UCFB academic joins panel for 2025 Wigan Business Awards

UCFB is delighted to have one of our academics once again selected as a judge at an upcoming regional award in the North West.

Ian Tomlinson, course leader at UCFB Manchester for BA (Hons) Sports Management, has been confirmed as an independent judge for the Wigan Business Awards for 2025.

Ian joins a distinguished panel of over 70 judges from across the UK, and returns to the panel after acting as a panel member for last year’s ceremony.

Shortlisting has taken place by an independent panel throughout the summer, with finalists being announced in August ahead of the awards on Friday November 9 at The Edge, Wigan.

The Wigan Business Awards returns for the second year after a four-year hiatus, organised by Atherton-based events business owners of Launch Events North West, Nichola Howard and Jo Leigh. 

The pair launched the event with the blessing of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce: the original organisers who announced their Wigan Business Awards would not be returning after the pandemic, and would instead be absorbed by the Greater Manchester Chamber Excellence Awards.

Ian said: “It is an absolute honour to be judging these awards. As a consultant/mentor and an academic, I have witnessed for myself the power of surrounding yourself with a network of decent businesspeople who want to lift each other up. 

“If it is anything like last year it will be a tough process, but I’m looking forward to listening to the ventures and celebrating the achievements of the incredible businesspeople.”

Nichola Howard, awards organiser, said: “We are committed to ensuring the awards are independently and objectively judged by people who have ‘been there and done it themselves’ – so to have [name] join our esteemed panel is fantastic.

“As organisers, we won’t be involved in deciding who the winners are – we can’t wait to see who the judges announce and to celebrate with the finalists on the night!”

For more information and to buy your tickets, visit: https://wiganbusinessawards.co.uk/

UCFB has a number of business-related degree courses, all tailored to the football and wider sports industry. Find out more about each of them, available at both UCFB Manchester and UCFB Wembley.

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