Celebrating everyone from grandparents and neighbours to community champions and teachers, the awards’ aim is to mark some of the wonderful day-to-day activities and achievements of Islanders who help make Jersey such a special place to live.

And in order to keep the community at the heart of the awards, Islanders will be asked to nominate potential winners and be involved in the voting and judging, via the newspaper and online.

5. Inspirational Leader of the Year

The award:

THIS award could be a way for people to thank those who take on the tough responsibility of being a leader in life and do it well.

It might be employees wishing to thank a manager who has gone that extra mile for staff to make sure their life at work is as enjoyable as possible. But it could also be someone who has led or inspired a team through a tough time, or perhaps led them on a journey to the top of their field.

A good leader might also be one of the team, always ready to roll their sleeves up and set an example to the rest, or it could be someone who knows how to get the best out of their colleagues.

This award is not restricted to those at the very top, because leaders can be found at every stage of life and every stage of the workforce. Life needs leaders, and the good ones should be celebrated.

The sponsor:

WITHOUT the great leadership it received from the offset, feelunique would not be in the market-dominating position it is in today.

After spotting a gap in the market, founders Aaron Chatterley and Richard Schiessel grew a small Jersey company into Europe’s largest online premium beauty retailer. And after years of growth and success, the company, based in St Peter, is in reflective mood and ready to once again put more focus on its local market.

‘It is now time for us to focus on Jersey, in terms of our retail and in terms of putting something back,’ explained general manager Siobhán McDermott.

WHY THESE AWARDS?

‘Corporate social responsibility is very important to us,’ she said. ‘I am a big believer in putting something back, and I think there is enough for everything to go around.

‘It’s good to help people. It gives people a great feeling of community that they are working towards something.

‘Jersey is a small but very proud community and it is great that the Pride of Jersey Awards recognise people for what they are doing. It creates a feeling of well-being.’

WHY THIS CATEGORY?

‘It goes back to us starting off as a small Jersey company and now being an international beauty company, and that was all down to inspirational leadership. We were founded by two entrepreneurs who were so driven. They came up against barriers but found ways round them. Their theory was to employ people who could do the job better than they could, so they really empowered people in the business and you always felt you were part of something. It was an amazing thing to be part of.

‘That’s why we felt an affinity with this award as, without our leaders, we wouldn’t be where we are today.’

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN THE WINNER?

‘There are different types of leaders for different stages of a business. Leaders have to think about the people they are leading. They could also be at any level, as you need inspiration throughout the company.

‘We will be looking at people who inspire, develop, bring employees with them and enjoy the success.

‘And it is worth remembering that it does not have to be corporate. You could have youth groups, influencing young people, for example.’

• Ambassador of the Year
• Volunteer/Fundraiser of the Year
• Grandparent(s) of the Year
• Community Champion(s) of the Year
• Environmentalist(s) of the Year
• Jersey Angel of the Year
• Teacher of the Year
• Unsung Sporting Hero of the Year
• Customer Service Employee of the Year
• Young Star of the Year
• Neighbour of the Year
• Inspirational Leader of the Year.[/breakout]

We are searching for the Islanders who make our community so special.

There are many things which contribute to make Jersey such a wonderful place to call home, from the fabulous beaches and cliff-path walks to our safe and healthy environment. They all play their part.

But above all, it is the amazing people in our community who are responsible for making this small rock, measuring just nine miles by five, stand out as such a wonderful place to live.

And that is why, as the JEP celebrates its 125th anniversary, we feel it is time to honour Islanders who make a difference, many of whom devote hours every day to make this a better place.

Often the achievements of these community heroes go unrecognised, their efforts beneath the radar of most.

Being part of that community means that the Jersey Evening Post and, more importantly, its readers, are best placed to find and honour these selfless Islanders.

It is our readers who will nominate worthy individuals and it is our readers who will be the judging panel, making the Pride of Jersey Awards unlike any others.

From grandparents and neighbours to community champions and teachers, we want to celebrate all aspects of life in the Island.

Over the course of the next few weeks, we will be featuring each of our 12 categories in detail, speaking to 12 local businesses who have teamed up with us to become our awards’ partners and, most importantly, explaining how people can start voting.

These awards will become an annual celebration of those who bind our community together and we are extremely proud to be in a position, after tewelve-and-a-half decades of serving this Island, to be launching the Pride of Jersey Awards.