Golden trebles for Bestway and Bidfood

Companies win a trio of awards each at 2019 FWD Gold Medals

Bidfood and Bestway were the leading lights at FWD’s Gold Medals as they took three awards apiece at the wholesale industry’s showcase event.

The sector giants both took a trio of awards each at the prestigious awards ceremony at Old Billingsgate, with more than 700 people from the sector watching on.

Bestway‘s outgoing Head of Marketing and Digital, Salih Sheikh, picked up one of the night’s biggest awards as he was named Young Wholesaler of the Year for his innovative work with the cash and carry business. The company also took home the Wholesaler Service to Retailers gong, while Atif Raza, who works at Bestway’s Leeds site, won the Depot Manager medal.

Bidfood’s hat-trick also came in a host of individual and team categories, with the foodservice business taking Wholesaler Service to Caterers, Salisbury’s James Vincent winning Star Driver and Lynda Hayes from Wakefield receiving the Telesales Star accolade.

The ceremony – which was compered by Cold Feet star James Nesbitt – also saw Booker victorious in two categories: Green Wholesaler of the Year and Customer Business Development for Martyn Parkinson.

There was also glory for Creed Foodservice, JW Filshill, Mevalco and JJ Foodservice, with a total of seven wholesalers taking accolades on the night.

Wholesaler Service to Retailers – Bestway

Depot Star – Richard Stimpson, Creed Foodservice

Telesales Star – Lynda Hayes, Bidfood, Wakefield

Depot Manager – Atif Raza, Bestway, Leeds

Best Use of Data and Insight – JW Filshill

Customer Business Development – Martyn Parkinson, Booker

Young Wholesaler of the Year – Salih Sheikh, Bestway

Star Driver – James Vincent, Bidfood, Salisbury

Smaller Wholesaler – Mevalco

Wholesaler Service to Caterers – Bidfood

Green Wholesaler of the Year – Booker

Digital Innovation – JJ Foodservice

Watch out for December’s issue of Wholesale News for a five-page special from the 2019 Gold Medals. If you’re not already a subscriber, you can receive the magazine for free on our subscription page and also sign up to our weekly newsletter.

Bestway Bidfood Booker Creed Foodservice FWD FWD Gold Medals Gold Medals Gold Medals 2019 JJ Foodservice JW Filshill Mevalco Salih Sheikh