Celebrating the winners of the inaugural BESA Awards!

The BESA Awards were launched this year to celebrate the excellence and achievements of BESA members in our 90th year. Our panel of judges were highly impressed by the quality of the entries from over 100 companies, and commended applicants on the work they are doing to advance standards for products and services in the educational suppliers’ sector.?

Deputy Director General Julia Garvey was joined by Honorary Patron Baroness Hooper, Freeths Director Frank Suttie and STAEDTLER UK Managing Director Philip Wesolowski to unveil the winners at this year’s Summer Business Insight Day. ?

Read on to hear the judge’s thoughts on this year’s worthy winners!?

The Rising Star Award, sponsored by LendED, was awarded to Dylan McCrimmon of Joskos Solutions . The judges were blown away by Dylan’s extraordinary story: 'His determination, resilience and achievements are extremely impressive. He is a wonderful role model.’

Team of the Year, sponsored by LearnED, was awarded to Arbor Education ’s Operation Big Wave. Here’s what the judges thought: 'A quickly pulled together team to seize the short term opportunity to offer a brave and imaginative solution addressing a real pain point for schools in MIS provision.’

The Make the Change Award, sponsored by STAEDTLER UK , was awarded to Cambridge University Press & Assessment , for their work creating an ‘inspirational, ambitious and impactful project to support the education of hugely disadvantaged communities of Rohingya refugee learners in Bangladesh.’?

The Evidence and Impact Award, sponsored by Educate Ventures Research , was awarded to OxEd and Assessment . Here’s what the judges thought: ‘OxEd & Assessment demonstrates an outstanding example of a well-designed, comprehensive, independently conducted, and rigorous evaluation.’?

The Inspirational Leader Award, sponsored by Freeths , was awarded to Al Kingsley MBE of NetSupport. The judges were impressed with Al’s commitment to the education sector, ‘from his personal leadership style to being an ambassador for the industry as a whole.’?

We would like to thank each and every company who entered the inaugural BESA Awards - we appreciate your support, and value everything you do in the industry. We look forward to next year’s BESA Awards!?

Download our BESA Awards 2023 Brochure to read more about the shortlist and winners.