SQPs from across the UK have been recognised for their outstanding professionalism and commitment to their training at the fifth National SQP Awards, which were held on Friday afternoon in London.
Charlotte Forkes-Rees, who works at Mole Country Stores in Berkeley, Gloucestershire, was named National SQP of the Year, and was also named Companion Animal SQP of the Year.
Emma Parkinson, a veterinary technician at Belmont Farm & Equine Vets in Bromyard Herefordshire, was named Farm SQP of the Year; the Equine SQP of the Year was Sandy Robertson, the owner of Lincolnshire-based Equine Endo; and Veterinary Practice SQP of the Year was Keri Whitwell, a veterinary nurse and clinical support manager at Isle Veterinary Group in Ely, Cambridgeshire.
Sammy Howorth, who works for ForFarmers, was named Newly Qualified SQP of the Year; the Outstanding Customer Service Award was presented to Lynette Wilcox from Mole Country Stores in Berkeley, Gloucestershire; and the Nutritional Expertise Award was won by Helen Peart, a farm representative for Aspatria Farmers in Penrith, Cumbria.
In the retail categories, TFM Countrystore in Whisby, Lincolnshire was named Independent Store of the Year and Nikki Harris from the business picked up the award for Store Manager of the Year title. Pets at Home’s York store was named Multiple Store of the Year.
This year’s Special Achievement Award was presented to Ceri Jones, the manager of Wynnstay’s store in Llanfair Caereinion; the Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Lesley Stubbings, who is well known for her work in the sheep sector, through SCOPS.
The National SQP Awards was hosted by comedian Justin Moorhouse.
Simon King, OvertheCounter’s editor, said: “After almost two years of not being able to meet with the industry face-to-face, the fifth National SQP Awards was a fantastic success and I am delighted that SQPs from across the UK have been recognised for their commitment to their customers.
“I’d like to thank the sponsors that supported the National SQP Awards and I’d also like to encourage even more SQPs to enter the 2022 awards programme. I know from speaking to some of the winners how proud they were to win an award and I firmly believe that winners should shout about their win in their community as winning a national award can drive a business forward. Well done to all the winners and those who were also highly commended.”
The photo gallery is now available online. To access it, click HERE.
The gallery password is: SQPawards2021; use the PIN 5397 to download photos.
