The event – now in its fifth year – is to be held at Le Manoir de Rooster in Trinity, which is the home of potato exporters Albert Bartlett.
A total of 13 awards will be handed out with three shortlisted finalists, who were selected following a public vote, in each category. For the first time, this year’s awards include the category of Diversity and Inclusion Champion, which proved to be one of the most popular classes, attracting a high number of nominations.
Speaking at yesterday’s judging, JEP editor Andy Sibcy said: ‘We are celebrating Pride’s fifth birthday this year and I am pleased to say that the response has once again been overwhelming. We received 252 nominations across the 13 categories for 139 nominees. Those very special people inspired more than 27,000 people to vote and enable us to be here today to select winners from the various shortlists made up of the three people or groups who secured the most public votes in each category.
‘Yours is a difficult, but important and, I hope, pleasurable job today. We are here to find community heroes who go to extraordinary lengths to help others and to promote positive community action – to lead by example and to inspire.’
This year’s event will be hosted by former England international footballer Graeme Le Saux and Jersey-born soprano Georgi Mottram. A former player for Chelsea and Southampton and Premier League winner with Blackburn, Mr Le Saux, who is from the Island, has hosted the Pride of Jersey Awards since the event’s inception in 2015.
Ms Mottram, who currently lives in London, performs around the world both as a soloist and with her classical crossover group Ida Girls London. The Bailiff, Sir William Bailhache, and Chief Minister John Le Fondré are due to attend the ceremony.
