Nominate. Celebrate. Be inspired. That was the Institute of Leadership’s request and many answered the call. On Friday 15 November 2024 the Institute returned to host their second Leadership Awards at the Hilton London Bankside in London. All the great photos are from Jas Sansi Photography.
The Institute of Leadership wanted to pay tribute to extraordinary organisations and individuals personifying the genuine spirit of inspirational leadership at every level. They had the following organisational awards:
- Supporting Young Leaders: winner – The Wisdom Hub
- Employee Wellbeing Award: winner – Asda
- Organisational Agility Award: winner – Gilfresh Group
- Digital Leaders Award: winner – University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
- Most innovative Institute approved programme Award: winner – Finastra
- The Leadership Excellence Award: winner – Happy Ltd
They also had the individual awards:
- Emerging Young Leader Award: winner – Dr Victoria Selwyn
- Institute Advocate of the Year Award: winner – Oliver Rendell FIoL
- The Leadership Excellence Award: winner – Nicola Smith
- Leadership Book of the Year – Author: winner – Russell Beck
At The Maverick Paradox we catalyse transformation enabling organisations to enhance their leadership capability. We enable them to thrive in complex, constantly changing environments. You can find out more about what we do here.
It was with great trepidation then that I attended the Awards Ceremony having The Maverick Paradox being made a Finalist in the Organisation Leadership Excellence Category. Whilst we eventually lost out to Happy Ltd, I had a fabulous time mingling with the other Finalists, Winners and their guests. It was a great evening, although we missed seeing CEO John Mark Williams who commiserated me when I did not win the Leadership Excellence Award – Individual Category last year!
The fun of the evening made up for not winning a second time, albeit in a different category!
A fun event
Whilst it was a well organised event, CEO John Mark Williams was missed and not just for his dancing skills!
The vibe was relaxed, engaging and fun. There were plenty of great people to talk to, who have interesting roles, missions and plans. The event began with a drinks reception giving us a chance to soak up the expectant atmosphere, network and have a pre dinner drink.
Following our first foray into networking we responded to the call to our 3 course dining experience. Dinner was Citrus cured salmon, roasted fennel, pickled candy bettroot & apple, dill creme fraiche, Keta caviar & beetroot gel. Caramelised onion & Cambozola tart, truffle mayonnaise, chicory, pear & walnut salad.
Followed by feather blade of beef, carrot puree, celeriac, wild mushrooms, gratin Dauphinois & red wine jus. Potato gnocchi, pot roasted root vegetables, parsnip crisps, chestnut mushroom & cep veloute.
Then to finish raspberry pannacotta, pineapple salsa, lemon shortbread crumbs & mango sorbet. Coffee and chocolate. Delicious.
Then there was the award ceremony followed by more conversation on different tables and more relaxed networking! The table that I was on had 3 finalists (myself included) and 2 winners! A great place to be for conversation.
I met so many interesting people that I can’t mention them all. However special mention must go to:
- Caroline Watkinson, Commercial Director, Bauer Academy, who I engaged with delightful conversation on a whole host of leadership topics.
- James Moffatt, Managing Director, Embed Learning & CLEAR Training Ltd who kept me entertained with leadership stories.
- Jon Everett, Trustee and Director, Support Staffordshire, where we reconnected from last year. There was a lot of laughter as we swapped stories
- Danny Wareham, Director of Firgun, we had an enjoyable time discussing psychology and other related subjects. What a great conversationalist!
- I was sat in between Sarah Langslow, Executive Leadership Coach and Zoryna O’Donnell Director of L&M Consulting Ltd – the three of us spent almost the entire dinner laughing and giggling and learning. Both great conversationalists.
It was a night of catching up with:
- Michael Tabirade, Coach and Trustee of The Institute of Leadership. Always great conversations and he must win the award for never leaving the dance floor!
- Dr Maria Katsarou-Makin MD of Leadership Mavericks Ltd, catching up is always fun
- Emrys Green, Director, Cloud Artisans Ltd
- Andrew Kincaid, Sales Development Manager at CBRE and Trustee at the Institute of Leadership
- Graeme Jackson who won the Leadership Excellence Award – Individual Category last
Then from 10.30pm to just after midnight was the live entertainment and dancing.
What a fun event!
