VOW),
BIC UK & Ireland: Tour de Rebecca Brook (VOW), Marilyn Caster
France Incentive Publication of the Year (Office Friendly), Levhayne Manning
Avery Office Products UK: The House Exertis Supplies (BSL-IT), Sarah Whale (VOW)
Sheffield Built (Highly Commended) Spicers (Highly Commended)

Professional Of The Year

Helen Wade: Marketing Director, VOW Wholesale

Q: Please describe your career to date. Q: Which industry figures have me a great sense of pride. Seeing
A: My intention was a career in sport, influenced you most? Scott Castle develop and then win
but due to a back injury I had to A: When I joined the industry I did find it the Emerging Professional Award this
change plans and qualified as an quite male-dominated, but getting to year is another highlight for me.
accountant at 23. I swiftly moved into know key female industry figures such
project management, then category as Julie Hawley and Simone Hindmarch Q: What has been the most challenging
development and finally store gave me confidence. I am also hugely moment in your career so far?
management for Boots. In 2013 I grateful to Andrew Stacey and Steve A: Initially, understanding the complexity
joined Fellowes and then went to EVO Haworth, who brought me to VOW, of the industry after transitioning
in early 2017 to look after product as well as the management team - from retail, but more recently leading
marketing for the group before Adrian Butler, Debbie Nice, Nikki Todd the 2020 VOW Wholesale catalogue
becoming VOW Wholesale Marketing and Martin Weedall to name but a production process. I have learned
Director in early 2018. few - who supported and coached me. more about page production, paper,
Finally, Darryl Brunt, who gave me my the print process and binding than I
Q: What was your first reaction on break at Fellowes and helped me to ever thought was possible!
winning this Award? understand the industry.
A: A huge sense of pride; to be Q: What difference will receiving this
recognised by the industry is Q: What has been the highlight of your Award make to you and your future
amazing! I am thankful to all that career in the industry so far? career?
have supported me, professionally A: This Award is a huge highlight, but A: This is a great industry and the Award
and personally. otherwise helping my team within secures my intention to remain within
VOW to grow and develop also gives it!

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