Honorary Achievement and Brand Ambassador winners gather for first ever celebratory lunch

The first ever celebratory lunch for the Honorary Achievement winners from The Licensing Awards and the Brand Licensing Ambassadors from the Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards took place yesterday (20 November).

23 recipients of the accolades joined Max Publishing’s Ian Hyder (ceo), Jakki Brown (md), Rob Willis (coo) and Samantha Loveday (group editor) at The Crown Tavern in Clerkenwell for an afternoon of celebration.

Welcoming everyone, Jakki said: “Of all of the trophies that are presented at The Licensing Awards and the B&LLAs, the presentation of the Honorary Achievement and Brand Ambassador accolades provide a fitting finale to each awards ceremony. They acknowledge the huge contribution that some very special individuals have made to our industry, through their heartfelt commitment, professional integrity, passion, innate nous and total belief in what licensing IP can achieve in bringing joy and generating income for many.

“How wonderful that we have so many of those very special people in this room today. You are the inspiration for the future award recipients.”

The Licensing Awards Honorary Achievement winners (L-R): Stephen Gould, Anthony Temple, Richard Hollis, Trevor Jones, David Aykroyd, Danny Schweiger, Angela Hall, Mark Schweiger, Ian Downes, Andrew Lane, John McInnerny, Mike Redfern, Linda Pooley, Nicholas Durbridge and David Scott.
The Licensing Awards Honorary Achievement winners (L-R): Stephen Gould, Anthony Temple, Richard Hollis, Trevor Jones, David Aykroyd, Danny Schweiger, Angela Hall, Mark Schweiger, Ian Downes, Andrew Lane, John McInnerny, Mike Redfern, Linda Pooley, Nicholas Durbridge and David Scott.

From the Licensing Honorary Achievement Hall of Fame, attending were Nicholas Durbridge and Linda Pooley who were presented with the award in 2007; Mike Redfern who received it in 2008; Trevor Jones followed in 2009; Andrew Lane, the recipient in 2010; David Aykroyd in 2012; David Scott in 2014; Ian Downes in 2016; Anthony Temple in 2017; John McInnerny in 2020; Angela Hall in 2021; Stephen Gould in 2022; Danny and Mark Schweiger in 2023; and Richard Hollis at this year’s awards event.

Ian commented: “Our first ever Licensing Awards took place in 2006 and Richard Culley, co-founder of CPLG was the recipient of the inaugural Honorary Achievement Award. Unfortunately, Richard is away this week and so couldn’t make it here today.

“Also sending their apologies are Laurence Prince, founder of Danilo and Keith Chapman, creator of PAW Patrol and Bob the Builder among other IP who received Honorary Achievement awards in 2015 and 2018 respectively.”

The Brand Ambassadors (L-R): Jane Evans, Daniel Avener, Angela Farrugia, Adam Bass, Lauren Sizeland, Richard Pink, Louise French and Will Stewart.
The Brand Ambassadors (L-R): Jane Evans, Daniel Avener, Angela Farrugia, Adam Bass, Lauren Sizeland, Richard Pink, Louise French and Will Stewart.

There was also almost a full house of B&LLAs Brand Ambassadors, with only Maxine Lister, head of licensing at the Natural History Museum and the recipient in 2023, unable to attend.

Angela Farrugia, was the first winner, back in 2016, followed by Jane Evans in 2017; Richard Pink in 2018; Lauren Sizeland in 2019; Will Stewart in 2020; Daniel Avener in 2021; Adam Bass in 2022; and Louise French was crowned Brand Licensing Ambassador at this year’s B&LLAs.

Jakki continued: “But that is not the full picture as some of our wonderful honourees are sadly no longer with us. Gone but far from forgotten are John Sinfield who received the award posthumously in 2011, Pauline Lonsdale in 2012, Kelvyn Gardner in 2013 and Patrick Bailey in 2019. Their legacies live on.”

Further coverage from the afternoon will be published in the spring 2025 edition of Licensing Source Book, while attendees also filmed some video shorts with Sam and Nicola Webster (Max Publishing’s social media manager) – sharing everything from the best advice they ever received through to where their trophies are kept – which will appear across social media from early 2025.

You can also check out some pictures from the afternoon by clicking on this link.

Want to read more news like this? Simply sign up to our daily digest by clicking here. You can also follow us on LinkedIn and on Instagram (@licensing_source).

MORE NEWS
B&LLAs2025500x500
 
The event will take place on Thursday 24 April at the Royal Lancaster London, where the assembled audience of retailers, licensees, brand owners and industry executives will celebrate the achievements of the 219 finalists across 22 categories, as well as witnessing the crowning of this year's Brand Ambassador....
BeanstalkJuliusK9500x500
 
Beanstalk will look to leverage JULIUS-K9's strong brand equity to extend its offering into key categories across the UK and Europe including pet food, vitamins, bedding, cages and travel products....
BobMarleyfragrance500x500
 
"This collection is a tribute to our legacy and how we continue to inspire people, creating a sense of calm and togetherness that lasts across generations."...
BrandLicensingForDummies500x500
 
Available from 19 May in print and digital formats, the book - written by Steven Ekstract and Stu Seltzer - is aiming to become an essential resource for anyone looking to understand, enter or expand within the fast growing world of licensing....
PeterRabbitWildBrainCPLG500x500
 
Under the agreement, WildBrain CPLG will manage the consumer products programme rights across merchandise, promotions, digital and experiences....
GrindClueless500x500
 
Coffee company, Grind has unveiled its latest limited edition collection, teaming with Paramount Pictures' Clueless to commemorate the film's 30th anniversary and the launch of Clueless, The Musical in London's West End....
Get the latest news sent to your inbox
Subscribe to our daily newsletter

The list doesn't exist! Make sure you have imported the list on the 'Manage List Forms' page.