Last night’s Retail Week Rising Stars awards showcased the brightest and best of upcoming talent in the industry.

Industry veteran Theo Paphitis was on hand to congratulate the winners, and comedian Russell Kane provided entertainment.

 

BUYER/MERCHANDISER OF THE YEAR

Category Winner - Alex Ball, Boots

Also nominated:

Minwei Deng, Clarks
Sarah Hodges, Clinton Cards
Sarah Smith, The Disney Store
Geraldine McIvor, Henderson Retail

ONLINE TEAM/INDIVIDUAL OF THE YEAR

Category Winner - Joanna Robb, B&Q

Also nominated:

Rachel Horsefield, Boots
Jodie Bennett, The Disney Store
Lou Ashton, New Look
Sainsbury’s, Beckton Store online department

STORE SUPPORT MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Category Winner - Kate Barrett, Sainsbury’s

Also nominated:

Oliver Warner, Boots
Katie Donohoe,The Carphone Warehouse Ireland
Danny Greaves, Countrywide
Matthew Woodward, Topshop Topman

AREA MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Category Winner - Paul Cooney, Iceland

Also nominated:

Tom Rickett, Clarks
Kam Birk, The Carphone Warehouse
Craig Ash, Topshop Topman

MARKETING PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

Category Winner - Sophie Heap, Co-operative

Also nominated:

Max Sydenham, Buyagift
Naomi Hansford, Clarks
Nicola Fox, Holland & Barrett
Lewis Hamilton, Topman

HR/TRAINING PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

Category Winner - Laura Guest, House of Fraser

Also nominated:

Sophie Hosier, Debenhams
Joanna Hulcoop, The Disney Store
Niall Dobson, Sainsbury’s

HEAD OFFICE SUPPORT TEAM OF THE YEAR

Category Winner - Topshop Topman, Retail Operations Team

Also nominated:

Argos, Shrinkage and Compliance Team
Debenhams, RetailOperations Support
Iceland, Corporate Audit Team

CUSTOMER SERVICE INDIVIDUAL/TEAM OF THE YEAR

Category Winner - Schuh Customer service team

Also nominated:

A Suit that Fits, Customer Support Team
Clarks - Leap! Customer service team
The H Samuel Dewsbury Customer Service Team

STORE MANAGER OF THE YEAR: MIDLANDS, WALES & SOUTH WEST

Category Winner - Amanda Allan, Debenhams

Also nominated:

Jonathan Hancock, Bhs
Amanda Daly, Body Shop
Orladh Seddon, Karen Millen
Darren Dodd, Signet
Alan Fripp, Topshop Topman

STORE MANAGER OF THE YEAR: NORTH OF ENGLAND

Category Winner - Robert Donlan, Clarks

Also nominated:

Wes Bowie, BrightHouse
Kevin Richards, Iceland
Kris Waterson, Republic
Phil Butterfield, Sainsbury’s

STORE MANAGER OF THE YEAR: SCOTLAND & IRELAND

Category Winner - Rebecca Carman,The Carphone Warehouse Ireland

Also nominated:

Fiona Smith, Bhs
Micha Solana, Blackwell’s
John Lockhart, Sainsbury’s

STORE MANAGER OF THE YEAR: SOUTH EAST AND EAST ANGLIA

Category Winner - Khadijah Chaoui, Topshop Topman

Also nominated:

Laurie Casson, Debenhams
Phil Willmott, Sainsbury’s
Melissa Chowdhury, Signet
Dillon Heffernan, Iceland

SKILLSMART RETAIL APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR

Category Winner - April Bell, Monica F Hewitt Florist

Also nominated:

Abbey Fenton, The Funky Viking
Nicholas Allen, Wickes
Fiona Tillson, Wickes

NATIONAL SKILLS ACADEMY FOR RETAIL LEARNER OF THE YEAR

Category Winner - Karolina Sulinska, Lakeside Training Centre

Also nominated:

Janette Susan, The Learning Shop, Bluewater
Aaron Naylor, Llandrillo Retail Skills Shop

NATIONAL SKILLS ACADEMY FOR RETAIL TRAINER OF THE YEAR

Category Winner - Marcus Pescod, Central South East

Also nominated:

Helen Hodgkinson, Llandrillo Retail Skills Shop
Helen Crossley, Preston Skills Shop

NATIONAL SKILLS ACADEMYFOR RETAIL AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR

Category Winner - Suzanne Burnett, Marks & Spencer

Also nominated:

Lynn Livingstone, Tesco

RETAIL WEEK RISING STAR OF THE YEAR

Winner - Kate Barrett, Sainsbury’s