The House of Commons played host to the third annual Avanta Awards when over 120 guests came together on Tuesday 4th November to celebrate the outstanding achievements of individuals who have overcome adversity to achieve success. Plus, the awards honoured successful partner organisations that have worked with us over the past 12 months.
The event sponsor was Joan Ryan MP and it was well attended by partners, employers, sponsors and staff, as well as a number of constituency MP’s. Guest enjoyed speeches from Janette Faherty and Stuart Vere, as well as an address from Rt Hon James Purnell, Secretary of State for Employment and Welfare Reform and MP for Stalybridge and Hyde constituency, where one of the award winners originates from.
The Awards were presented as follows: Pauline Robson: Business Start-Up of the Year 2008, presented by Dawn Marsh, Regional Director for the North Sandra Basham: Learner of the Year 2008, presented by Will Pratt, Group Operations Director Ben Drury: Achiever of the Year 2008, presented by Rt Hon James Purnell, Secretary of State for Employment and Welfare Reform and MP for Stalybridge and Hyde constituency First: Partner of the Year 2008 (joint winner between Greater Manchester for pre-employment support work and West London, Alperton Garage, for work in enhancing skills in work/improving basic skills of employees), presented by Dr Brian Iddon MP for Bolton South and Dawn Butler MP for Brent
In addition, this year also saw the second year of the Avanta Press Awards, to recognise the best and brightest employment and enterprise writing in the UK. The winners were presented as follows: Edward Fennell of The Times: National media winner Greg Wright of The Yorkshire Post: Regional media winner Verity Gough of HR Zone and Training Zone: Specialist media winner