Leading businesses from across the county came together at a glittering awards ceremony at The Halston in Carlisle to celebrate their success.
The first award of the night went to The Cumberland’s Brand and Marketing manager Phil Ward in recognition of his work on the Kinder Banking campaign and the Kinder Shop which gave people the chance to pay for items with kindness rather than cash.
Phil was delighted to win the prestigious Best Marketeer award and was interviewed about the Kinder Shop on stage by award winning stand-up comedian Cally Beaton who was hosting the event.
“It was the highlight of the year and gave a big boost to some amazing local charities,” he said.
The Kinder Shop saw local people ‘pay’ for goods by donating over 1100 hours to local charities.
The pop-ups which took place in Carlisle, Kendal and Dumfries in June and supported charities including Age UK, Anti-Racist Cumbria, Eden Valley Hospice, Shelter and Oak Tree Animals Charity.
The Cumberland was also shortlisted for the best Large Business in recognition of a successful year in which it was also able to extend the support given to employees and local communities as part of its Kinder Banking mission.
Claire Deekes, Chief Customer Officer, said: “Having won this award last year it was amazing to be shortlisted again. It is recognition for all the hard work of everyone in the business, and their dedication to our new purpose in offering a banking experience that is kinder to people and planet.
“We aren’t just a mortgages and savings provider. We are kinder banking, and we’ll continue to do what is kind, not what is easy, to secure a long, strong future for our building society, and everyone we work with.”
Claire Deekes was also able to make the award presentation to Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, winner of the Community Involvement category which was sponsored by The Cumberland.
Claire said: “We extend our well-deserved congratulations to Morgan Sindall Infrastructure for their Community Involvement award, as well as to all the finalists this year. I couldn’t have been prouder to be sharing the room with so many inspiring Cumbrian businesses.”
The Cumberland was honoured to judge one of the 12 categories at the in-Cumbria Business Awards.
Cumberland PR Officer Kelly Ashbridge judged the Flying the Flag for Cumbria award which was won by Grasmere Gingerbread.
She said: “The opportunity to judge this category and to speak to three different organisations on all they are doing to fly the flag not only here in Cumbria but around the world, has been nothing short of inspirational. Each finalist should be incredibly proud of the work they do to put our region on the map, synonymously celebrating some of the best of what we have to offer in our corner of the world.”
The in-Cumbria Business Awards are run annually by in-cumbria.com a Newsquest publication. Headline sponsor was United Utilities.