Lynx Purchasing has recognised the exceptional hard work and commitment of the leading industry suppliers it works with, with awards for those who have excelled over the past year announced at the third annual Supplier Performance Evaluation and Recognition Awards – or SPEAR Awards.

Held during the annual Lynx Purchasing Supplier Conference, this year’s awards ceremony had an Indiana Jones theme. This not only marked the release of the latest instalment of the popular film series, but also celebrated the ingenuity of the range of leading industry suppliers Lynx works with, who are adept at helping the buying specialist’s hospitality and foodservice customers out of some very tricky situations.

Lynx Purchasing managing director Rachel Dobson said: “All our suppliers are very important not only to us, but also to the customers we work with. In a challenging market where everyone is working harder than ever, it’s important to recognise those that go the extra mile to support the hard-pressed hospitality sector. We are Targeting Supplier Excellence – and rewarding it.”

With the nominations and winners voted for by the Lynx Purchasing team, the SPEAR Awards 2023 categories and winners were:

Best Supporting Role

This award is aimed at a supplier who has;

• provided exceptional customer care;
• shown great willingness to help;
• is proactive;
• responds promptly;
• and wants to work with Lynx.

The winner was Delice de France, represented by Caroline Dunbar. As the winner, Caroline is:

• A pleasure to work with;
• Always available;
• Nothing is too much trouble.

Also nominated were:

Olleco: Nick Blackburn

Walton Meats. Julian Pickles

Rising Star 

Awarded to the supplier who has been:

• Very helpful;
• Shown initiative in working better together;
• Focused on growing business;
• Delivered a generally improved performance.

The Winner was Bunzl, represented by Bradley Eames. Bunzl won for its:

• Great working relationship with Lynx;
• Having bought into the Lynx way of working with operators;
• Delivered plenty of leads;
• Been very proactive and willing to help.

Also nominated were:

Dole: Ian Stuart & Vicky Masters

Novati: Craig Milward

Best Newcomer

Recognising the contribution and performance of suppliers who have recently joined the Lynx stable, the award is given to a supplier who:

• Understands the business;
• Has become a valued and trusted supplier;
• Exceeded expectations as a newbie – which is not easy.

The Winner was Sybron, represented by Andy Swanson. The Sybron team has:

• Shown a willingness to help Lynx;
• Bought into the culture;
• Been very flexible and responsive;
• Demonstrated an excellent service culture and product knowledge.

Also nominated were:

Delicious Ideas: Seth Weir

Start Communications: Kerry Mayo

Best Individual Performance

The Best Individual Performance award is for the individual whose work and commitment over the past 12 months has impressed the whole team, as someone who

• Understands Lynx;
• Is enthusiastic;
• Is a pleasure to work with and always available.

The winner was Gill Hardcastle of Brakes. Gill is:

• Proactive with Lynx and customers;
• Knowledgeable at meetings;
• Thoroughly professional ;
• Customers love her – and so do the Lynx team;
• Always exceeds expectations.

Also nominated were:

Unilever: Lauren Crook

Lockhart Catering Equipment: Sharon Shaw

Best Supplier

This final category recognises the top performing supplier of the year, recognising:

• Ability to develop and build relationships;
• Very proactive;
• Understanding of the Lynx culture;
• Great sales growth and retention.

The winner was Nisbets, represented by Jill Carter

• Nisbets is the 2023 winner because the company;
• Fully understands Lynx and its approach;
• Is enthusiastic and proactive;
• Diligent with both new and existing business.

Also nominated were:

Brakes: Gill Hardcastle

Direct Seafoods: Shane Harley & Kevin Wyman

The Lynx Suppliers Conference was held this year at the Kettering Park Spa Hotel in Northamptonshire, with the programme also including a trip to an outdoor activity centre where teams competed at hovercrafting, quad biking, clay pigeon shooting, and axe throwing!

Rachel Dobson added: “Everyone had a great day and the team activities were more exciting than ever. Huge congratulations to our SPEAR Awards winners and nominees, who can be very proud of their achievement.

“All our suppliers work hard on behalf of our hard-pressed hospitality and foodservice customers, so for those who didn’t get an award this year, there’s always 2024.”