If you know someone who makes this county tick, you will be interested to learn that the search begins today to find the first winner of the Willans Prize – a new trophy created by a Cheltenham law firm to acknowledge the work of individuals.
It will be presented in May as part of the Gloucestershire Ambassadors’ programme, which is a concept managed by Gloucestershire First to promote Gloucestershire in the UK and abroad and encourages inward investment.
The idea for a new trophy was prompted by Gloucestershire First’s annual presentation of the Furniss Cup when ambassadors - leading figures from the county’s business community, politicians and representatives from the public and voluntary sectors - meet to announce the winner.
For the judges, it has been difficult to decide between large organisation and individuals so Cheltenham law firm Willans has created the Willans Prize – a silver rose bowl - to honour individual effort and the search for the inaugural winner is now underway.
Margaret Austen, a partner at Willans and an ambassador for Gloucestershire, is urging people to put names forward. “We want to find people who have helped to put Gloucestershire on the map, people who have made a significant contribution to the county through their leadership and dedication above and beyond the call of duty – perhaps in a voluntary capacity.”
Michael Tallett-Williams, chairman of Gloucestershire First added: “Over 200 people attended the last ambassadors dinner and we are fortunate to have so many people who want to see our economy flourish.
“I would like to encourage anyone who feels they know a potential winner to come forward. Many individuals work hard to improve the lives of others in the county and we are looking forward to finding out who are the real local heroes.”
Nomination for the Willans Prize must be submitted by the end of March. Contact Anne Richards at Willans on 01242 514707 or anne.richards@willans.co.uk for a nomination form. Furniss Cup nominations should go to John Courts at Gloucestershire First on 01242 864119 or john.courts@glosfirst.co.uk
Ends
Issued on behalf of Gloucestershire First by Tony Haynes Eastwood Public Relations tel 01242 253707. For further information, please contact Margaret Austen at Willans on 01242 514707 or Jacqui Mills PR on 01242 226276.