Employer of the Year Capital Cash
The judges were particularly impressed with their people development, through their in-depth training programmes for staff. They used the Governments Kickstart scheme to great effect to help 18-24 year olds build their careers.
Best Store of the Year Cashbrokers, Slough
The business started during the Covid lockdown period and against all odds achieved amazing growth and success, employing more staff than expecting and building a solid platform for the future.
Community Contribution H&T
H&T undertook a partnership with FairShare to work with their staff to support the goal of providing 100,000 meals to support schools, the old and homeless people. They are on target to provide 200.000 meals for 2021.
Employee of the Year- Maria Merlusca - Prestige Pawnbrokers
Maria acted tirelessly providing impeccable customer service and continuously upskilling throughout a difficult year, customer feedback was excellent.
Student of the Year- Kim Butcher from GEO A Payne
This award is based on achieving top marks in the NPA’s Excellence in Pawnbroking Certification.
Students study 5 modules based on pawnbroking, law and compliance, and technical knowledge of metals and jewellery.
Lifetime Achievement and Honorary Fellowship Award - Paul Smit- Cashbrokers
This accolade is only given to those who have dedicated their professional time to the cause of pawnbroking and have specifically excelled in helping or serving the NPA. Paul served as President of NPA from 2014 to 2016 and then from 2017-2021. During this period he has supported NPA through turbulent times, firstly with the significant change resulting from FCA regulation from 2014 and at the same time helping NPA to fight bank account closures. He has been resilient and focused in his support for NPA and the industry.
Ray Perry, CEO of NPA said,
“The Awards this year have demonstrated the professionalism and excellence in all categories especially given the difficult times experienced during the Covid and lockdown period. Congratulations must go to all those firms who were short-listed. The standard once again was excellent making the judges decisions very hard. This speaks volumes of the professionalism of the industry.
-ENDS-
Contact
For more information or to arrange interviews with Ray Perry, please contact us on 07735 886930
Notes for Editors
The National Pawnbrokers Association (NPA) was founded in 1892 and is the trade association representing pawnbrokers, from the large chains through to independents, in a £500m loan market. It is the authoritative voice of the pawnbroking industry in the UK. The NPA stands for expertise, fairness and transparency, professionalism and excellence. All our members are bound by our rules and a customer code of conduct. Pawnbroking is part of the credit industry and is regulated alongside banks and other lenders by the Financial Conduct Authority.