Driving the ongoing campaign has been the knowledge that RBS International’s greatest asset, as a service business, is its staff.  We are fully committed to offering the best possible customer service and recognise this is only possible when staff are motivated and confident to support the local community.

Throughout the organisation, the investment in training and education has been welcomed and is playing an important role in helping our business meet our customers’ needs and the demands of an ever changing commercial environment.  If every member of staff does their bit to adapt, then the bank will be better placed to adjust and meet these evolving challenges.

We will of course take some time to celebrate winning this award, but there is a clear sense within the bank that we cannot rest on our laurels.  This Award will inspire greater momentum to ensure we continue to adapt because the banking industry will continue to face on going changes and challenges in the coming years.

In the immediate future, we will be looking to further develop the Learning Hub which has proved to be a major benefit.  The local aspect of this educational facility has been invaluable in helping employees understand local matters and local market nuances, both of which are vital when operating in a small, close-knit environment.  We will also continue to encourage staff to develop their leadership and communication skills by delivering more of our MoneySense sessions to Guernsey schools.

This award is testament to the willingness of RBS International employees to take personal ownership of their ongoing learning requirements.   I would like to thank all staff and line managers for the important role they have played in helping RBS International position itself as a business which is adaptable and responsive to customers’ needs.

Jason Le Ray
Relationship Director, Institutional Banking
RBS International

CCD Architects were in the running for the main award when they first took to the stage to collect the BWCI Best Medium Business Award in front of a 780 strong audience made up of local dignitaries and business men and women. They saw off weighty competition from Aztec Group and Clydesdale Bank International.

At the end of the Awards gala evening they were named as  overall winners of the night when they were presented with the Commerce & Employment Guernsey Business of the Year Award by the Lieutenant Governor, Air Marshal Peter Walker, who was attending his first Guernsey Awards for Achievement evening.

Chairman of the judging panel, Deputy Robert Sillars, said CCD Architects were outstanding and extremely worthy of the title, Guernsey Business of the Year.

‘It was very apparent from their original submission and presentation that CCD demonstrated a huge range of extended values, with passion at the forefront of their business. Through specific and well-known projects such as the medical specialists’ centres and the new Les Bourgs Hospice, their creativity and flair will leave a long lasting legacy to our community,’ he said.

Local design studio Two Degrees North, were the recipients of the NatWest Best Small Business Award.  Described by the judges at their presentation as ‘a hugely passionate team brilliantly describing their heart and soul,’ they came top over local surveying practice Jones Watts and retailers Ray & Scott.

The Healthspan Best Large Business trophy was awarded to well-known and respected local business BDO.  They faced strong competition from Cable & Wireless Communications and Islands Insurance. The judges were impressed with the way BDO had ‘moved with the times to provide excellence in all areas of business and really felt that everyone was on board within the company.’

The Excellence in Training Award, sponsored jointly by the NP Group, IOD and GTA University Centre, was awarded to RBS International. GTA University Centre’s Chief Executive Fiona Naftel said that they fully deserved the honour as they more than met the rigorous criteria of the award.

‘Their approach to staff learning, training and development is far reaching and all encompassing. The commitment of senior management to the development of staff was particularly impressive being founded on an ethos of innovation, maximising the potential of individual staff members and increasing overall staff retention. No mean feat,’ she said.

The Commerce & Employment Minister, Deputy Carla McNulty Bauer, said the Awards evening had provided a strong reminder that despite the on-going economic difficulties facing Guernsey and the rest of the world, business success was still attainable and very much apparent within the island.

‘I congratulate all the finalists who have demonstrated such high levels of talent within their respective fields. They should all feel extremely proud of themselves not only for their personal success but also for being a major part of strengthening our economy,’ she said.

This was the third year that the public were invited to vote online as well as by post for their favourite nominee – someone who works tirelessly for the local community and the service of others. Mrs Marquis was the outright winner, with votes spread evenly among the remaining shortlisted nominees.

Mrs Marquis, 45, is involved in several charities, including The Pink Ladies, Wigwam, Guernsey Deaf Children’s Society and is also an active participant in an initiative that supports British troops on deployment in Afghanistan.

A mother of four children, including one of whom has Down’s Syndrome, she undertakes all her charity work on a volunteer basis and in the little spare time she has is learning sign language so that she can communicate more easily with the children she works with at the Deaf Society.

Debi Troth, who nominated Mrs Marquis, said: ‘Kim is remarkable, she is always keen to help others and puts everyone else first, she never has any time for herself.’

Another voter said that ‘Kim is a very special lady and so deserves this award. She is truly an unsung hero; there is so much she does that people are unaware of’.

