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Laura McCulloch from the Grammar School has won the 2016 Institute of Directors (IoD) Guernsey Management Shadowing Awards.
The awards, sponsored by KPMG Channel Islands Ltd, were held on 13th October, at KPMG’s offices which were transformed into an Oscars-themed venue for the evening. Laura was one of ten finalists shortlisted from over 50 students who completed the 2016 programme.
Laura shadowed Darryl Corbin and his team in Health and Social Care at Princess Elizabeth Hospital who are responsible for housekeeping, catering and laundry services which keeps the hospital running. Her winning presentation brought to life her shadowing experience and what she had learnt about management and leadership with Mr Corbin and his team during the summer. At the end of her placement she had changed her view on the text book definitions of management to her own view that “A manager is a person who knows how to juggle.” Her insights included the observations that a successful manager succeeds in not just the big things but in the small gestures such as having an open door, showing interest in people, allowing others to put their point across and giving praise to the team when due.
Each presentation was judged against set criteria in both content and presentation skills by the IoD Management Shadowing panel comprising Brooke Kenyon, Account Director at Orchard PR; Rob Jones, IoD Guernsey committee member, Alex Rodger, chairman of Collas Crill; and Linda Johnson of KPMG in the Channel Islands.
The scheme, sponsored by KPMG in the Channel Islands in both Guernsey and Jersey, provides students with the opportunity to gain key managerial skills and business insight by shadowing managers from a wide range of local organisations. They also receive professional training in presentation skills which provides invaluable groundwork for their future careers and personal development.
The other shortlisted candidates and the companies they shadowed were:
Laura was presented with a cheque for £200 and the Martyn Mann trophy. (pictured) The trophy is named to mark the contribution Martyn, a previous IoD committee member, made over several years in developing and organising the Management Shadow scheme and awards.
Reflecting on her win Laura said “I was really pleased to win this award which came as a big surprise as I thought everyone presented really well. I thoroughly enjoyed my three day placement with Darryl and his team and I learnt about some of the important skills needed to be a manager. If there are any Year 12 students thinking of taking part this year I would highly recommend it to them, as it is an invaluable learning experience.
Jackie Toms, Deputy Housekeeping Manager, who was representing Darryl Corbin Laura’s Shadow Manager on the evening said “we are absolutely chuffed to bits. Laura was so open to learning and taking everything in during her 3 days with us and it was a pleasure to have her around. She did so well tonight and the whole team will be thrilled to learn of her win. She is going to come back in and make her presentation again to us.”
Presenting certificates to every student who completed the programme, Neale Jehan, KPMG Channel Islands Limited Managing Director, congratulated all the students. Neale said “KPMG in the Channel Islands is delighted to continue our sponsorship of the programme. By participating, each of the students is learning valuable skills and setting themselves apart from the crowd. This experience will be invaluable in their future careers.”
Students were inspired by guest speakers Warren Mauger and Phil Smith from This is Epic who spoke on their 7 Steps to Epicness and their mantra “Never Give Up”.
Linda Johnson, IoD Guernsey Branch chair and a judge on the evening, said “the quality of the presentations tonight has been of an exceptionally high standard and it is fantastic to see the insights the students have gleaned during their three day shadowing experience. Congratulations to all the students who have taken part and in particular to Laura on her excellent winning presentation. The scheme brings invaluable benefits to both the students and the managers that they shadow, and we thank all the schools and businesses who participated and continue to support the IoD’s Management Shadowing Scheme. Sincere thanks also to Jo Watts, IoD Committee member and host for the evening, Tony Brassell, and the judges and sponsors that put so much into making the scheme so successful”.
The IoD in Guernsey has been running the scheme annually for a number of years and welcomes the participation of companies and students who wish to gain valuable work experience. If you would like to know more about the IoD management shadowing scheme please contact IoD branch officer, Tony Brassell: branchofficer@iod.gg
