Designer Award 2009

This year the event was celebrated at the Geffrye Museum on another crisp dry night in November. Over 120 came to hear Alex Finlay talk of the challenges she faced to create her website business, "Fin's for him", how she coped and developed herself. The journey was inspirational.

Richard Paice, past President, warmly thanked the sponsors, David Spitz, Colin Temple from Schuh, and Harvey Jacobson from Lotus, as well as the judges, Georgina Goodman and Tracey Neuls for all their contributions.

First prize went to Joanne Stoker, and the Joe Meltzer travel award to Darren Murphy.

In addition Richard Kottler, Chief Executive of the British Footwear Association announced the new BFA/Magic Award, a booth for free at the next Magic show in Las Vegas. This went to two rising stars, Lona Jones and Rebecca Abrahams.

Once again the evening provided a great opportunity to meet and mix across the whole spectrum of the trade.

Several new charitable initiatives have since emerged from those encounters.

You can view the Photo Gallery from the 2009 Award Celebration online.