You choose city’s leading contributor
For the first time, the winner of this year’s Outstanding Contribution to Bath Award at the Bathlive Business Awards will be decided through a public vote.
The award, which is sponsored by Bath law firm Stone King, is for a member of the community who has made a lasting contribution to the city.
There are four shortlisted nominees and readers of Businesslive, Somersetlive and the Bath Chronicle newspaper are being asked to cast their vote to choose who will be the winner.
The ceremony, which is back having had a three-year break due to the pandemic, is set to take place on Thursday, September 29, at Bath Pavilion, in partnership with returning headline sponsor Bath-based internet service provider Truespeed.
Steven Greenwood, managing partner at Stone King, said: “Each of these four nominees has made a very unique and valuable contribution to the Bath community through their tireless efforts in their respective fields. There’s no doubt that all four deserve this award, and to be praised and recognised for their work.”
Voting for the winner of the Outstanding Contribution to Bath Award will close on Tuesday, August 30.
So, in no particular order, here are the four nominees:
Pauline Swaby-wallace
Ms Swaby-wallace runs the Black Ethnic Minority Senior Citizens Association (BEMSCA) charity, based at Bath’s historic Fairfield House - once the home of former emperor of Ethiopia His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I.
Launched in 1993, the organisation was originally launched as a lunch club for older members of the Caribbean, Asian and Chinese communities to socialise.
Having worked with BEMSCA for more than 20 years Ms Swaby-wallace and her team have led a host of initiatives to support its elders and highlight the heritage and contributions made to a wider community.
George Samios
Mr Samios is the headteacher at Twerton Infant School and Nursery. The school offers its children a breakfast club, forest school, play-based counselling, food support through the charity Fareshare, and a mentoring partnership with Bath Rugby Club with weekly support from players.
Carole Banwell
Ms Banwell is the general manager of National League South side Bath City Football Club.
She has spearheaded the efforts of volunteers to deliver the Romans’ resurgence as one of Bath’s most popular organisations. As well as its community initiatives, Ms Banwell is credited with helping the club produce its highest revenues for many years.
Eddie Ilic
Having recovered from alcohol and drug addiction Mr Illic gives haircuts to the homeless in Bath and Bristol, including on Christmas Day, spreading a message of hope particularly for those struggling with or recovering from addiction.
He started up the Eddie’s Street Cuts community project to recruit more hairdressers and passes on his message by giving talks at schools, prisons and a TEDX Bath talk.
To cast your vote go to https://eu.jotform.com/221994146914362. To find out more about how about the Bathlive Business Awards 2022 and to purchase tickets, visit the event’s official website: https://bathlive-business-awards.evessiocloud.com/bathlivebusinessawards2022/en/page/home.