By Stacey Barnfield
Being a Solihull College alumnus it was a genuine privilege to be invited to sit on the judging panel for the annual Solihull BID Excellence Awards.
The awards are a celebration of all the great skills, trainees, customer services and innovation and creativity in Solihull town centre and aim to shine a light on its many different sectors and industries.
I sat alongside HM Deputy Lieutenant for the West Midlands David Bradnock; EY director Paul Brown; Solihull College principal John Callaghan and Schofield & Associates founder Eileen Schofield.
Businesses large and small and employees young and old compete for recognition in eight categories, all of which will be revealed at a sold-out ceremony on Thursday, November 23, at the St John’s Hotel on Warwick Road.
Solihull’s ability to nurture and keep hold its motivated workers is of critical importance to a borough that takes pride in being recognised as having the highest-skilled workforce in the West Midlands (NatWest report, 2016). From what I’ve seen through the judging process, this should continue for some time.
I’ve been fortunate to sit on numerous judging panels over the years and when you’re asked for feedback, it’s all-too easy to say ‘the standard this year was better than ever’, but, you know what, I can’t think of a more accurate description. It really was tough being a judge!
Keep up the good work, Solihull, and enjoy the praise these and other awards will bring.
Read the shortlist for the Solihull BID Excellence Awards in the Birmingham Post here. Or on the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce website here.
