As I write this I realise it is over 20 years ago that I first became involved in the Awards business. All that time ago I helped shape and deliver an audit programme for a major not-for-profit industry awards ceremony, which I’m delighted is still being used to this day. The awards, as well as recognising excellence within their industry sector, also raised funds for charity so integrity counted on three levels. Firstly, to ensure the correct winner took home the silverware, the second to protect the integrity of the organiser, and the third to make the awards matter to the winners!

Two decades later I find myself in charge of one of the largest awards in the industry; The AEO Excellence Awards held in June each year on the highly prestigious Park Lane. This bastion of the industry enters its 23rd year this year, and it is, in equal measure, an honour, privilege and massive responsibility to nurture this event.

In the intervening period I was fortunate to attend many a gala event, indeed attended most of the AEO Awards in that time. I witnessed first-hand the excitement of everyone in the room, the impact on the winners and the disappointment of the losers which was unfortunately, but inevitably, accompanied by a rumble of ‘it was rigged’. So as I embarked on my tenure as AEO CEO last year I was filled with more than a little trepidation at the thought of overseeing a process where just 10% of the entries would result in a trophy. I felt sure that after the ceremony I’d be greeted with a queue of people waiting to express their dissatisfaction at not winning. I’m pleased to report, however, that that was not the case, the event was a great success and I came away relatively unscathed (apart from a hangover), thanks to the approach we took