Jim Cremin, one of our fantastic judges reveals the Regional Champions of Betting Shop Manager of the Year 2022.
Congratulations to our eight regional champions who have battled it through to next weekend – final judging is on Sunday November 6 at the Racing Post’s offices on London’s South Bank then, the next day on Monday, November 7, the awards ceremony takes place lunchtime at The Carlton Tower Jumeirah in Knightsbridge.
The ‘Great Eight’ are:
Anglia and south-east
Josephine Donoghue Coral, Farnborough
Greater London
James Maloney Star Sports, Mayfair
Ireland
Graham Fitzpatrick Paddy Power, Carlow
Midlands and Wales
Hayley Hallam Coral, Wolverhampton
North and north-east
Melanie Puckrin Ladbrokes, Middlesbrough
North-west and Isle of Man
Steven Haines Betfred, Rainhill
Scotland
David Morley William Hill, Glasgow
South-west and Channel Islands
Karina Begley William Hill, St Helier
On behalf of all the judges as well as Racing Post and SIS, my thanks go to everyone who has taken part and particular commiserations to the other 16 who last week joined us in Doncaster. It was a privilege meeting you all and the fantastic professionalism that has helped the business recover from the ravages of Covid-19 was more than evident. Our task frankly was an impossible one, but after a LONG debate, we somehow managed to settle on the eight names above. They are worthy representatives of the entire betting industry.
Obviously plans for November 6/7 have been disrupted by planned train strikes but hopefully everyone will find a way to get there.
I also hope the new regional champions will take the time to savour their achievement and please try, on the Monday morning of the Awards, to stroll down to Sloane Square. For me, as a Londoner, it is the most magical part of the city. Leave wallets behind though!
Monday will also be the final day in the longest ever Racing Post/SIS Betting Shop Manager of the Year winner’s reign – Paddy Power’s Sandra Gilmartin. Covid-19 had stopped this event in its tracks for two years but she has been a fantastic overall champion and I know loved meeting all the contenders at Doncaster last week.
Well done too to the shop teams of all eight regional winners – and their proud families, On Monday we will salute them.
