Earlier this year that I announced I was taking over as Chair of Judges for the White Rose Awards for Welcome to Yorkshire, the tourism body in the county. It is a huge honour to chair these prestigious awards which this year is in collaboration with Visit Britain. We have increased the number of categories to 19 and winners of 15 of those have the chance to go forward to the national awards, further shining a light on this amazing county.
I am thrilled with the new panel of judges for the White Rose Awards as amongst the number a some I know well, and others I have now had the pleasure to work with, and a lively bunch they are. All are amazing experts in their field, and it is this wealth of expertise and willingness to give so much (unpaid) time to support the tourism and hospitality businesses her in Yorkshire.
The Judges:
Stephanie Moon: Skipton trained, Yorkshire Chef Consultant at All Things Food and Rudding Park Hotel in Harrogate Stephanie is also a star of BBC 2’s Great British Menu.
David Parkin: Journalist, business writer, blogger, compere and event organiser. The former Yorkshire Post Business Editor and TheBusinessDesk.com creator advises on content, events and engagement for a variety of businesses and provides media training.
Elly Fiorentini: Senior Journalist at BBC Radio York. Elly has presented every programme on the station. She has been involved in the York Hospitality Awards, York Festival of Food and Drink and hospitality awards in Scarborough. Her grandfather created Fiorentini’s ice cream which is still made in Northern Ireland.
Gillian Scotford and Jane Cooper: Joint Managing Directors of Access For All UK which provides access consultancy, training and business support services to clients in all sectors throughout the country. Also founders of a unique, award-winning, accessible tourism charity: Accessible Derbyshire.
David Reilly: Owner of the multi-award-winning Yorebridge House in the heart of Wensleydale. Dave and wife Charlotte transformed the former Headmaster’s House and School in 2008 into the AA 5-star hotel and 3 rosette restaurant it is today.
Kate Hardcastle MBE: Huddersfield born Kate, dubbed “The Customer Whisperer” is UK’s leading ‘go-to’ business expert on consumer insight for National TV & Media.
Philippa Campbell: Boston Spa based Director of Marketing Insight Ltd, a successful Yorkshire-based marketing consultancy which provides strategic advice to a broad range of organisations across the UK, helping them to tell exciting stories, reach new audiences and realise their long-term ambitions.
The White Rose Awards winners will be announced on November 25th at a glittering ceremony at the First Direct Arena, Leeds.
