Charity Retail Awards 2023
The Charity Retail Awards ceremony was held on the evening of Wednesday 28 June at Harrogate Convention Centre. Winners of the WOW! Factor Awards were announced on Thursday 29 June. Thank you to everyone involved – nominees, nominators and their team members, judges and winners. It was a truly inspirational occasion.
If you have any questions about the Awards please contact Kelly Marshall at kelly@charityretail.org.uk.
Huge thanks to our sponsors
1st Waste Management Consultants 
The WOW! Factor Awards sponsored by East London Textiles 
Awards categories
| Most valuable item sold |
| Most unusual item donated |
| Young volunteer of the year |
| Volunteer of the year |
| Retail employee of the year |
| Shop of the year |
| Leadership |
| Equity, diversity and inclusion |
| Most supportive chief executive |
| Outstanding charity retailer |
| Environmental and sustainability |
| Technology |
| Campaign of the year |
| Supplier of the year |
| The WOW! Factor Awards, sponsored by East London Textiles |
Huge thanks to our judges
| Dan O’Driscoll, Executive Coach and Consultant, Engagement Consultancy |
| Emma Thomas-Hancock, Director of Delivery, Volunteering Matters |
| Samantha Ward, Director of Services/Deputy CEO, Royal Voluntary Service |
| Denise Hayward, CEO, Volunteer Now |
| Sue Farrow, Business mentor and former Vice President for Retail at Burberry |
| Louise McGill, Senior Partnerships Manager, WorkNest |
| Phil Prentice, Chief Officer, Scotland’s Towns Partnership |
| Omer Soker, Chief Executive, Charitable Recycling Australia |
| Craig Anderson, Chief Executive, Reuse Network |
| Robin Osterley, Chief Executive, Charity Retail Association |
| Debra Allcock-Tyler, Chief Executive, Directory of Social Change |
| Fiona Condron, Charities Partner, BDO |
| Angela Marcelle, Head of Retail, Octavia |
| James Watson O’Neill, Chief Executive, Sign Health |
| Caron Bradshaw, Chief Executive, Charity Finance Group |
| Toby Porter, Chief Executive, Hospice UK |
| Dr Esther Pugh, Senior Lecturer in Fashion Business, Leeds Beckett University |
| Estelle Bilson, Author and Influencer |
| Alison Heppenstall, Executive Director, Climate Action for Associations |
| Carolyn Mair, Consultant in the psychology of fashion |
| Carole Simpson, Retail Consultant |
| Becca Caddy, Journalist and Author |
| Julia Hughes, Director, Hooli |
Here’s what some of our previous winners had to say about winning a Charity Retail Award…
“We were so happy to be invited to the Charity Retail Awards as finalists, but knew we faced some very stiff competition in our category from some amazing charities. To be announced the winner was a dream come true and a huge compliment for us to be recognised by the Charity Retail Association. We loved meeting many other talented and passionate people in the sector, and sharing ideas and advice.
“We are so proud of The Vintage Advantage, it’s a phenomenal place that always has a happy, welcoming atmosphere, fantastic stock and the best customer service provided by our hard-working students, volunteers and staff. Then, there’s the added bonus that it raises much needed funds for Derwen Charity; it’s a real success story.
“Winning the Innovation award* in the Charity Retail Awards has helped to further promote our charity and business and raise our profile locally and nationally. It is also a wonderful ‘thank you’ recognising the efforts of our volunteers, staff and supporters.”
Sharon Jones, Commercial Supervisor, Derwen College Charity – Innovation award winner 2022
*The Innovation award was a category in 2022, which is now covered under other categories such as Technology, and Environmental and Sustainability.
“I was extremely proud to be recognised by the CRA for leadership. The CRA does so much good for our sector and to have the award from them was fantastic recognition for all the team at Acorns led by myself. For most charities the CRA awards are the pinnacle – they are our Oscars!”
Gary Pettit, Retail Director, Acorns Children’s Hospice – Leadership award winner 2022
“It was an incredible experience to be nominated by my colleagues and win Volunteer of the year 2022. I’ve loved my 17 years of volunteering with the BHF at the Largs shop, and I’d encourage anyone thinking about volunteering to give it a go.”
Aileen Pyper, British Heart Foundation – Volunteer of the year 2022