Judges trained to find the best in Lancashire

The Be Inspired Business Awards, the BIBAs, has created a tailored package of training to prepare its judges for facing the applicants for the 18 prizes which are up for grabs this year.

Dr Lis Smith, principal at Preston’s College which is sponsoring the awards, said the training was crucial to ensure they were asking the right questions of the applicants to allow them to select the winners.

She will chair the Employer of the Year judging panel which includes the college’s Vice-Principal for Enterprise and Engagement, Carl Speight, Jeff Hays, of recruitment specialists, Hays, and Fylde RFC’s Richard Kernot

Dr Smith said: “Having been involved in the BIBAs for a number of years now, I know that it prepares its judges to superbly for the difficult job of selecting the winners from a superb line-up of applicants.

“Every business and individual which enters these awards has put a huge amount of effort in to completing their applications and we owe them to at least match that in our preparation for the interview stages.

“At Preston’s College, we work in partnership with businesses across Lancashire and beyond to help them deliver the support and training to keep our economy thriving, so we recognise what is involved in being a great employer.

“That stands us in good stead to help the judges to select the right winner for the Employer of the Year category and today’s training session will help prepare us further to do that.”

The prizes will be handed out in September at Blackpool Tower.