Myerscough College recognised in Lancashire’s Red Rose Awards

The prestigious ceremony at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens last week recognised and celebrated the very best that Lancashire has to offer in terms of business, commerce and industry. Myerscough College was shortlisted in the category of Employer of the Year, and was the only further education college in the county to be nominated in any category.

The Red Rose Awards showcase the best of Lancashire business across a range of sectors, to an audience of more than 1,000 business owners, employees and public sector figures.

Each entry is first selected from hundreds of nominations. A shortlist was then made up of the most promising entrants, who then made pitches to panels of judges. More than 60 experts were involved in judging.

Richard Slater, publisher of Lancashire Business View magazine which hosts the Red Rose Awards, said: “The Red Rose Awards has been yet another fantastic showcase of the incredible businesses and the work they do right here in Lancashire.

 “This is the ninth time we have hosted the awards and we continue to unearth ‘hidden gems’. This awards ceremony is our chance to shine a spotlight on these companies - as much as the familiar names - so that everyone throughout the county, and beyond, can celebrate their great work.”

“The ultimate aim of the Red Rose Awards is to prove that you can - and should - have everything you need right here in Lancashire. And anyone who was there on the night, or who has read through the list of winners and finalists, will be convinced this is true.”

The nomination for Employer of the Year came on the back of another period of phenomenal success for Myerscough, making the College a key business within the Lancashire economy both in its academic and commercial operations. Academically saw significant investment to ensure the College remains among the country’s best for student success within the land-based and sport sectors, while learners have been recognised with a string of regional and national awards for their excellence.

The College also retained Leaders in Diversity status, while higher education programmes achieved a prestigious gold rating in the Teaching & Excellence Framework, a government assessment that recognises quality provision. Commercially, the Garden Centre and Tea Rooms won Gold at North West in Bloom for the 7th straight year, while the Myerscough International Equine Arena attracted star industry names for sell-out shows. Meanwhile, the summer Open Day & Country Fair is one of the county’s premier tourism events, significantly boosting the local economy.

Myerscough runs extensive, innovative, Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programmes, which offer staff across all levels an opportunity to improve and enhance not only their abilities, but also their CVs for future employment. Annual “Star Awards’’ celebrate staff achievement and excellence. Health and wellbeing of the workforce is also key, while Staff Forums, where employees can raise concerns or make suggestions, are held regularly.

John Stanworth, head of corporate banking at headline sponsor, Barclays, said: “It is always a privilege to be associated with awards that unashamedly celebrate business success in Lancashire. The Red Rose Awards create a positive culture and a buzz across the county and the ceremony was yet again not one to be missed!’’