The star performers in the wholesale sector during 2007 were celebrated at the FWD Gold Medal Awards before a sell-out audience at the Café Royal.

The presentation ceremony was presided over by FWD chairman Francis Ball, who was joined by Martin Porter, sales director of Mars UK, sponsor of the Gold Medal Awards for wholesalers, and Steve Parfett, managing director of AG Parfett & Sons, sponsor of the awards to suppliers. Celebrity guest Tom O'Connor announced the winners and read out a citation for each one.

As is customary the first award announced recognised young people in the industry, and this year there was a tie meaning two gold medals were awarded.

The first Gold Medal for the Young Wholesaler of the Year was presented to Colm Johnson, director of trading retail at Booker. O'Connor said: "This committed young director has been a breath of fresh air in revitalising his company's offer to retailers and has established a strong buying team of 11 with sales of around £500m. He knows how to 'buy to sell' and has developed strong supplier relationships for his company."

The second Young Wholesaler of the Year Gold Medal was presented to Nick Ramsden, managing director of Dee Bee Cash & Carry. O'Connor said: "Having grown up in the family business, this young man has a great rapport with his staff and a passionate belief in the independent sector, and his company showed overall growth of 14% last year. His drive for developing the Today's symbol stores is testimony to his commitment to our sector."

Grant Scrimgeour, wholesale controller at CJ Lang, won the Gold Medal for the Independent Cash and Carry Manager of the Year. O'Connor said: "Running three cash and carry depots, two of which have significant foodservice operations, his commitment and resourcefulness has turned the company's wholesale operation from break-even into profit.

"With additional responsibility for trading and marketing activities he has influenced his company to invest substantially in expanding the depots to accommodate his ambitious growth targets."

The winner of the Gold Medal for Multiple Cash and Carry Manager of the Year was Martin Sandler, warehouse manager at Costco, Manchester. O'Connor said: "Our winner is a very hands on manager whose commitment to standards and customer service is paramount.

"He has a great rapport with his staff and operates an open door policy interacting with them daily. His relationship with his staff is one of trust and respect, leading by example and setting the standard for all to reach. A truly remarkable achiever, this man has gone from being a part-time fork lift driver to warehouse manager in just 12 years."

The Gold Medal for Independent Delivered Depot Manager was presented to Nick Paul, managing director of Edward Paul & Co. O'Connor said: "With 25 years experience in this family business, and 15 years at the helm, our winner's commitment to customer service is inspirational. His small depot provides a service level of 99% to customers across Greater London and the Home Counties. He has built a skilled and motivated team of 36, all of whom share his commitment to customer service and has seen turnover and profit increase by 14%."

Peter Gaunt, distribution centre manager at 3663, Royton, was the winner of the Multiple Delivered Depot Manager Gold Medal. O'Connor said: "In charge of his company's second largest depot and two satellite operations, this manager has a complex roll controlling a staff of over 500 people, exercising exemplary communication and motivation skills.

"This 24-hour day, 365 days a year operation has a turnover of £200m serviced by a fleet of 100 HGVs. An excellent people manager, he consistently achieves performance under budget on costs. His customer service standards are regularly in excess of 99.5% products availability and 95% on time deliveries."

The Gold Medal for Wholesaler Service to Retailers was awarded to Mohammed Jamil, business development manager, Best-in retailers club, Bestway. O'Connor said: "Joining his company's graduate training programme six years ago, our winner has held positions of increasing responsibility including that of a cash and carry manager.

"He is observant and imaginative and full of new and innovative ideas and is responsible for the development of a symbol group retail club with 250 members."

Martin Hartshorne, category manager, fruit and vegetables at Booker, was awarded the Gold Medal for Wholesaler Service to Caterers. O'Connor said: "This man presses all the right buttons when it comes to sourcing fruit and vegetables to the high standards caterers demand, turning a 35% category decline into growth in just 18 months.

"He sources all core fruit and vegetables from local markets significantly reducing 'food miles'. Approachable and gregarious with both customers and colleagues, he has also built strong bonds with suppliers as well."

The Gold Medals for suppliers are awarded on a 'first past the post' vote by wholesalers throughout the UK, with the voting process supervised by external chartered accountants.

The Gold Medal for the Drinks Brand of the Year was won by Carling and was presented to Coors national account director Ivor Pheasant. O'Connor said: "The outright winner is the number one beer brand in the UK with sales of over £2.6bn with a 19.5% share of the independent retail channel and growing at 3%."

Lucozade was the winner of the Gold Medal for Grocery Brand of the Year and it was presented to Dan Scott, brand manager for Lucozade Energy, of GlaxoSmithKline. O'Conner said: "Despite the challenging summer, this brand grew by almost 17% to £213m in the year to August - the eighth consecutive year of double digit growth.

"This brand has added an extra £12.7m to the wholesale channel over the past year. Not bad for an iconic brand that is enjoying its 80th birthday."

The Gold Medal for Foodservice Brand of the Year was won by McCoy's and was presented to Andrew Marchant, route to market sales controller of United Biscuits. O'Connor said: "This leading bagged snack brand is currently celebrating five years of consecutive growth and now worth over £85m.

"It is the fastest growing Top 10 everyday snack brand in foodservice with sales currently growing at +19% and is a firm family favourite bought by 6.6 million households in the UK this year."

Turning to the Gold Medals for service levels, O'Connor said: "This is a prize wholesalers wish all major suppliers could tie in first place for. Getting the order right so that the wholesaler can in turn supply his customers is a perennial problem, but this year there is an outstanding winner who is a shining example to others.

"In growing their commitment to the wholesale/independent channel, this company has devoted more time, more people, more equipment, more promotional activity and more individual store development calls than ever."

The winner of the Gold Medal for Service Company of the Year in Retail Products was Coca-Cola Enterprises, and it was presented to trading controller Darren Goldney.

The Gold Medal for the Service Company of the Year in Foodservice was won by Tetley, and the award was presented to Malcolm Grantham, business sector controller, general sales and out of home. O'Connor said: "By investing heavily in personnel over the last 18 months this iconic company has achieved a 35% volume growth in Foodservice. With service levels between 98.5 and 99% - very much in line with what the industry is looking for - this company has delivered a growth agenda that it is determined to continue."

Gallaher won the Gold Medal for the Best Trade Advertising in ProWholesaler, and the award was presented to communications manager Jeremy Blackburn. O'Connor said the award was for Gallaher's series of adverts that had kept the wholesale channel up to date with brand and market information during a busy period for the tobacco category.

The final presentation was a new Gold Medal for the My Shop is Your Shop Independent Retailer of the Year, which is nominated by wholesalers.

O'Connor said: "The winner is described by Booker, his wholesaler, as an independent who went far beyond the basis of the campaign for National Independents' Week. Our winner gained the support of numerous suppliers for give-aways and tastings. He also went to the Scottish Executive to obtain support for a five-a-day programme, organised a street party, teamed up with local emergency services for a fun day and raised over £650 for charity. He believes in and is committed to My Shop is Your Shop.

"Our winner is an exceptional independent retailer fully involved in his local community. We are proud to award the special Gold Medal to the owner of the Broadway Star Convenience Store in Edinburgh, Dennis Williams."

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