BOSS Industry Award winners crowned

BOSS has crowned its 2021 Award Winners, with companies and individuals celebrated in 21 categories spanning the office supplies sector

The BOSS Industry Awards took place on November 25, welcoming more than 400 guests on the evening to the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, in Manchester – a stunning venue steeped in history with Victorian architecture.

The awards recognise and celebrate those in the UK office products industry who demonstrate excellence, individually or through the success of their teams and businesses. This year 21 winners were crowned, and the charity was also delighted to award 11 Future Fund Grants.

Guests were entertained by author, radio and TV presenter, actor, columnist and screenwriter Danny Wallace, and they then danced into the early hours at the after party to music from the roaring 20s, led by Vintage Swing Thing, who performed a mix of twenties, jazz-inspired, modern classics.

“We couldn’t be prouder to announce our 2021 BOSS Award Winners,” said BOSS CEO, Amy Hutchinson. “It felt extra special this year to gather over 400 in the industry together at the stunning Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester to celebrate individuals, teams and businesses that have excelled by doing things differently, and making a positive contribution to our sector. Thank you to our fantastic sponsors, supporters, judges and those who took the time to enter. Congratulations to the winners!”

BOSS Business Supplies charity chair, Graeme Chapman MBE, added: “I would like to thank everyone who bought a raffle ticket and made a bid in the auction to help us reach a magnificent £9,000 – but it didn’t end there. The MD of Brother, Phil Jones MBE, offered to match the auction total, making our new grand total £12,000, a record amount in recent years!”

The BOSS Industry Awards 2021 Winners were:

BRAND MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR

Fellowes Ltd

BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR

Ashley Burke – EVO Ireland

CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR

3M UK Ltd – Re-imagine the Workplace

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AWARD

Lyreco UK & Ireland Ltd

EBUSINESS AWARD

JGBM

INDEPENDENT RETAILER AWARD

Stationery Supplies

NEW PRODUCT OF THE YEAR

Fellowes Ltd – LX SERIES Shredders

OUTSTANDING TEAM EFFORT OF THE YEAR

EVO Group Projects Team

PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

Rebecca Brook – VOW Wholesale

Jessica Byers – Avery UK

RESELLER OF THE YEAR

Upstream

RISING STAR OF THE YEAR

Kristian Danielson – BIC

Lindsay Bower – Office Friendly

SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR

Office Power

SUSTAINABLE LEADERSHIP AWARD

Commercial

Cosmos Solutions

UNSUNG HERO AWARDS

Simon Webb, Office Friendly

Jennifer Jones, Banner

Mark Thompson, Staples UK

Ralph Shingfield, Hamelin

APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR

James Marten, Hamelin Brands

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Graeme Chapman MBE

“When I began my OP career with Acco in 1967, I could not imagine receiving such a prestigious Award from my peers in our industry,” said Graeme. “I am absolutely delighted to receive this rare honour, knowing that several giants in our industry have held it before me. I still haven’t come down from the high that I felt on Thursday evening, particularly having continued to receive so many messages of congratulations and support.”