Rising Star Award finalists announced
As the forthcoming annual Women In Meat Industry Awards ceremony approaches, the finalists for the prestigious Rising Star Award have been revealed, with the winner scheduled to be announced on the evening of 18th November 2021.
Following a very successful online broadcast last year, the Women In Meat Industry Awards makes a welcome return to an in-person event at the Hilton London Metropole on 18th November 2021. This year the presentations will take place as part of a black-tie dinner, hosted by sports personality, Olympic medallist and TV broadcaster Katharine Merry.
Highlighting the work and achievements of exceptional women, the Women in Meat Industry Awards seeks to honour the hard work of those who are, or are becoming, leading members of the business. The Rising Star Award, in particular, is awarded to an individual who is leading the way as part of the next generation of meat industry stars.
Rising Star Award 2020
Last year’s winner was Katie Potter of Tim Potter Son & Daughter Ltd.
Katie contributes tirelessly and enthusiastically to her family’s business and has launched Katie’s Pantry within the popular high street butchers’ shop, selling award-winning pies, pasties, deli items and cooked meats.
The pantry quickly developed a roaring trade especially during the lockdown periods of last year, providing locally-sourced meat to those struggling to secure supermarket delivery slots. Katie also rises extremely early every Thursday morning to pack 40 ‘paid forward’ meat and veg boxes for families facing food poverty and is also supporting local schools.
A real ambassador for the meat trade with as big future in front of her, Katie is a true rising star!
Accepting the award last year, Katie said: “I am absolutely delighted to have won the Rising Star award. I can’t thank my family, friends and customers enough for taking the time to vote for me, it really does mean the world to me that their support has enabled me to win this amazing award.”
This year’s finalists are…
GRACE CABARBAYE – Commercial Manager, Dalehead Foods
Grace is responsible for commercial management of the gammon category, the easy to cook category and the BBQ category within Dalehead Foods. The company confirm that Grace has consistently looked at ways to demonstrate innovation and leadership. A good example goes back to the start of the Covid-19 pandemic when Grace developed new solutions to help respond to the pressure created by customer demand, and actively led the response by the company to distribution challenges. Her nomination confirms that Grace remains eager to learn and has made a significant impact on the business during the short period she has been employed.
ANNABEL PALMER – Business Development Manager, Buitelaar Group
Despite joining Buitelaar during a global pandemic, Annabel has shown true resilience and devotion to the company and the wider industry. She leads a brand new marketing team and has undertaken a full rebrand and developed a new website. In addition, with significant input from Annabel, the business has expanded its meat brand range – Heritage Hallmark – and created an outlet for external calf sales. Annabel has been instrumental in developing an increased social media presence, now reaching over 45,000 on Facebook. She has created various graduate schemes and is a mentor for new entrants.
PAULA LOBB – Group Technical Manager, ABP Birmingham
Being awarded a scholarship jointly by The Worshipful Company of Butchers and The Institute of Meat whilst in her final year at university really solidified Paula’s decision to seek a career within the meat industry. Starting as a graduate at ABP, Paula aspired to be within the group technical function and achieved this within 4 years, a remarkably quick progression. Her line manager comments that Paula never questions work requests or changes, even at very short notice, meeting the needs of the company and protecting company values, and is always mindful of her colleagues’ welfare.
ELLIE GEDDES – HR Manager, ABP York & Group Support
Ellie confirms that her favourite thing about working at ABP is ‘hands down’ the people. She says ‘I have met some incredible people and forged some great relationships working for this company.’ During her time with ABP, Ellie has made the transition from an administrator with a flair for design, to HR Administrator and helped to form a new more streamline HR team which put ABP people right at the heart of its operation. Her line manager said that she is incredibly proud of Ellie as she demonstrates company pride, company values, loyalty, commitment, and an excellent work ethic.
REBECCA ROBINSON – Butcher, Becky’s Butchers
Becky has built up her own business in what were redundant buildings on the family farm. Since the first Lockdown the shop has grown in size and in volume of customers. Becky’s aim is to provide good quality local products in her shop including a variety of different flavour sausages, burgers and pies. Apart from the shop her private butchery trade has increased with livestock owners travelling across Essex and Suffolk to get their produce butchered and packaged professionally. Customers and colleagues agree that she is an absolute credit to her chosen career.
- Full details covering the 2021 awards and the opportunity to book tables and tickets for the ceremony can be accessed easily and quickly online. This year’s dinner takes place on Thursday 18th November 2021 at The Hilton London Metropole Hotel and dinner tickets include a free wine and drinks package: www.womeninmeatawards.com.
Thanks to the official partners:
Event date is subject to ongoing Government rulings on public assembly and therefore the organisers reserve the right to make appropriate changes if required affecting the date or venue at their absolute discretion.
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