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    • Progiene   Finalists Announced for the National SQP Awards 2021

      National SQP AwardsNovatec Skills Centre have sponsored the National SQP Awards 2021 which are to be held on the 5th November at the National SQP Awards gala lunch in the House of Commons. With sponsorship for the Independent Store of the Year and Multiple Store of the Year categories. The nominations have been received, and judging has now been complete.

      As explained in Over The Counter, John Lewis, chairman of Lewis Business Media, the organiser of the National SQP Awards, and chairman of the judging panel, said he was delighted by the quality of entries, which highlighted the effort that SQPs put into providing the relevant information.

      Mr Lewis said: “It’s been hard work, but a pleasure for the judges to meet and talk about some great candidates. In some categories, there were very fine margins between the winners and those shortlisted. Indeed, many who did not make the finalist list only missed out by a whisker.

      “I am delighted that Lewis Business Media and OvertheCounter are able to bring you the National SQP Awards. The event on November 5 will be a chance to celebrate the role of the UK’s SQPs, at the same time as recognising best practice.” 

      The shortlist for the Novatec Skills Centres categories can be seen below.

      Independent Store of the Year – sponsored by Novatec

      J S Hubbuck, Hexham
      TFM Countrystore, Whisby
      WE Jameson & Son, Masham

      Multiple Store of the Year – sponsored by Novatec
      Carrs Billington, Hexham
      Mole Country Store, Piercebridge
      Pets at Home, York

      Good luck to all those involved.

      Other category shortlists for the finals are;

      Companion Animal SQP of the Year – sponsored by Frontline
      Charlotte Forkes-Rees, Mole Country Stores, Berkeley
      Rebecca Owen, Pets at Home, Telford
      Charlotte Wright, H&C Beart, Stowbridge

      Equine SQP of the Year
      Catherine Johnson, Carrs Billington, Hexham
      Sandy Robertson, Equine Endo, Lincoln
      Claire Shand, Westgate Laboratories, Morpeth

      Farm SQP of the Year – sponsored by Elanco
      Sammy Howorth, Wynnstay Group, Bacup
      Emma Parkinson, Belmont Farm & Equine Vets, Bromyard
      Lynette Wilcox, Mole Country Stores, Berkeley

      Nutritional Expertise of the Year – sponsored by Bimeda Animal Health
      Charlotte Forkes-Rees, Mole Country Stores, Berkeley
      Alexandra Lilley, TFM Countrystore, Whisby
      Helen Peart, Aspatria Farmers, Penrith

      Outstanding Customer Service Award
      Lucy Chandler, TFM Countrystore, Whisby
      Keri Whitwell, Isle Veterinary Group, Ely
      Lynette Wilcox, Mole Country Stores, Berkeley

      Store Manager of the Year – sponsored by Provita
      Nikki Harris, TFM Countrystore, Whisby
      Stella Kendall, Pets at Home, York
      Chris Thomas, Wynnstay Group, Cardigan

      Veterinary Practice SQP of the Year
      Jane Moorhouse, Hird & Partners, Halifax
      Emma Parkinson, Belmont Farm & Equine Vets, Bromyard
      Keri Whitwell, Isle Veterinary Group, Ely

      Newly Qualified SQP of the Year – sponsored by MSD Animal Health
      Sammy Howorth, Wynnstay Group, Bacup
      Katie Morrisroe, Mole Country Stores, Alfreton
      Lynn Spybey, TFM Countrystore, Whisby

      Special Achievement Award
      Ceri Jones, Wynnstay Group, Newtown
      Claire Shand, Westgate Laboratories, Morpeth




    • Progiene   Novatec Skills Centre to sponsor National SQP Awards. Entries open until July 23

      National SQP AwardsNovatec Skills Centre, the eLearning platform supporting the leading Rumenco, Nettex Agriculture, Nettex Equine, Nettex Poultry, and Progiene brands, is delighted to sponsor the 2021 National SQP Awards, Independent Store of the Year and Multiple Store of the Year categories with its recently launched eLearning platform the Novatec Skills Centre.

      “Retail business and in-store SQP’s are essential in helping equine, livestock and poultry owners achieve high standards of animal health, welfare and performance by providing both tools and expertise to customers,” says Claire Lalor, Commercial Director for Rumenco. “This year, in particular, these industry stakeholders have gone above and beyond to deliver on the ground support.”

      The categories sponsored include independent Store of the Year and Multiple Store of the Year and are open to retailers that have proven to provide individual shopping experiences by delivering customer service with a range of products and in-store activities such as promotions and customer events.

      Simon King, OvertheCounter’s editor, said: “We are delighted that the Novatec Skills Centre is sponsoring the Independent Store of the Year and Multiple Store of the Year categories.

      “Country stores and pet shops have performed very well during the pandemic and these two categories give a great opportunity for them to be recognised at the National SQP Awards.”

      Providing retailer support

      Recently launched, the Novatec Skills Centre is a free, easy-to-use e-learning platform hosting AMTRA accredited CPD and additional educational content. Launching with 16 different on-demand modules worth over 120 AMTRA CPD points, areas of training include equine, poultry and production animals from experts and veterinary surgeons. In addition, the platform has several non-accredited video content from experts with real, “hands-on” practical advice.

      “Optimised for smartphone, tablet and desktop devices the platform can be accessed from work or home. RAMA’s can register at skillscentre-sandbox.mwp.tituslearning.com and when they complete modules they are sent a certificate immediately and their CPD points are automatically sent to AMTRA*– keeping track of the number of points accumulated and eliminating any admin work,” explains Ms Lalor. “This ability to access and complete practical and applicable on-the-go CPD training will be hugely beneficial to in-store advisors.”

      Entering the National SQP Awards 2021

      Entry deadlines for the National SQP Awards 2021 are open until Friday, July 23. The awards will be held on Friday, November 5 at the Houses of Parliament. For businesses and SQP’s interested in learning more or submitting an entry, visit www.nationalsqpawards.co.uk/.

      Categories include:

      Companion Animal SQP of the Year

      Equine SQP of the Year

      Farm SQP of the Year

      Independent Store of the Year

      Nutritional Expertise Award

      Multiple Store of the Year

      Outstanding Contribution to the Industry Award

      Outstanding Customer Service Award

      Store Manager of the Year

      Veterinary Practice SQP of the Year

      Newly Qualified SQP of the Year

      Special Achievement Award

      National SQP of the Year


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