Celebrating the People in Retail Awards 2024: A night of inspiration, recognition & achievement
Last night, the People in Retail Awards 2024 brought together over 400 professionals from across the retail industry for an unforgettable celebration of excellence, dedication, and passion at the Marriott Hotel in Grosvenor Square, London. The evening was brilliantly hosted by Darren Sanderson-Williams from Specsavers, who kept the atmosphere lively and engaging as the best of the retail community came together to recognise and celebrate the people who make a real difference in the industry.
This event was a true celebration of the heart and soul of retail, with 14 prestigious awards handed out to honour individuals, teams, and organisations that have shown exceptional commitment and excellence in their roles. Special recognition was given to ScS with the “Commitment to People” award, while Oliver Bonas was celebrated with the “Future Leaders” award, acknowledging their outstanding journey towards equity, diversity, and inclusion.
One of the evening’s most inspiring moments was the keynote speech delivered by Scotty Mills, the highest-ranking black officer in Royal Marines history. His words on leadership, resilience, and the power of teamwork resonated deeply, leaving the audience inspired and ready to take on new challenges.
Here’s a recap of the incredible 2024 People in Retail Award winners:
- Employee of the Year: Charles Tyrwhitt – Louis Coehlo
- Store Champion 2024: Fortnum & Mason – Stock Operations Team (Goods-in)
- Manager of the Year: IKEA – Laura Vicente Cerqueira
- People Development Team of the Year: The White Company
- JEDI Award: Boots & No7 Beauty Company (Walgreens Boots Alliance)
- Team of the Year: Lincolnshire Co-op Ltd – Carlton Food Stores Team, Selby
- Rising Spark Award 2024: The Perfume Shop – Beth Williamson
- Customer Service Team of the Year: The Perfume Shop and Bravissimo
- Community Engagement Programme of the Year: The Midcounties Cooperative with Miss Macaroon
- Retail Employer of the Year: Cook Trading
- Retail Association of the Year: Diversity in Retail
- Retail Partner of the Year: GenM – Heather Jackson & Sam Simister
- Executive Leader of the Year: American Golf – Nigel Oddy, CEO
- Spirit of Excellence Award – Individual: Meg Lustman, N Brown Group
- Spirit of Excellence Award – Team: The Perfume Shop
Bonus Awards:
- Future Leaders: Oliver Bonas
- Commitment to People: ScS
The night wasn’t just about celebrating achievements; it was also an opportunity to give back. A charity auction and raffle were held, raising essential funds for Sue Ryder and Retail Trust, two organisations that work tirelessly to support health and well-being across the retail sector.
Reflecting on the event, Karen Howard, Managing Director of The Retail Bulletin, said, “The People in Retail Awards 2024 truly showcased the talent, resilience, and passion that are the driving forces behind our industry. It was an honour to celebrate those who have gone above and beyond, setting new standards for excellence.”
Natalie Fresen, Chief People Champion for PIRA added, “After what has been a challenging few years for retail, this event was a chance to highlight the exceptional people who make retail thrive. It’s a reminder that at the heart of every great organisation are individuals who are dedicated, passionate, and committed to making a difference. Congratulations to all our winners and finalists – you truly are the future of retail!”
The evening concluded with guests dancing to a live band, sharing in the joy and camaraderie that defines the retail community. The People in Retail Awards 2024 will be remembered as a night that not only celebrated achievements but also brought the industry together to look forward to a bright and inclusive future.
The team at The Retail Bulletin extends heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to making the night such a success, and to all those who continue to make retail an exciting and dynamic sector. We look forward to celebrating even more retail excellence in 2025!
Photos will be available in the gallery here.
The awards date for 2025 will be: 24 September, 2025
Register your interest the People in Retail Awards, 2025 here.
