The National Bed Federation (NBF) has announced the first line-up of judges for the five retailer categories for the 2023 Bed Industry Awards.
A panel of six of the biggest and brightest names in the furniture and creative industries will decide who will be crowned winners at the NBF Bed Show gala dinner and awards ceremony on Tuesday 26 September at the Telford International Centre.
The retailer awards shine a spotlight on UK and Irish bed retailers of all shapes and sizes that predominantly stock NBF-approved brands to highlight their achievements from the past 12 months.
Facilitating the decision process behind the Small and Large NBF Retail Champion of the Year Awards and the Online Retailer of the Year and National Retailer of the Year Awards is Jessica Alexander, director of special projects at the National Bed Federation. Jessica has worked alongside the NBF for 36 years, with nearly 17 years at the helm and has a breadth of knowledge of the bed industry, with a valuable eye for detail.
Joining Jess is Bernard Eaton, MD of Greenwood Retail, who has over 38 years of B2C experience across various sectors. Bernard has proven expertise in effective retail sales and marketing methodology and is a regular trade magazine columnist and a seasoned judge on the NBF Award panel for six years running, Bernard is no stranger to the awards process.
From the world of publishing is Andrew Kidd, trade press editor of Interiors Monthly. Andrew co-founded Interiors Monthly magazine in 2007, which aims to provide up-to-date information to inspire, inform and improve UK interiors retailing. A veteran judge of the NBF Bed Industry Awards, Andrew has shared his valued expertise and knowledge every year since its inception in 2010 when he presented a lifetime achievement award.
Dan Squires, editor of Big Furniture Group is the final judge of the first four retailer awards. Based in Norfolk, Dan has been a journalist since leaving university in 2009 and has acquired particular expertise within the furnishing industry. Having previously worked for Cabinet Maker, he is currently the editor at the furniture industry publication Big Furniture Group.
Independent marketing experts Richard McMurrough and Phil Bennett return for a second year to judge the new Ad of the Year award. Richard McMurrough – director of strategic and brand consultancy Propaganda – is a seasoned marketing professional with over 30 years of experience in both consumer and B2B marketing. He has worked with a wide range of brands including Clipper Logistics, Seabrook Crisps and Woodlands Home & Garden Group.
Phil Bennett, MD of branding and design consultancy PIP Creative, brings a sharp eye and fresh perspective to the judging process. Phil has over 13 years of experience developing creative brands, strategies, and marketing campaigns for various sectors and clients, including SMEs and multiple campaigns for larger organisations across sports, retail, hospitality and media.
More information on all the 2023 awards – including how to enter for free – and detailed criteria for each category, are available now on the Bed Show website: www.bedshow.co.uk/awards. Deadlines vary depending on the award, starting with Friday 21st July.
