In the first Florist Magazine 30 Under 30 Awards, presented during Good Florist Event in October, 11 young florists, ranging in age from 17 to 29 and 359 days old! (yup we checked and they JUST scraped in!!) were awarded and rewarded for their successes … and potential!
Because, having researched the nominees in-depth, (she didn’t just work on the nomination words but looked at nominees social media, websites and anything else she could find!!) lead judge, Stephanie Harris, a member of Good Florist Guide and owner of The Rose Garden in Great Dunmow and Great Barfield, felt that there needed to be more than one big prize in order to really showcase the depth and breadth of the finalists as well as pay tribute to the weird times the industry has gone through.
As a result, there were four Awards; Shop/Studio of the Year, Employee of the Year, Best Pivoter and Ones to Watch …. a new category that allowed the judging panel to honour and praise young people who they felt were on track to go places!
In a heartfelt and – at times – quite emotional presentation, Steph not only paid tribute to all the finalists but took the time to read the panels notes for each candidate.
All 11 winners were invited as guests of Florist Magazine to attend Good Florist Event and whilst some couldn’t be there, the rapturous applause was as loud for those not able to attend as those in the room.
Having seen the positivity of the new Awards and the benefits to the nominees The Florist Magazine 30 under 30 will be repeated and nominations will open in June 2022.
The winners
Shop of the Year 2021
Winner
Elizabeth (Lizzie) Newcombe, The Botanical Company, Bramley, Surrey - pictured above with her mother, Christine
Second Place
Naomi Jade Simpson, Inspirations by Naomi, Woodville, South Derbyshire - pictured below
Highly Commended
Katie Woods, Katie Rose Florist, Whalley, Lancashire
Katie was unable to attend so we will publish her picture was soon as we can
Employee of the Year 2021
Winner
Lauren Jade Thomas, Chelsea Flowers, Wilmslow - pictured above with lead judge Stephanie Harris
Runner up
Zoe Rowlinson, Moreton Morrell College and Fabulous Flowers in Oxford
Zoe was unable to attend so we will publish her picture was soon as we can
Pivoter of the Year 2021
Winner
Kenny Raybould, Battling On, Plymouth
Runner Up
Lara Chatten, Linda Cottee Flowers, New Covent Garden Market
One’s to Watch 2021
In alphabetical order
Daisy Annandale, Flores Diem, Market Drayton
Eve Kilkie, Flowers by Karen, Kilmarnock
Lilly Franklin, Floral Explosion, Longfield, Kent
Lilly was unable to attend so we will publish her picture was soon as we can.
Sri Aathavan, Van Arthur, London
