Award celebrates exceptional new employees in the foodservice equipment sector
Tyler Speight of Advance Group has won the prestigious Apprentice of the Year award at this year’s FEA conference.
The award, which was presented at the gala dinner after the annual conference day, celebrates the contributions of apprentices who have demonstrated significant commitment to their training, have applied their learning in their work, and who have demonstrated inspirational levels of achievement.
FEA chief executive John Cunningham CFSP and award sponsor John Gilbert presented Tyler with the award. They commented that the judging panel, which consisted of the two Johns and previous FEA chair Paul Anderson, had a difficult job of picking the winner as the quality of entries were exceptional this year. John Gilbert said, “We had a difficult time choosing from such a high calibre field, but after much deliberation Tyler emerged as the unanimous decision.”
The jury also recognised two runners up, Thomas Hamid from Airedale Group and James Rainey from Falcon Foodservice Equipment, who were presented with certificates. “To be recognised and nominated by your company is an honour in itself,” says John. “Thomas and James should be extremely proud of themselves.
Along with the award Tyler takes home a £1,000 cash prize and a bursary covering the cost of participating in the Principles of Foodservice (PFS) and Certified Food Service Professional (CFSP) courses, which are run by FEA.
The conference also saw new FEA chair Emma Brooks present the Chair’s Awards, honouring those who have helped to drive the foodservice industry forward during their careers. Winners this year included Kirstin Hatherley-Bramwell, managing director of Hatherley Commercial Services and current chair of Ceda, Malcolm Skinner, managing director of Marren Microwave, Simon Frost CFSP, managing director of Hoshizaki, Erik Mul, technical product manager of ACO, Steve Hobbs CFSP, director of Grande Cuisine, and Lord Trefgarne, the patron of FEA.