College honours Business community in its ‘City Achievers’ awards

In a memorable year which included being praised as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted and success rates confirming it as one of the top 6% highest achieving Further Education colleges in the country, City College Brighton and Hove held its City Achievers 2011 student awards ceremony at its Main Hall in Pelham Street, Brighton on Thursday 3rd November.

From a cohort of around 12,000 students, the College chose forty-one winners in areas as diverse as Visual Arts, Business, Hairdressing, Carpentry, Sports and Catering.

The achievement of members of Brighton & Hove’s business community was also recognised in two awards with the presentation of a 'Golden Alumni' award to former Art Foundation student and renowned local designer/tailor Gresham Blake and an 'Employers Contribution' award from the College’s City Business Skills department for Uden Lettings estate agency to celebrate successful training collaborations with local businesses.

Gresham Blake said: ’I was a bit of a wrong ‘un before I came here and had no direction. It really did turn my life around and I’m very thankful for my time here.’

James Mortimer, Partner in Uden Lettings said: ‘It was really lovely to get this recognition for the work we’ve done supporting our Business Administration apprentices and their assessor from City College. The College has been so helpful in guiding us through the whole apprenticeship process and their support has been phenomenal.’

The younger generation of Business talent was recognised with awards in both the ‘Business’ and ‘Professional Business’ categories. Jordan Brake was chosen as the Business ‘City Achiever’ with his tutor Lucy Elliott commenting that: “Jordan has passion and enthusiasm for his studies and was an excellent asset to the class. He’s highly motivated, contributes well, and will often spend time helping his classmates. He had 100% attendance and has fully involved himself in college life, including participating in the department’s talent show and the City College Business Club. He’s a very determined person and will achieve anything he sets his mind too.”

Professional Business City Achiever Max Carter won the award for his excellent achievement over the past two years, studying accountancy part time while working full time. Having never worked in accounting before, he was recently recruited to work for a national practice, Blue Spire, as an Accounts Assistant. His employers are now sponsoring him to attend the Level 4 AAT course. His tutor Judith Coates described Max as “a delight to have in the classroom.”

Reflecting on the event, Phil Frier concluded: “While our Ofsted results and success rates are fantastic for the reputation of the College, our City Achievers night brings the human side of what we do sharply into focus, showing that what we do here genuinely transforms lives. Aside from being an event that is uplifting for all the students and their families, it also reminds everyone connected with the College why it’s so vital for us to keep providing an outstanding learning experience for our students.”

City College has two Open Evenings in November on Tuesday 22nd (Central Campus) and Thursday 24th November (City College East) from 5.30pm to 9pm.

For course information, contact 01273 667759 or email info@ccb.ac.uk

For media enquiries, please call Brian Bell, Marketing Communications Officer, on 01273 667788 Ext. 488 or email bb1@ccb.ac.uk

Photo: Gresham Blake with Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex Peter Field (left) and City College Principal Phil Frier (right)