FWD Gold Medals awarded to 25 outstanding businesses and people

The FWD Gold Medal awards dinner, held last night (30 November) at Old Billingsgate, London, attracted a record number of guests.

The audience of 900 people gathered to celebrate the outstanding achievements of wholesaler and supplier businesses and talented people across the industry.

A total of 25 Gold Medals were awarded. Parfetts won the Retail Wholesaler accolade, Adams Foodservice was presented with the Foodservice Wholesaler award, Small Beer won On Trade Wholesaler, and Dunsters Farm was recognised as the top Wholesaler with a turnover of up to £50 million.

Among the individual wholesaler awards, Parfetts’ Holly Pennington was presented with the Emerging Talent award; Amanda Casey of JW Filshill was named Wholesale Star; Patrick Nayler of Creed Foodservice was crowned Wholesale Manager, and Kevin Peacock of JJ Foodservice won Star Driver after his heroic actions while out on his delivery route saved the life of a woman who had suffered a brain haemorrhage.

Introducing the awards, FWD chairman Dawood Pervez said: “We have so many talented people and progressive businesses within our sector who have been nominated for an award and whom we are proud to be recognising. All our judges have been inspired by the commitment, dedication, and sheer passion for excellence that has shone through.

“Our industry is all about its people and tonight we honour you, the individuals in the sector who make wholesale such an inspiring and valuable place to work. We have faced challenges and embraced successes to ensure our industry is a sector that continues to thrive.”

The winners:

Wholesaler awards:

Diversity in Wholesale: Creed Foodservice

Best Use of  Data &  Insight: Henderson Foodservice

Sustainable Wholesaler: Sysco GB

Telesales Star: Gail Davidson, Henderson Foodservice

Star Driver:  Kevin Peacock, JJ Foodservice

Wholesale Manager: Patrick Nayler, Creed Foodservice

Customer Development: Kane Pearce, JJ Foodservice

Wholesale Star: Amanda Casey, JW Filshill

Emerging Talent: Holly Pennington, Parfetts

Wholesaler with a turnover of up to £50m: Dunsters Farm

On Trade Wholesaler: Small Beer

Foodservice Wholesaler: Adams Foodservice

Retail Wholesaler: Parfetts

Supplier awards:

Use of  Data &  Insight:  Coca-Cola Europacific Partners

Service Provider: Lumina Intelligence

Service to Wholesale: Coca-Cola Europacific Partners

New Retail Product: Red Bull Juneberry

New Foodservice Product: Bisto Southern Fried Gravy, Premier Foods

Marketing & Promotional Activation: Coca-Cola Europacific Partners

Sustainable Supplier: Budweiser Brewing Group

Emerging Talent: Issy Blatherwick, Budweiser Brewing Group

Licensed Brand: Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Asahi UK

Foodservice Brand: Bisto, Premier Foods

Grocery Brand: Lucozade, Suntory Beverage & Food

Diversity in Wholesale:  Heineken UK