The winners of the 2021 Lycetts Leadership Award, the Lycetts Team Champions Award and the Farm & Stable Award for Innovation & Wellbeing were announced by the National Trainers Federation (NTF) on Thursday. Listed below are the winners of the three awards:
- Lycetts Leadership Award: Dan Skelton
- Lycetts Team Champions Award: Richard Phillips Racing
- Farm & Stable Award for Innovation and Wellbeing: Eve Johnson Houghton
Dan Skelton is the first winner of the Lycetts Leadership Award that was inaugurated this year and is designed to shine a light on and showcase the most exceptional leadership qualities and leaders within UK racing yards. The judges went on yard visits to each shortlisted trainer (Dan Skelton, Nick Alexander, Andrew Balding, Ruth Carr, Dan and Claire Kubler and Suzi Smith) to determine the winner. All winners will be hosted on Breeders Day at Sandown Park Racecourse on Sept. 15, with Skelton and Richard Phillips Racing each receiving £4,000. An award of Farm & Stable products valued at £2,000 will go to Eve Johnson-Houghton's team.
Peter Burnet, new to the judging panel this year, said, “The judges were delighted with the very high standard of entries this year. From those who have entered before, to those involved for the first time a picture of effective teams, led by committed leaders emerged across the field. They show that a well led team delivers results.”
In addition, there were four Excellence Award Winners sponsored by George Smith Horseboxes. The following trainers won their respective categories:
- Inclusive Recruitment & Effective Induction Systems – Andrew Balding
- Ensuring a Safe Working Environment – Dan Skelton
- Development & Training – Dan & Claire Kubler
- Reward & Recognition – Nick Alexander
Rupert Arnold, Chief Executive, NTF said, “In our fourth year of the awards, we were thrilled to see the diversity of stories, anecdotes and videos that emerged in the entries. Lycetts Awards accredited and winning yards are inspiring and progressive businesses that our industry can be proud of.
“The Lycetts Leadership Award was an important development for 2021, giving us all the opportunity to recognise the outstanding leadership skills flourishing in our industry, and under the most challenging of circumstances.
“Thank you to our members and their staff that took part this year and gave us so much to be inspired by. Congratulations to all our runners up and winners.”
On behalf of sponsors Lycetts, Piers Plunket said, “Lycetts Insurance Brokers are delighted to be supporting these awards again and we offer our congratulations to the winners and to everyone that entered.”
For more information, please visit www.racehorsetrainers.org.
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