Bacta unveils the list of winners of its inaugural industry awards

Bacta announced Monday the winners of its inaugural awards celebrating the best of the amusement machine and entertainment industry. Presented by senior figures from across the industry, the awards were unveiled at Bacta’s parliamentary reception on Wednesday, November 23. 

The recognitions go to those who have made "a unique impact" in the industry during the past 12 months, the UK trade association noted, with categories including High Street Hero, Seaside Saviour, Supply Chain Champion and Rising Star. 

The judges of the awards included Emma Lewell-Buck MP, and the leaders of the Betting and Gaming Council, Brigid Simmonds OBE, UK Hospitality and Kate Nicholls OBE. 

Supply Chain Champion was Andy Evans, Warehouse and Distribution Centre Manage for Inspired. He is responsible for running the Distribution Centre in the North-West that ensures that all of the Family Entertainment Centres, Bowling alleys and Entertainment outlets that Inspired operates or have equipment in are maintained with prizes, consumables, signage, cleaning equipment and PPE. 

The Seaside Saviour recognition was granted to Rae McClymont, Resorts Arcade Manager for McClymont. She runs the arcade offering at Haven Craig Tara holiday park on the Ayr coast. 

“She is renowned for the passion and enthusiasm that she demonstrates constantly to keep her team motivated and to ensure that customers have an exceptional experience. For Rae, operating the arcade is a vocation more than a job,” Bacta said. 

Ben Millington, who works as Venue Manager for Admiral, was recognized as High Street Hero. While he was working in Admiral's Derby venue, a customer playing a machine collapsed unconscious to the floor. 

Millington sprang into action, using skills learnt from emergency response training he had recently had at work, and with telephone support from the emergency services, he calmly applied CPR while his colleague rushed from the venue to access an off-site defibrillator.

Alex Jones, Business Development Coordinator at Blueprint, got the Jimmy Thomas Rising Star Award, as he was described as “a model professional and demonstrates this in his day-to-day interactions within the BPO office environment.”

Bacta CEO John White stated: "We are delighted to unveil the winners of our inaugural industry awards. Each prize winner has shown their dedication to our industry and exemplify a can-do attitude and spirit which embodies the values of Bacta."