Each year, our dedicated AC Awards event celebrates the exceptional achievements of our learners and employers, recognising those who go above and beyond in their apprenticeship journey. This year was no different!
We were once again blown away by the number of incredible nominations and are so proud of the outstanding accomplishments across all categories.
However, for 2025, we wanted to make the celebrations even more special. Instead of a single awards event, we took the AC Awards on the road! Our AC representatives personally visited each winner to celebrate their achievements bringing the recognition directly to them and extending our annual celebration.
Join us as we highlight the remarkable learners and employers who have demonstrated excellence, innovation and dedication to apprenticeships. Read on to find out who has taken home this year’s awards…
Learner award winners
Sadie Schimmefennig – Goodman Masson
Key achievement
Sadie has excelled in her apprenticeship, demonstrating exceptional commitment and drive. She quickly adapted to the world of recruitment and tripled her quarterly target by the end of her first year! Not only is she the fastest apprentice at Goodman Masson to earn a promotion to consultant, but she is also currently mentoring a fellow apprentice and sharing her knowledge and experience to support their development. Her dedication to continuous learning and excellence has set her apart and left a lasting impact on her team.
Georgia Ahern – James Wigg Practice
Key achievement
Georgia has consistently gone above and beyond in her role, demonstrating exceptional commitment. Her positive attitude, reliability and collaborative spirit have made her an invaluable and well regarded member of the team at James Wigg Practice.
Sandra Agyepong – Lexington
Key achievement
Sandra has shown incredible perseverance and commitment, tackling the challenge of completing Level 2 in both maths and English at the same time. Excelling in her speaking assessments and refining her writing skills, she went above and beyond, completing mock exams even during her annual leave! Her determination and work ethic make her a well-deserved recipient of this award.
Felice Monk-Wells – Goldhanger Community Nursery
Key achievement
Felice’s dedication throughout her course has been exceptional! Consistently meeting deadlines, attending fortnightly sessions, and completing rigorous mock exams, she ensured she was fully prepared. Her keen interest in the logic behind maths helped her achieve outstanding total marks!
Matthew Penfold – Goodman Masson
Key achievement
Since joining Goodman Masson, Matthew made an impressive 35 placements within his first 9 months. Predominantly supporting recruitment for their consulting function, he has sourced top talent for hard-to-fill positions, a true testament to his hard work and dedication.
Susan Goodbrand – Jack In The Box Nursery
Key achievement
Susan has consistently gone above and beyond in her role as nursery manager! Not only has she successfully transitioned into her new position, but she has also balanced her responsibilities as a parent and student, all while managing an Ofsted inspection. The feedback from Ofsted highlighted Susan’s exceptional leadership, which is a truly remarkable achievement!
Employer award winners
Key achievement
Hales Group has consistently gone above and beyond to support their apprentices, offering tailored training and personalised development opportunities. Their commitment to providing flexible learning and hands-on guidance has ensured every apprentice feels supported and set up for success.
Key achievement
Rydan Mechanical Services Ltd Rydan Mechanical Services Ltd are dedicated to ensuring apprentices thrive both personally and professionally. Their commitment to tailored training helps apprentices achieve their individual goals while seamlessly integrating learning into the workplace. Apprentices feel valued, supported and encouraged to grow through additional qualifications like Fire Marshall and Mental Health First Aid.
Key achievement
HCRG has fully embraced the apprenticeship programme, providing tailored training that supports each apprentice’s strengths and career goals. By offering hands-on experience across all divisions, apprentices gain valuable insights and the flexibility to shape their own career paths. With strong leadership and dedicated support, HCRG have empowered apprentices to grow and succeed.
Key achievement
Funshine (Eden Park) have provided their apprentices with exceptional support, creating a growth-driven environment where they can thrive. Through tailored training, one-on-one mentoring and a focus on both academic and personal development, Funshine has empowered apprentices to overcome challenges and excel.
Gratitude award winners
Bethan Cotter – CMSPI
Key achievement
Since completing her apprenticeship in 2021, Bethan has made remarkable career progress, advancing through multiple roles to her current position as Global Events Manager. Her dedication to continuous learning, including additional qualifications and her commitment to community volunteering make her an inspiring recipient of this award.
Key achievement
Konica Minolta continues to support their apprentices even after they complete their courses. Through their early careers apprenticeship programme, they allow apprentices to explore all departments, gaining valuable skills across different areas of the business. This comprehensive approach ensures that apprentices can identify where their strengths and passions lie, ultimately helping them find the best fit within the company.
Key achievement
Our partnership with Pass Functional Skills has not only brought significant value to all stakeholders but also significantly enhanced our business operations. Their commitment to providing innovative and effective functional skills solutions has played a crucial role in the success of our learners.
Thank you to everyone who supported the AC Awards 2025 and congratulations to all our winners and shortlisted nominees for their incredible achievements and dedication to apprenticeships.
We look forward to welcoming more people to our event next year! Subscribe to our blog to receive news and updates as soon as our next nomination window opens.
