The Giftware Association (GA) is excited to launch the Gift of the Year 2025 Awards: a prestigious platform designed to get new products in front of UK’s leading gift buyers. With more than 100 retailers and industry experts on the judging panel, taking part in the Awards offers a huge amount of exposure for brands.
“The diversity of our judging panel reflects the diverse range of products that enter the Gift of the Year competition each year. The judges are not only experts in the giftware industry but also passionate buyers who are constantly on the lookout for the next bestselling product”
GA said: “The diversity of our judging panel reflects the diverse range of products that enter the Gift of the Year competition each year. The judges are not only experts in the giftware industry but also passionate buyers who are constantly on the lookout for the next bestselling product. They represent a wide variety of sectors, ensuring that every entrant gets the opportunity to shine in front of a broad audience of key decision-makers.”
GA PR and marketing manager Chris Workman added: “We believe that bringing retailers together with the latest products is one of the most rewarding aspects of this competition. Every judge brings prestige and credibility to the awards, and we are proud to have such a remarkable lineup of professionals involved this year.”
The 2025 judges are:
- Louise Burton, Director, Country Clutter
- Nicola Scarff, Director, Noah Home and Gifts
- Kate Grindal, Retail Manager, Cadw
- Sarah Crees, Gift & Christmas Buyer, Garsons
- Olivia Reilly, Owner, Little Boat Gifts
- Liz Attenborough, Director, Magpie’s Nest
- Iain Macaulay, Owner / Buyer, Events of Stornoway
- Mhairi Holland, Buying Consultant, Mhairi Holland Consulting
- Richard Barker, Director, Dorset Retail
- Puneet Wadhwani, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Bells Distribution
- Clare and Hannah Bishop, Owners, Cornucopia Worcester
- Jon May, Co-Founder, mooch
- Chris Taday, Director, Licensing Link Europe
- Rachel Owen, Director, The Celtic Company
- Cathy Frost, Owner, Loveone
- Jo McBeath, Owner, Chirpy
- Emma Window, Owner of Lazy Duck Interiors, Lazy Duck Interiors
- Anna Bryant, Head Buyer, Ransoms Garden Centre
- Rebecca Randles, Owner, Goostrey Home & Leisure
- Simon Wallwork, Chief Executive Office, Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust
- Michelle Poultney, Owner, Pursenalities
- Lisa Robinson, PR Consultant, LR-PR
- Hannah Oxley, Head of Retail & E-commerce, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
- Laura Farnell, Director, Home Sweet Home (SW)
- Rita Rooney, Retail Manager, The National Archives
- Susan miller, Owner, Joyce’s with Best Wishes
- Ami Rabheru, Consultant, Retail Huddle
- Bryony Taylor-Edwards, Head of Interior, Fashion & Gift Buying, Yarnton Home & Garden
- David Lorimer, Director, Brocante
- Andy Meehan, VP Business Development, Designer Greetings
- Claire Leigh, Trade Marketing Manager, Bira
- Lucy Benham, Global Sourcing Manager – Home Categories John Lewis
- Jo Williams, Owner/Director, Joco Interiors
- Jenna Barlow, Director & Buyer, Nifty Gifts
- Alexandra Becket, Owner, Ivy and Rose Gifts
- Hilary Power, Sales agent, Power Agencies
- Tracey Bearton Features Editor/Editor, Max Publishing, Progressive Greetings, Stationery Matters
- Andrea Pinder, Director, Presentation Cards & Gifts, Barrowford
- Lindsey Scott-Walker, Owner, Feather Robins
- Stephen Spencer, Ambience Director, Stephen Spencer + Associates
- Charlotte King, Assistant Manager, Gifts from Handpicked
- Elizabeth Homewood, Owner, Ella’s Emporium
- Emma Paisey Owner, Daisy Park
- Annie Gould, Director, Objectables
- Emma Gittins, Head of Buying and Product Development, Manchester Museum and the Whitworth
- Hannah Bartlett, Co-Founder, Jolly Festive
- Claire Hembrough, Business Owner, Strawberry Blue
- Samantha Gibbs, Director, Nest
- Ian Downes, Director, Start Licensing Limited
- Chris beards, Director, Mantons Cards
- Catherine Erdly, Founder, Resilient Retail
- Karen King, Director, Cranbornes
- Adam bass, Director, Golden Goose
- Arlene wheeler, Senior Retail Buyer, Utility Retail
- Liz Wellstead, Co-director, Rock Paper Scissors
- Richard Barker, Director, Dorset Retail
- Maggie Thornton, Owner, Alligator Pear
- Katrina Raill, Director, Etcetera
- Alice Standish, Buyer/Manager, Bumbles Ashtead
- Emma Hunt, Online Customer Support and Content Creator, Gifts from Handpicked
- Sarah Halsall, Owner, Hand Picked by Henrietta
- Dale Boreham, Head of Card Design UK, Moonpig
- Andrea Pinder, Director, Presentation Cards & Gifts
- Penny Shaw, Managing Director, Cardgains
- Priya Aurora-Crowe, Buyer, Lark London
- Therese Oertenblad, Founder, Small Business Collaborative
- John Barratt Reid, Director, Card Centre, Felixstowe
- Georgina Black, Owner Operator, Pretty Shiny Shop
- Nichola Smith, Buyer/Manager, Bottoms Mill Shop
- Laura Matheson, Buyer, St Peters Garden Centre
- Melinda Cooper, Owner, Thinking of You
- Sally Wilde, Owner, Planet Sal
- Lorna Standing, Retail Manager and Buyer, Hampshire Cultural Trust
- Michael Apter, Managing Director, Paper Tiger
- Sara Allbright, Director, Retail100 Consulting
- Caroline Ranwell, Director/Buyer, Hugs & Kisses
- Nicola Snell, Founder, Press Loft
- Cilena Easton, Director, Artichoke Tynemouth
- Alice Cripps, Founder and Creative Director, Posh Totty Designs
- Nicola Hibon Jackson, Founder, The Voewood
- Dani Hall, Managing Director, Academically Gifted
- Helena Stopher CEO, Products Of Change
- Laura Cooper, Owner, Handmade Design
- Kathryn Greatorex, Directions, Gifts of Wales
- Samantha Buck, Senior Buyer, Ragdale Hall
- Laura Farnell, Director, Home Sweet Home (SW)
- Joanna Fianu, Membership Co-ordinator, BAFTS Fair Trade Network UK
- Carla Ringer, Buyer, Blue Diamond
- Cesca Haskins, Owner, Attico Group
- Anna Balan, Buying and ECommerce Manager, The National Gallery
- Beth Kirwin, Buying Assistant, National Portrait Gallery
- Heidi Schramli, Buyer, Detail Retail Ltd
- Anton Pearson, Garden Centre Manager, Pennells Lincoln
View more details of the judges at https://www.giftoftheyear.co.uk/judging/meet-the-judges.
Participating in the Gift of the Year 2025 Awards is a chance to gain invaluable exposure in front of top retailers; have your products seen by influential buyers eager to discover new, exciting products; and be part of an industry-renowned event that celebrates innovation, creativity, and excellence in giftware.
For more information, email awards@ga-uk.org or chris.workman@ga-uk.org
https://www.giftoftheyear.co.uk
