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OBE for Services to International Trade Stuart Gibbons, Managing Director of Le Mark Group Ltd, share his OBE story that he received by HRH The Princess Royal on October at Windsor Castle. On 2 December 2020, I was first advised that I had been ‘approved’ for an OBE by the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood based in St James Palace London. I was also informed that my name and nomination would be passed to HM The Queen for final Royal approval and confirmation! You can imagine my absolute shock to have received this information by an email! Apparently 2020, due to Covid-19, was the first year ever that emails had been used for official correspondence of this type. At first, there was total disbelief as I had never sought any recognition for doing the job I have loved and enjoyed for nearly 40 years. I have always been a passionate exporter, knowing that the UK must export to survive and flourish. As a committed DIT Export Ambassador, I enjoy encouraging new and existing SME exporters to take the international challenge. After sharing my shock and talking to my export team, it started to dawn on me the amount of work that had been done behind the scenes. Karolina Wlodarczyk, Head of Export had been approached in strictest confidence by the Chancery office back in March 2020. Being ‘sworn to secrecy’ she had been asked to provide a history of my exporting career alongside my community roles by researching Le Mark records. The nomination had in fact been submitted by the
Department of International Trade who had set the official wheels in motion. I must pay tribute to Karolina Wlodarczyk who kept the secret and did all that the Chancery asked her to do over a period of months, completely without me knowing! David Earp – International Trade Advisor for DIT was also a part of the ‘conspiracy of secrets’ acting as liaison for the DIT when they sought more information regarding my career. In all honesty, I do not believe my OBE nomination would have progressed without their commitment, professionalism, and diligence, and I am exceedingly grateful for all they did.
Award wins for Wyboston Lakes Resort Wyboston Lakes Resort’s team have been recognised in the Meetings Industry Association’s (mia) highly sought-after miaList 2021, which recognises inspiring and exceptional individuals in the business meetings and events industry. Simon McMahon, General Manager for Venues, and Linden Beattie, Hotel General Manager, both members of the resort’s senior management team, were recognised as the Best Events and Operations Team. The pair were key to getting the business ready for reopening after lockdown, launching the
resort’s comprehensive Covid Policy, running a Government Pilot event, and engaging and training staff to bring them back from furlough. Rachel Bradshaw, the Resort’s Front of House Manager, was also recognised in the list. The judges said that Bradshaw was an “unbelievable asset to the business particularly during the pandemic. She has shown resilience, adaptability, kindness, ceaseless energy and enthusiasm for her role and for her venue. Her maturity, integrity, and capability in making decisions shone through for the judges; she has without a doubt showcased her future potential within the sector.” Wyboston Lakes Resort has also won an important award at the IACC’s annual Europe Festival of Knowledge, a major international event for the meetings and events industry across the continent. The Bedfordshire resort won the IACC Better Tomorrow Service Week Award of Achievement. Steve Jones, Managing Director of Wyboston Lakes Resort, commented: “To gain this high recognition from IACC, a prestigious international organisation, in the company of events professionals and venues across Europe is a wonderful honour and a superb testament to the skills and commitment of our team.”
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