City & Guilds rolled out the red carpet for this year’s Lion Awards, attended by high-profile speakers Steve Cram MBE and Ed Balls MP, to celebrate the achievements of exceptional students and lecturers from around the country.

On the night, eight Lion Awards – dubbed the ‘Skills Oscars’ – were presented to students who had gone above and beyond in their achievements this year and who are an inspiration to others.

City & Guilds is the leading awarding body for vocational qualifications, awarding over one million students with qualifications each year. Head of Corporate Affairs, Andrew Sich, said: ‘The Lion Awards ceremony is a prestigious event and the highlight of our Medals for Excellence awards programme. It allows us to celebrate the achievements of the some really outstanding candidates and give them the recognition they deserve.

‘I would like to congratulate all of this year’s winners, who not only excel in their chosen fields, but also use their skills to give back to their communities and are an inspiration to others.’

Lion Award recipients were chosen from the Medals for Excellence winners. Nominations for next year’s Medals for Excellence are now open and further information can be found at www.cityandguilds.com/m4x.

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For further information contact:
Nadia Mahmud
Group PR Executive
City & Guilds
T: 0207 294 8054
E: nadia.mahmud@cityandguilds.com

And the winners are:

Among the winners was 45 year-old Nick Gutfreund, recipient of the Small Business Learner of the Year. Nick, a furniture-maker from Devon, decided to ditch his 9 to 5 office job and follow his dreams by setting up his own business – even sacrificing his beloved motorcycle to fund it!

Nick is a sterling example of the entrepreneurial drive and great dedication that this award embodies. His determination to succeed was so great that he completed his course in record time whilst still contributing significantly to a number of projects for the enhancement of his college. He gave up a lucrative business career to concentrate on fine woodwork and bespoke furniture production, and found great satisfaction in this new creative outlet.

He has previously worked for high-profile organisations, including a commission for Rolls-Royce and MTV for the Staying Alive Aids charity foundation. In-between building his own workshop and completing his assignments, Nick has also found time to adopt two young daughters, and he is also a governor of a London school.

Aisha Ventura, a gifted Design and Craft student from Huddersfield Technical College, won the Creative Craftsperson of the Year. The 29 year-old fashionista has excelled in the field of textiles and the seamstress is an inspiration to fellow mature students, returning to education after her first career as a hairdresser was cut short. Now she teaches design to others at the college and is intending to enrol on a teacher training course.

Another Huddersfield student, milliner Petra McNulty, was awarded the title of Innovator of the Year. Her creative designs have taken hat-making to a new level by combining it with aspects of another artistic field, sculpture. Petra has recently launched her own label, Petra - Bespoke Milliner, and has also gained qualifications in interior design and sculpture.

Flying the flag for Birmingham was 37 year-old Spencer Hampton, a support nurse for South Birmingham Primary Care Trust, awarded the Outstanding Achiever of the Year accolade.

Spencer left school without any formal qualifications and was envious of those with degrees or other formal recognition for their skills. As fate would have it, he was made redundant from MG Rover in 2005 and faced the daunting prospect of retraining as an adult for an entirely new career in Social Care, whilst juggling the responsibilities of being a full-time parent to two teenage children.

Seventy year-old retired pensioner Ronald Barr won the Life Long Learner of the Year prize. Ronald, who believes studying for his many City & Guilds qualifications has kept him mentally and physically fit, was forced to miss six weeks of his Design and Craft course when he underwent an operation for a cataract.

Despite missing out on crucial learning time, Ronald still managed to complete the course on time. In fact, that is his sixth qualification since 1999. He said he feels it has improved the quality of his life in retirement as he has had the chance to finally pursue his hobbies. His only regret is that he waited so long to do it.

Wearing a stunning outfit of her own creation, Donna Fields, a Health and Social Care student from Rotherham, was awarded the Community Supporter of the Year prize.  A busy mum, full-time community facilitator at Oaks Day Centre, Donna spends her spare time supporting adults with learning disabilities in a theatre group and helping older citizen access local and shopping facilities in her local area - as well as studying.

David Stewart, a 48 year-old Health and Social Care student from Belfast, was presented with the Lion Award for Employee Learner of the Year. David works for Age Concern as a support worker and completed his NVQ in just 9 months. He has demonstrated commitment to every aspect of his job including keeping up to date with government legislation and organisational policies, but he never forgets that the people in his care are individuals with their own needs and wishes.

He also helps out in his local community as a Scout Leader. He intends studying for his Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care and then possibly for the assessor’s qualification.

Stephen Dempsey, 32, a construction student from Swindon, was awarded the FE Sector Learner of the Year prize. Stephen, who is profoundly deaf, works as a plasterer and is slowly building up his portfolio so he can start his own business. 

Studying plastering meant that he had to develop sign language for the jargon used in the plastering trade. He has a comprehensive understanding of the plastering trade and a creative approach to learning. He always produced work of the highest standard and has inspired the rest of his class. With support from the Prince’s Trust, this person has created his own website to market his skills.

Stephen has previously won several awards from Portsmouth College, including Most Committed Student and intends to keep learning, with book-keeping and business management next on his hit-list. He is also actively involved in charity work.