Fashion UK’s chief operating officer, Patrick Bailey, honoured with special award.
The Licensing Awards reached a stellar conclusion on Tuesday night, when Patrick Bailey was presented with the Honorary Achievement award.
The announcement of the winner was met with rapturous applause and cheers, with attendees in The Great Room of the Grosvenor House Hotel all rising to their feet as Patrick made his way to the stage.
Introducing the award, Jakki Brown, joint md of Max Publishing, which owns and organises The Licensing Awards, said: “At a time of great change in the world, in business and in licensing, it is good to reflect of what really makes it all makes all go round. And in the licensing world what sets it apart is the people who make it tick.
“Tonight we honour someone who really epitomises this – someone you would want in your raft in the bad times and by your side in the good ones. For over the last 25 years they have made their presence felt, not by making a big noise about it, but through putting their sound judgment, innate licensing nous and extraordinary people skills to good use winning the hearts and minds of many – customers, colleagues and peers alike.”
Having spent some time in the toy space, the lure of textiles saw Patrick work with the eponymous Roy Lowe of Roy Lowe & Sons, as well as helping to build the reputation and licensing portfolio of Blues for over a decade.
Last February, he joined Fashion UK as chief operating officer.
Patrick has also been instrumental in helping to establish and grow The Light Fund Golf Day, while also taking part in both of the gruelling cycle rides for the industry charity, raising many thousands of pounds in the process.
Jakki continued: “Like so many others in this room I have had the good fortune to get to know this very special individual. To use a golfing analogy, he is a real ‘go to’ caddy, who can read a course, knows what clubs to have in his bag, remains calm and objective throughout, but will be there for the celebration afterwards whatever the outcome.”
Patrick commented: “I am very grateful to everyone. I have worked for some fantastic companies and individuals – Roy Lowe, a true gentleman; Gurdev and Mickey at Fashion UK who have been fantastic and very kind to me; and a great friend, George from Blues.
“We have a fantastic retail base in the UK which really understands and supports licensing and I have made friends over the years.”
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