Specsavers founder Dame Mary Perkins, said: ‘This award has become the voice of the Guernsey people and they have shouted out their chosen winner. We were so pleased to see how many votes were cast this year, as well as the number of initial nominations. It really is a lovely award to be involved with.’

Islanders were asked to nominate their unsung heroes and a shortlist was drawn up by a panel, including the Bailiff Sir Geoffrey Rowland.

The other five shortlisted nominees included Ian Gaudion, member of the Guernsey Scout Band since its inception and band master since 1994; Lewis Laine, for his outstanding contribution to local football and St Martin’s FC; Derek Le Boutillier, who has run the charity equipment store for the Motor Neuron/Neuroconcern charity for many years; Mavis Lemon, who has dedicated countless hours to cancer sufferers in Guernsey through work at Bulstrode House and with the Guernsey Society for Cancer Relief; and Anne Smith, who was described as the driving force behind the Guernsey Stroke Association for more than 30 years.

Dame Mary presented Mrs Marquis with a trophy, a £3,000 holiday voucher and a £1,000 donation to the charity of her choice.

30^th August 2011 was the day that local Guernsey man and retired breast cancer surgeon, Roger Allsopp created a new Guinness World Record when he became the oldest man to swim the English Channel at the age of 70 years and 115 days.

His achievement, made even more inspiring by the fact that it was the second time that Roger had completed the infamous Channel swim, was covered comprehensively by local media, UK media and much further afield including Thailand and Australia.  His swimming feats are what have recently propelled Roger to the top of local, regional and international media headlines, but it is his tireless work and commitment to Hope For Guernsey and Wessex Medical Research that provides the real motivation in his life.  The objective of Roger’s 2011 Channel swim was to raise £750,000 to buy a mass spectrometer for Southampton University that will help with early diagnosis of cancer.

The two runners up in the 2011 Guiton Group Ambassador of the Year Award were international bowls sportswoman Alison Merrien and the Guernsey Football Club.  Alison has had another stellar year in 2011 by winning two world titles, a silver medal at the World Indoor Cup in Australia and a bronze medal at the World Outdoor Champion of Champions in Hong Kong.  She was also nominated for the 2011 Sportingbet Sports Personality of the Year Award and was awarded the MBE in the New Year’s Honours List for services to sport.

Guernsey Football Club was launched in 2011 and has recorded an impressive tally of home and away wins before they have even completed their first season.  The Club, a registered charity, was established to give Guernsey’s top footballers an opportunity to compete regularly at a higher level in the Combined Counties League in England.  Combining professionalism and passion on and off the pitch, the players, officials and fans have been “ambassadors” for the Bailiwick be they playing at home or away.

The judges for the Guiton Group Ambassador of the Year Award are Robert Shepherd of Mourant Ozannes, Gary Burgess of Channel TV, James Bentley of Island FM, Louise Hall of Chamber of Commerce, Mark Palfrey of the Institute of Directors (Guernsey branch), Mike Tanguy of Les Bourgs Hospice and Suzanne Heneghan and Mark Lewis of the Guernsey Press.

“The achievements of all the short-listed individuals and all nominees for this year’s Ambassador of the Year were once again deeply impressive in the depth of their commitment to their chosen field of endeavour” said John Averty, Chairman of the Guiton Group.  “I know that the judges had a difficult time even creating the short-list and it was only after much discussion that the winner was identified.  To have such admirable individuals as ambassadors for the Bailiwick of Guernsey truly endorses the credibility and importance of the Ambassador of the Year Award that the Guiton Group is proud to be the sponsor of.”

Commerce and Employment Business of the Year….CCD Architects

NatWest Best Small Business…..Two Degrees North

BWCI Best Medium Business…..CCD Architects

Healthspan Best Large Business…..BDO

NP Group – IOD – GTA University Centre Excellence in Training…..RBS International

Specsavers Unsung Hero…..Kim Marquis

Guiton Group Ambassador of the Year…..Roger Allsopp

Since Tuesday morning a host of local suppliers have been hard at work transforming the Sir John Loveridge Hall at Beau Sejour into a stunning gala evening, where seven trophies will be presented to those businesses and individuals who have had an outstanding year.

The two and a half day build will be overseen by the organisers of the Awards, The Guernsey Event Company and is the culmination of almost a year’s work in planning.  They will be joined by other local companies including Joy’s, Sueco, Regency Events, Tussie Mussie and Eventure, each using their specific skills to ensure the Awards evening is one of the most prestigious in Guernsey.

A full afternoon of rehearsals will take place on Thursday afternoon before the evening begins with a Champagne reception, sponsored by Rothschild.  Internationally renowned architect Robert Adam is being brought over by the Garenne Group to be this year’s keynote speaker and following a three-course meal, the seven trophies will then be awarded.