Wednesday 8th November 2023
PRESS RELEASE: Available for immediate release
Newcastle Upon Tyne, 8th November, 2023 – The Institute of Supply Chain Management (IoSCM), a global leader in supply chain professional development, has successfully concluded its highly anticipated Supply Chain Awards 2023. The event, held at the Crowne Plaza on Thursday 2nd November, brought together industry leaders, professionals and organisations to celebrate excellence and innovation within the supply chain.
The Supply Chain Awards served as a platform to recognise and honour the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations across the sector. With a significant number of nominations across each of the award categories, the event highlighted the hard work, dedication, and innovation that have contributed to the continued growth and success of the industry as a whole.
The evening was marked by a series of distinguished awards in various categories, showing the remarkable achievements of individuals and organisations involved in the industry. The awards presented during the event included:
Contribution to Wider Supply Chain Improvement, sponsored by Pathfinder – this was awarded to Karsten Smet for the creation of a process that streamlines and modernises workflow processes in pharmaceutical, food and industrial markets. Oomph Works, a part of ACI Group which Karsten is a founder of, is currently developing a platform to optimise this process, which will encompass everything from customer management and automation of daily administration operations, to managing staff and company performance via its data-driven AI dashboard.
Defying the Odds, sponsored by TeesGlobal – Joshua Leach-Aslam received this award for his unwavering dedication, exceptional skills, and relentless pursuit of success, despite facing the immense challenge of losing his hearing in Afghanistan while serving in the British Army. Through determination and resilience he has carved a successful career.
Contribution to Wider Supply Chain Industry, sponsored by the Crowne Plaza Hotel – this award was bestowed upon Bloom Procurement Services for its innovative and ground-breaking service, providing quality supply chain opportunities to their clients.
Contribution to Education, sponsored by DLC Training – this was presented to Tim Young for his commitment to the procurement profession and, in particular, his work in introducing young people to the sector and highlighting the benefits of a neuro-divergent workplace.
Employer of the Year, sponsored by RFCA – this was awarded to AG Barr for demonstrating its commitment to employee development, wellbeing and its fantastic work in achieving a supportive and successful workplace culture.
Learner of the Year, sponsored by SFEDI Awards – this award was presented to Jenna Shields for demonstrating exceptional progression and development throughout her IoSCM Level 7 Diploma qualification. When asked about the evening she said, “I had a fantastic night and was completely shocked when it was announced! I was really taken aback by the award and was overwhelmed. It was great to have the recognition for my Level 7 course and the work and dedication I have had to give it.”
Member of the Year, sponsored by Murtek IT – this was awarded to Alison Hackwell for her unmatched expertise in supply chain and HR, providing valuable insights into sustainability, consumer demand led supply chains and the future of the industry. Alison said, “I felt truly honoured to be nominated for the ‘Member of the Year’ title at the recent IoSCM Awards. The moment my name was announced as the winner during the esteemed award ceremony in Newcastle last week was incredibly special. I am immensely grateful to everyone at IoSCM for orchestrating such a fantastic event. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have enjoyed a remarkably rewarding career in global, European, and UK supply chains over the past 35 years and am looking forward to continuing to support the valuable work of IoSCM in future.”
Contribution to Innovation, sponsored by Durham Business Group – this award was presented to Sarah Cookson for successfully implementing change management methods in her workplace after completing the Level 5 Supply Chain and Operations qualification. She also quickly moved onto the Level 7 Extended Diploma, which reinforces Sarah’s commitment to innovation in the industry.
Special Recognition for Advancing the Professional Development of Our Armed Forces – this award was presented to WO2 (RQMS) Daniel Carter for being the driving force behind professional development of the supply trades within the Royal Signals, part of Project Caduceus , an initiative which supports Senior NCOs with their development in the military or transitioning into a civilian career. This award was also presented to WO2 (RQMS) Steven Tyler and Amber Henshaw for their outstanding efforts in identifying the need for a professional development programme and working to bring this into fruition to support the knowledge development of young soldiers in the Royal Logistic Corps.
Young Achiever of the Year (Philip Chaganis Award), sponsored by UMI Commercial – the recipient of this award was Alfie Owen. After successfully completing the IoSCM Level 3 Diploma, he immediately progressed to the Level 6 Diploma, which is extremely impressive for his young age. His dedication to learning highlighted his extraordinary commitment and strong focus to his career development within the supply chain industry.
Celebrating Excellence Within the Supply Chain (Kevin Rumfitt Award) – this was awarded to Opeto Tonny for his outstanding commitment to professional development in leadership and management and supply chain operations.
For the first time, the award ceremony also presented The Sustain Chain Awards, which is IoSCM’s initiative helping the global supply chain to address the environmental and economic impact of the industry on the the planet. The awards presented included:
Delivering Corporate Social Improvements Within Business – the recipient of this award was Humankind, a charity committed to reducing deprivation and exclusion and to improving people’s well-being.
Championing Corporate Social Responsibility Within the Workplace – Prima Cheese was recognised with this fantastic award for establishing a Fairness, Equality and Diversity (FED) committee that highlights its commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace for its employees.
Sustainability Champion – this award celebrated the efforts of Terry Hanlon for his remarkable work with Kier Construction and its supply chain partners to raise awareness for social mobility, social value and social equity.
Award for Outstanding Charity or Community Project – this award was honoured to Team Emotive, for successfully completing the Talisker Atlantic Challenge to raise money for the Veterans at Ease charity. The challenge consisted of rowing 3000 miles from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua. The team completed this awe-inspiring task in 45 days, 1 hour and 54 minutes.
Delivering Sustainable Improvements Within the Workplace – Durham Coffee received this award for a number of its ground-breaking initiatives, from partnering with charities to produce special coffee blends, their delivery scheme, and ethical sourcing processes.
Delivering Positive Change in the Reduction of Single Use Plastics – Bee Natural was honoured with this award for their work to reduce the use of single plastics through their bees wax wraps, which are designed for everyday use to eliminate products such as cling film and throw away bags.
The recipients of these prestigious awards were selected through a rigorous evaluation process, ensuring that the most deserving nominees were recognised for their contributions to the industry.
IoSCM’s CEO, Jacky Stansfield Smith, expressed her gratitude for the tremendous support and participation in this year’s awards. She said, “The Supply Chain Awards 2023 have showcased the remarkable talent within our industry. The dedication of these professionals and organisations is truly inspiring and reinforces the critical role of the supply chain in today’s global economy. We are proud to be a part of this community and continue to support and celebrate excellence in supply chain management.”
As the world grapples with ongoing supply chain challenges, events like IoSCM’s Supply Chain Awards play an essential role in highlighting the resilience and adaptability of the sector. It is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and ingenuity of those who drive the industry forward.
IoSCM looks forward to continuing its mission of promoting excellence and innovation within the supply chain community. The organisation is committed to providing the best educational and professional development resources to help industry professionals thrive in an ever-changing world.
About IoSCM
IoSCM is a globally recognised institute, offering a comprehensive range of flexible supply chain management qualifications and professional memberships. With a wide-range of levels and a focus on promoting best practice and setting the highest standards across the industry, IoSCM equips professionals and organisations with the skills and expertise required to drive supply chain excellence.
ENDS
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For further information, please contact Kirsty Brownlee on 0800 1422 522 or email kirsty@ioscm.com