Announcing the finalists for the FWD Gold Medal Wholesale Awards:

Diversity in Wholesale

This award honours an FWD wholesale member that’s leading the way in building an inclusive, welcoming, and supportive workplace where everyone can thrive. We’re looking for businesses that champion diversity and embrace the unique strengths of their people.

Finalists:

AF Blakemore

Creed Foodservice

JW Filshill

GOLD MEDAL 2025

Data and Insight

This award celebrates the wholesaler that’s not just collecting data—but harnessing it to drive sales, unlock customer value, and stay ahead in the market. We’re looking for businesses that have turned insights into action, demonstrating real impact over the last 12 months.

Finalists:

Birchall Foodservice

Henderson Foodservice

North West Teas

GOLD MEDAL 2025

Sustainable Wholesaler

This award celebrates an FWD member that’s not just talking about sustainability but living it, every day. We’re looking for businesses that have made real, measurable strides in reducing their environmental impact while inspiring a culture of sustainability across their entire operation.

Finalists:

Booker Group

JW Filshill

Trevors

GOLD MEDAL 2025

Best Wholesaler with T/O up to £50m

This award celebrates an outstanding FWD member, or member of an FWD buying group, with a turnover of up to £50m in the year to June 2025.
When preparing your entry, consider the following:

• Growth and Impact: How has your business driven significant sales growth and delivered measurable impact within the market?
• Customer Experience: Show how you’ve gone the extra mile to deliver exceptional service and solutions that truly meet your customers’ needs.
• Supplier Partnerships: Highlight examples of meaningful collaborations that have resulted in successful promotions, product launches, or other game-changing initiatives.
• Innovation and Agility: Share how you’ve embraced new ideas, adapted to change, and stayed ahead of the curve in an evolving industry landscape.

Finalists:

Birchall Foodservice

Freemans Event Partners

Robinsons

GOLD MEDAL 2025

Best Foodservice Wholesaler

(open to wholesale members only)

This award recognises an FWD full member or buying group member that has gone above and beyond in serving its out-of-home customers between July 2024 and June 2025. We’re looking for businesses that have delivered exceptional service, innovation, and support to help customers succeed in a challenging marketplace.

This may include availability, pricing and promotions; nutritional and allergen information; digital innovation; customer education; ordering platforms; efficient delivery.

Finalists:

Bidfood

Booker Group

Creed Foodservice

GOLD MEDAL 2025

Best Retail Wholesaler

(open to wholesale members only)

This award celebrates an FWD full member or buying group member that has excelled in serving its retail customers from July 2024 to June 2025. We’re looking for businesses that have not just met challenges—but turned them into opportunities to deliver outstanding service, support, and innovation.

Finalists:

Bestway Wholesale

Booker Group

JW Filshill

Parfetts

GOLD MEDAL 2025

Telesales Star

This award celebrates an individual who brings exceptional customer service, product expertise, and team spirit to the heart of the telesales function. Whether through deep product knowledge, outstanding communication, or building trusted customer relationships, this person makes every call count.

Finalists:

Robert Pace, Bidfood

Jonny Carroll, Birchall Foodservice

Jodie Chlopek, Creed Foodservice

GOLD MEDAL 2025

Star Driver

This award honours the wholesale driver who goes the extra mile—delivering exceptional customer service, gathering valuable feedback, and representing their company with professionalism and pride. Covering the period from July 2024 to June 2025, this award celebrates dedication and excellence on the road.

Finalists:

Dave Gwilt, AF Blakemore

Joshua Davidson, Oliver Kay

Kevin Elwood, Trevors

GOLD MEDAL 2025

Wholesale Manager

(this award is not open to business owners or directors)

This award recognises a visionary leader at a cash and carry depot or distribution centre who has driven sales growth and elevated the customer experience between July 2024 and June 2025. Through commitment, innovation, and a focus on people, they’ve made a lasting impact on customers, suppliers, and their team.

Finalists:

Leanne Fay, Booker Group

Ed Lax, Booker Group

Richard Turvey, Booker Group

GOLD MEDAL 2025

Customer Development

This award celebrates an individual from an FWD wholesaler company who has delivered exceptional business growth and deepened customer loyalty between July 2024 and June 2025. Through innovative business development, strong supplier collaborations, and relationship-building, they’ve created meaningful value for retail or foodservice customers and the business as a whole.

Finalists:

Sebastian Serrano, Bidfood

Keri Donaldson, Birchall Foodservice

Kish Ramasamy, The Wholesale Group

GOLD MEDAL 2025

Wholesale Star

Recognising an exceptional employee who has shone brightly from July 2024 to June 2025. Whether serving customers or supporting their team, this individual has been a true inspiration – hard-working, cheerful, brimming with ideas, and always ready to lend a hand. Their efforts have made a real impact, driving sales, boosting customer satisfaction, and setting a gold standard for excellence.

Note: This award is not open to business owners or directors.

Finalists:

Kerry Love, Bidfood

Sushmitha Ventakesh, JJ Foodservice

Chloe Staniforth, Pricecheck

Emerging Talent

This award recognises rising stars across the wholesale channel, those who’ve joined an FWD wholesale member company within the last five years and are already making a big impact. We’re looking for individuals whose contributions are shaping the future of wholesale and delighting customers.

Finalists:

Nic Veale, Creed Foodservice

Santosh Salunkhe, Dunsters Farm

Sarah Boal, Henderson Foodservice