The efforts of staff and suppliers were recognised at Bestway Wholesale’s annual performance awards, held in central London and attended by over 400 people.

Bestway chief executive Zameer Choudrey CBE with manager of the year, Shahid Akbar, of Bestway, Darwen.

The list of winners spanned Bestway and Batleys staff working in the own-label, catering and export departments, as well as at head office.

The top staff awards went to Stevie Wilkie (leading depot (Bestway Batleys, Glasgow), and Shahid Akbar (manager, Bestway, Darwen).

Commenting on the awards, group chief executive Zameer Choudrey CBE said: “We value the role staff play in putting the best into Bestway; that’s why occasions such as tonight are incredibly important for us.

“We sometimes forget the contribution that individuals make to the business. But these are the people who make the difference – from pickers to delivery drivers and from business development executives to depot staff.

“These are the people who are at the coalface of the business and who play an integral role in engaging and building our relationships with customers.”

Bestway Batleys Glasgow manager Wilkie said: “That’s three awards in four months and while I’ll happily take the plaudits, it really has been a total team effort with every single member of the team contributing.”

Bestway Darwen’s Akbar commented: “To be named manager of the year really is the pinnacle of my business life.”

Total sales in the Glasgow branch (formerly operating as Sher) rose by 47% last year.

Other winners:

• Catering: Bellevue Edinburgh
• Club/symbol: Bestway Team Valley
• Web: Bestway Brighton
• Export: Bestway Liverpool
• Own-label: Batleys Cambuslang
• World foods: Bestway Luton
• Head office employee: Syed Zeeshan Haider, senior analyst
• Head office department: marketing & digital

Supplier awards:

• Overall: Coca-Cola Enterprises
• Most innovative: Britvic Soft Drinks
• Most improved: Heineken UK

Tel: Bestway Wholesale 020-8453 1234