Apprentice of the Year Awards

The Suzanne Finch Apprentice Champion Award

Have you or has someone in your company truly ‘Championed Apprenticeships’ and gone above and beyond for apprenticeships and for our apprentices?

This award is open to any apprentices, coaches, tutors or colleagues who have championed BPP apprenticeships both internally and externally.

This award is dedicated to one of our wonderful coaches, Suzanne Finch, who sadly passed away in 2021. Suzanne advocated the power of Apprenticeships (and Education) and pledged her life to helping others succeed. This annual award continues to recognise those who champion Apprenticeships in the way Suzanne always did.

WINNER

Nneoma Okonweze- KPMG.

Shortlisted: Alex Douglas – Squire Patton Boggs, and Zoya Alam – Squire Patton Boggs

'I feel so grateful to have won this award and I am happy to see that the work that I have done to advocate for apprenticeships has been recognised, it is incredibly affirming!

At every opportunity I get I aim to spread the word about apprenticeships because I wish somebody had done the same for me, it was only by chance that I even found out about them!

I hope that I inspire others to pursue apprenticeship and encourage other apprentices to promote these opportunities to others!'

Diversity & Inclusion Champion

Can you think of someone who deserves to be recognised for their support and promotion of inclusivity and diversity in the apprenticeship space in your company?            

WINNER

Ryan Yeo – WTW.

Shortlisted: Esther Vincent- WTW, Nneoma Okonweze- KPMG and Sarrina Pianka- Jones Day.

'A few words from Ryan… As for how I feel about the award, I feel honoured and humbled to have received this Inclusion and Diversity Award.

I’m happy to be recognised for my efforts towards I&D and moving forward I am now more inspired to work hard and push for meaningful change for all.'

Resilience Award

Have you been, or do you know someone who has been passionate about their own journey and building their future through their apprenticeship, despite challenges that this year might have brought?.

WINNER

Megan Oliver – Weightmans LLP.

Shortlisted: Jenna Holt - Natwest and Zahieda Chowdhury - NHS CCG

'I suppose in describing how it feels to win the award I would say amazing!

It is nice to be recognised for keeping going when things have gotten tough and I think the award is a testament to the support here at BPP and Weightmans from my team and the other apprentices.

Without this support and the sense of community, it would make it harder to continue studying and working.'

Sustainability award

Are you, or do you know someone who has shown initiative within the workplace and in their own lives to consider environmental, social and ethical sustainability?

WINNER

Charlotte West – WTW.

Shortlisted: Daniel Gibbs – Natwest, Holly Hayden - Weightmans LLP and Will Douglas – Mazars

'The existence of a Sustainability Champion Award demonstrates the deserving push that there now is to put sustainability high up on the agenda.

I feel very grateful to have been recognised for the work I have been doing although I find being able to give my time to both sustainability and charity led initiatives rewarding enough in itself. I am also very fortunate to be working at a firm like WTW where these kinds of initiatives are valued and I am supported in spending a bit of my time away from my day job on these.

I would urge everyone to get involved both within and outside of their workplaces in sustainability initiatives; I know a lot of firms are now doing lots to help us pave the way for a brighter future and as I have said taking part in these initiatives is very rewarding.'

Apprentice of the year

Do you have, or are you an exemplary apprentice in your company who has made outstanding achievements within their apprenticeship?

WINNERS

LEVEL 2-3

 Alice Swinbank – Learning Curve Group.

Shortlisted: Chante Morris- Squire Patton Boggs and Gaewjai Akhurst- Squire Patton Boggs

'I am honoured and thrilled to be named the BPP Apprentice of the Year (Level 2 – 3).

I’m really grateful for the guidance and support I have received from my manager, colleagues and family. They have had a significant role in helping me develop during my apprenticeship but also within my role and personal life.

I work for a great company that encourages all employees to live up to their best potential. It’s a privilege to represent Learning Curve Group and our values.'

LEVEL 4

Anoop Bains – Aviva.

Shortlisted: Katie Cook – Watson Ramsbottom and Lucie Richards – National Highways

'I am delighted to have received the BPP Apprentice of the Year Award, Level 4. I really enjoyed every moment of my apprenticeship and having completed my apprenticeship early this year with a Distinction, this award could not be a better way to round off my experience.

The young, fresh-eyed Anoop starting his apprenticeship journey in September 2021 would definitely not have imagined that a year and a half later he would be awarded Apprentice of the Year. The course was amazing and tailored perfectly to my wants and needs from an apprenticeship, a hands-on learning and working environment in which I was able excel and thrive in from the very start. I had many fun and engaging conversations along the way with both my tutor and coach, whilst learning new topics. My coach went above and beyond to provide me with the support I needed to achieve excellent outcomes with my exam and End-Point Assessment, placing me in the optimal position to progress with my career. Another factor that was critical to my success was the support and guidance from Aviva in understanding the demands of the course as well as offering an environment where I can apply the knowledge and skills I have gained. As a huge advocate for apprenticeships within my peer group, it is an honour to receive an award like this.

Being named the Apprentice of the Year is a stepping stone to further raise awareness in organisations and the wider community that apprenticeships are a great route to jump start a career and you can achieve something great!'

LEVEL 5+

Durodoluwa Adebayo – Liberty Global.

Shortlisted: Tegan Johnson – Kennedys Law, and Tyler Vint- Squire Patton Boggs

'Winning the award was a very pleasant surprise as the other candidates were so impressive. Naturally, I am extremely pleased to win in my category and I will use this as motivation to continue with the initiatives that got me shortlisted.

I’d like to give a big thank you to the BPP team for arranging the event; it was truly inspiring hearing about the incredible work that everyone else has been doing.

 I’d also like to thank everyone that has helped and guided me along the way. I have had a great first year at my company and I hope that all nominees can continue with our efforts and keep adding value to our organisations and beyond!'