Minster Law Awards Ball 2023: Meet our award-winning colleagues

Minster Law’s annual Awards Ball is a fantastic opportunity for us to recognise our colleagues’ achievements over the past year and celebrate together at a glamorous ceremony.

Each year, our colleagues nominate those who they believe have best demonstrated our values, with tenacity, creativity, courage, and teamwork that we uphold every day in our business. We had a huge number of colleagues nominated this year which is a wonderful reflection of all the incredible achievements by our colleagues and the subsequent recognition from peers.

Our 2023 Awards Ball at the Queens Hotel in Leeds, saw more than 300 colleagues attend to cheer on the finalists and winners across seven prestigious award categories.

Without further ado, it’s a pleasure to introduce our award-winning colleagues.

Stand Together Award – With a shared purpose, we can have a more positive impact on the people around us

Winner: Nikki Sutcliffe, Commercial Finance Business Partner

Time with Minster Law: 18 months

Nikki is the epitome of what it means to stand together with our colleagues. Her mindset and outputs allow for seamless integration of the operation and support services, something which is vital in creating true alignment and enabling us to achieve our shared goals. Nikki’s ability to distinguish between what is difficult and what is possible reminds us that this is always dependant on an individual’s resolve and ingenuity.

Nikki said: “I was surprised (and nervous) when I heard my name as it was such a strong category, and I was not expecting to win. I feel honoured and humbled to have been recognised by colleagues who value my contribution to the business.

It was a great evening of recognition and celebration. Well done to all the finalists and thank you to all those who helped to organise the event.”

Be Courageous Award – Believe in the opportunity and have the courage to follow it to wherever it leads us

Winner: Manjeet Dhesi, Technical Lead

Time with Minster Law: 4 years

Manjeet is a shining example of this value, never afraid of a new challenge or rolling up her sleeves to tackle an issue or problem head on. This year, Manjeet’s knowledge and expertise has been instrumental in increasing the pace of case progression and transforming her department. An excellent role model for Minster Law’s culture, Manjeet is a passionate advocate for equality, diversity and inclusion and is an integral member of our ED&I committee.

Manjeet said: “It was a really overwhelming feeling to win the award. It was only when I heard that the winner was a member of the EDI Committee (Equality Diversity and Inclusion) that I suddenly realised that it was referencing me and my name was announced.

I was then so focused on walking out and up the stairs in my saree that nothing else occurred to me until I hugged Shirley and it suddenly felt very real.

I felt really proud of myself and empowered to continue making a difference.

I would like to thank all my colleagues that nominated me for the awards and for the recognition, and all Minster colleagues for making it a great evening.”

Find a Way – The difference between what is difficult and what is possible lies within our own resolve

Winner: Alfie Aldcroft, Serious Injury and LV= Adviser

Time with Minster Law: 3 years and 5 months

Alfie’s persistence and work ethic are second to none, no matter what challenges arise. Alfie excels at navigating challenges and finding a way to ensure that the best interests of the customer and Minster Law are always a priority. His empathy, initiative, and genuine care for doing right by the customer has ensured several of our high-value multi-track cases have stayed with Minster Law, proving that if you put your mind to it, you can always find a way to resolve any issue.

Alfie said: “I still can’t believe it, I felt proud to have won this award.

Thank you to everyone that nominated me over the past three years and thank you to Minster for putting an amazing ball! It always lovely to see everyone enjoying themselves.”

Outstanding Committee Contribution Award – Celebrating those colleagues who have contributed to any of our important committees, or have been involved in a piece of work outside of their normal role which has had a positive impact on the culture of our business or local community

Winner: Annie Wescott, Customer Coordinator

Time with Minster Law: 7 years

Annie always makes a truly valuable contribution to everything she is involved with. Living and breathing collaboration, she brings together individuals, teams, and departments. Annie is always the first to offer to support on work outside of her role and her contributions continue to make Minster Law a great place to work. Never afraid to speak up for what she believes in, Annie has the courage to think outside of the box. This year her efforts have made a real positive difference to our customers and colleagues alike.

