The UK Customer Experience Awards 2013 was a glittering occasion that celebrated the best of the nation’s love for its customers.
Decked out in a lavish pink, the main hall at the Grand Connaught Rooms was an impressive setting for the 4th annual Awards ceremony. Lover your customer, love yourself was the theme of the day that promoted excellence in customer experience across a broad range of industries.
Judging took place in the morning when the finalists in each of the 26 categories presented their entries. This was followed by a drinks reception and then a gala lunch for more than 700 finalists, judges and supporters.
Host for the event was comedian Dominic Holland who entertained the audience with his witty comments. Finalists were named and winners announced during the event.
There were a few surprizes during lunch when waiters wowed the crowds with opera singing, encouraging the audience to get involved.
Lesley Sharp, who stars in ITV’s Scott and Bailey detective drama, was at the event representing the charity Barnardo’s. Lesley, who was adopted as a child, said she was delighted to be at the event and then introduced Barnardos.
Lesley discovered a connection with Barnardos when she was recording an episode of Who Do You Think You Are?
“I found out that I had a relative 100 years ago who helped a Barnados kid. It was extraordinary to connect with Barnardos in that way,” said Sarah.
A raffle at the Awards collected £4,070 for Barnardo’s thanks to the generosity of the attendees.
Neil Skehel, Managing Director of Awards International, said the growing interest in the awards and the standard of entries for 2013 exceeded all expectations.
“We are delighted with the quality of entries for the UK Customer Experience Awards and today gave us a chance to celebrate with the finalists and winners,” said Neil.
The Awards are partners by the Cranfield Customer Mananagment Forum (CCMF), a business network run by the Cranfield University School of Management Centre for Strategic Marketing and Sales.
Cranfield’s CMF will be producing a White Paper and organising a follow up event in February 2014 which will focus on drawing out best practice in customer experience.
Benchmarking reports are currently being produced for the winners and finalists. This feedback will share how companies scored on the assessment criteria compared to the winner and will also include some anecdotal positive and constructive feedback from the judges to help with future entries.
Lifetime Award for Malcolm
Emeritus Professor Malcolm McDonald, an internationally renowned marketing specialist, was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the UK Customer Experience Awards.
Malcolm has written more than 40 books and is a graduate in English Language and Literature from Oxford University, in Business Studies from Bradford University Management Centre, has a PhD from Cranfield University, a DLitt from Bradford University and a DSc from the Plekhanov University of Economics in Moscow.
Until 2003 he was Professor of Marketing and Deputy Director of Cranfield School of Management and has a wealth of industrial experience.
Neil Skehel, Managing Director of Awards International, said: “As a marketing guru Malcolm has made a huge difference to many organisations and their customer experience.
Receiving the Lifetime Achievement award Malcolm said:“The UK Customer Experience Awards is a fabulous initiative that recognises the main driver of corporate profitability and I am extremely proud to have been given this prestigious award. “
Find out who won what by clicking on the following link http://www.uk-ce-awards.co.uk/winners-2013/