Commenting on his appointment, Mr Toft said: “Award schemes in our marketplace are so very important as they encourage retailers to reach for the highest standards of local retailing. But they also reveal the educational practicalities of how to achieve those standards – it’s not simply theory published by people in ivory towers but proven methods implemented by enterprising and creative independent newsagents.”
NFRN Head of Marketing Graeme Collins said: “Alan is highly respected in the industry so we are delighted to have secured his services as chairman of the judging panel.”
Now into their fifth year, the NFRN Awards recognise and reward innovation, professionalism and creativity throughout the supply chain from news delivery through to community retailing and magazine and newspaper publishing.
Altogether there are 16 awards which will be presented at a Gala dinner on October 22 at the Riverbank Plaza Hotel in London, attended by suppliers, publishers, wholesalers and NFRN members.
Booker is the major sponsor of the NFRN Awards this year. Other sponsors include the Daily Mail, News International, Dawson News, Newtrade Publishing, NFRN Mutual, Imperial Tobacco, Manchester Evening News, Npower Business, HSBC, NFRN Commercial, Payzone and Wrigley.
Closing date for entries is September 1st and forms can be obtained from the NFRN Helpline (0845 601 5818) or can be downloaded from the NFRN’s website (www.nfrnonline.com).
The sixteen awards are:
• News Deliverer of the Year
• News Deliverer Merit Awards x 2
• Independent Newspaper Retailer of the Year
• Independent Magazine Retailer of the Year
• NFRN Member of the Year
• Community Independent Retailer of the Year
• National Newspaper of the Year
• Regional Newspaper of the Year
• Homelink Delivered News Retailer of the Year
• Member’s Employee of the Year
• Special Services to the Industry Award
• Fellowship of the NFRN Award
• Magazine Publisher of the Year
• Supplier Excellence of the Year
• News Wholesaler of the Year
