Designed to honour
and celebrate the power of mentorship, the inaugural Fast
Forward 15 Mentoring Awards ceremony was a fitting tribute to individuals and
organisations championing growth, diversity, and leadership development.
On Thursday
24 April, London’s The Mermaid provided the backdrop for the ceremony, with
decor orchestrated by WeImplement and catering by Seasoned. Just Entertainment
added a touch of magic to the evening, with a captivating performance by their
signature mirror man.
Fay Sharpe,
founder of the Fast Forward 15 mentoring programme, opened the evening with a speech
about the programme’s impact over the years and its bright future.
Recognising
excellence
The
highlight of the evening was the presentation of awards across 12 categories,
celebrating exceptional contributions to mentoring and community development.
The winners were:
- Corporate Mentoring Programme of
the Year 2025: IQ-EQ
- Agency Mentoring Programme of
the Year 2025: BCD
- Mentor of the Year 2025: Richard Bridge
- Rising Star Mentee 2025: Ashleigh John
- Diversity & Inclusion
Trailblazer 2025: Carina Filek, Elevate Global
- Ally of the Year 2025: Felicia Asiedu, Cvent
- Event Student Excellence 2025: Annie Hart
- Community & Mentoring Impact
2025: Candice
Kass, Event Apprenticeships
- Mentor & Me 2025: Kathryn Williams & Emma
Broom
- Coaching Champion 2025: Nel Flint
- Community Coaching Initiative
2025: Nadia
Gasper & Lisa Donohue, KERB+
- Fay Sharpe Award for Outstanding
Contribution 2025: Shonali Devereaux
“I couldn’t have been prouder or more delighted to
attend the Fast Forward 15 Mentoring Awards last week,” said Fay Sharpe. “We
work incredibly hard in the events industry, and while we often celebrate our
achievements through the events themselves, these Awards were different. They
recognised the people and organisations who give back—not for profit or
personal gain, but because they believe in investing their time in others.
“This event was conceived and delivered by the
mentees, and they pulled off what became our largest and most glamorous
fundraiser to date. I’m confident this will go from strength to strength,
enabling us to continue the impactful work we do at FF15, including our
exciting new initiative, University Challenge, which supports event
students and the next generation of event professionals.”
Each award
was a testament to the recipient’s dedication to championing talent and
supporting career progression. From diversity initiatives to creating impactful
corporate programmes, the winners demonstrated the power of mentorship to drive
positive change.
A special
highlight: the Fay Sharpe Award
A special moment came with the presentation of the Fay Sharpe
Award for Outstanding Contribution. The award was bestowed upon Shonali
Devereaux for her extraordinary efforts in championing mentorship and community
engagement. Her heartfelt acceptance speech highlighted the transformative role
of mentorship in empowering individuals and enriching the industry.
Check out the full gallery here: https://www.kevinmoran-client-download.co.uk/album/mentoring-awards-2025