Annie said: “I was panicking at the idea of walking up onto a stage. I walked off in the wrong direction but I’ll take that over falling off it any day. It doesn’t really hit you until you sit down, at which point it’s all a bit of a surprise and really nice to feel appreciated. Thank you to Minster Law for putting on a great annual event, everyone had such a great night.”

Jonathan Bamforth’s Great Service Award – Jonathan was a strong advocate for delivering excellent customer service and his approach was pivotal in creating and shaping what has become one of the most successful serious injury teams in our industry. In tribute to Jonathan, this award recognises those helping and delighting our customers through great service

Winner: Edel Selby, Associate Solicitor and Principal Solicitor for Amputee Claims

Time with Minster Law: 11 years and 3 months

Edel really sets the bar for customer service and care. Despite working in a challenging environment, Edel continues to shine through with real professionalism and the commitment to the customer, always leaving a lasting impression. Edel’s tireless commitment and support inspires those around her. She is a wonderful colleague, a stalwart advocate for justice, and an attentive, kind-hearted tutor for our colleagues. Both the executive team and the wider business cannot think of a more worthy colleague to pay tribute to the memory of Jonathan.

Edel said: “I feel very honoured to have been nominated by colleagues in the first instance. I see every day the great work that is done by my colleagues for our seriously injured clients so for them to think my contribution is of note and to take the time to nominate me is very flattering. Equally to make the shortlist of 5 and particularly with my Assistant Fee Earner Matthew and long-term serious injury colleague Phil in the category was very flattering.

To be the first recipient of the Jonathan Bamforth Award for Great Service is really very special. Jonathan has been a mentor to me over the 20 years that I knew and worked with. He has been fundamental in shaping my career. He was unwavering in his dedication to his clients and to be considered worthy of award to commemorate him is a huge honour for me, both personally and professionally.”

Team of the Year Award – Proving that there’s no ‘I’ in ‘team’

Winner: IT Service Desk (Alex Lister, Jordan Bracken, and Hajra Azhar)

Minster Law’s IT Service Desk continues to grow from strength to strength. With our ever-evolving business and strategy, it is important that we continue to adapt and develop new ways of working.  This team has demonstrated time and time again that it can flex to meet the ever-changing needs of our business. Always on hand to help our colleagues, those in the IT Service Desk team are on the frontline of keeping Minster Law running. Quite simply, they are some of our businesses most unsung heroes.

James Balderstone, manager of our IT Service Desk, said: “It was a shock to win the award, as normally the IT Service desk work in the background and don’t get much recognition in the greater business. We’re also normally the ones that get complained to and take the flak for any issues that occur! So it’s nice to have some positive feedback and know how we’re appreciated by our colleagues.

I’m also very proud of the team, Alex, Jordan, and Hajra who have worked really hard to keep our colleagues working and happy.

It was great to be recognised by the wider business and have the work our excellent Service Desk Analysts do appreciated, but we aren’t a team in isolation – we are massively supported by the rest of the IT & Change department who help us get our colleagues back working whenever issues occur and help us provide the service and support Minster Law deserves.”

CEO Choice Award

Winner: Amy Beaumont, Team Leader

Time with Minster Law: 4.5 years

Amy has continually achieved over the past 12 months. She generates an infectious energy to encourage others to work together more effectively and is a shining example of encouraging people to do and be their best. This year, Amy has been focused on developing the capability of many of our colleagues whilst at the same time leading a trading team delivering excellent service and performance.

Amy is quite simply a brilliant young leader in our business who exudes positive energy and passion for the wellbeing and development of their colleagues. She is a true credit to Minster Law and a great example to others of how to engage our colleagues with a shared purpose. With nominations across all our categories, Amy was a clear CEO choice.

Amy said: “It was incredible to win! So unexpected. I feel both honoured and proud to have won the award that I did. I always try to leave the workday better than I found it but to be recognised by both my peers and senior figures in the business is a feeling like no other.”