Looking back
It hardly seems a year ago that Pru Craig originally from the Copthorne Tara was being crowned winner of 2002. Pru went on to represent the UK in Berlin for the chance to win the David Campbell Trophy at the International AICR Receptionist of the Year Awards. The competition from the other candidates is always tough at this level and Singapore managed to hold onto the title for another year running. Pru Craig has now moved on to become Reception Manager at the newly opened "The Grove" in Herfordshire - it just shows you what can happen once you have been part of this coveted competition.

Competition 2003
This year the support for this competition was undiminished with 21 candidates being entered from a range of different properties within the capital and outside.

The First Stage interviews with the board of judges from the AICR Committee were held with thanks at the Savoy Hotel on Tuesday 18th and Wednesday 19th December. 21 very smart and able candidates arrived for the two evenings of judging and I can tell you it was not an easy decision to come down the final few. The quality and ability of candidates really shows how seriously we take training and customer service within our industry that is unquestionably much more superior to any other service sector.

Due to the high calibre of the candidates and the fact that two were scored with exactly the same marks the decision to put forward 7 candidates was an overall decision by the board of judges.

Congratulations to all candidates who were entered into the competition but the candidates who went through to the represent their hotel at the finals were:

Richard Turnbull	Claridge's
Alexander Dal	Sheraton Park Tower
Isabella Moroni	Four Season's Canary Wharf
Michael O'Connor	The Ritz
Eleanor Cadman	The Landmark London
Martino Del Buono	The Savoy
Florian Zila	The Lanesborough

The announcements of the 7 finalists were held over an afternoon tea at the Landmark London. Many thanks to the team at the Landmark and also, to Berkeley Scott who kindly sponsored this exciting part of the competition.

The day of reckoning came round very quickly after the first stage interviews and this year the Royal Lancaster Hotel were very kind to support us with hosting the judging and the main awards. The Savoy Educational Trust kindly sponsoring this annual event again this year.

The 7 candidates were put through a tough selection of specifically designed questions and a role play that aimed to test how each individual handled situations under pressure as well as testing them on their customer service handling skills.

Judges that very kindly gave up their expertise and time again were as follows:

Julia Sibley	Chief Executive, Savoy Educational Trust
Graeme Wallis	General Manager, The Lansdowne Hotel, Eastbourne
Susan Craig	Former Executive House Manager, The Royal Lancaster
Joanna Cuss	Client Support Manager, Berkeley Scott
Pru Craig	Winner of the AICR UK Receptionist of the Year 2003

All the judges commented on how good each of the finalists were but one clear winner came out from the day held in the comfort of the Royal Lancaster Hotel.

The decisions made the cocktail award ceremony held in the Park Room named coincidently because of the fantastic view it holds over the north side of Hyde Park got under way with good support from many of the AICR members coming along to hear the results.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Andrew Batchelor and all his team for not only welcoming all the members at the start of the cocktail party but also in ensuring that all the arrangements throughout the day went through seamlessly. All the staff in the hotel were very well briefed and more than happy to be of assistance.

So as not to keep you waiting any longer the winner, runner up and second runner up of the AICR UK Receptionist of the Year Awards 2003 in reverse order are as follows:

Second Runner up	Richard Turnbull	Claridge's
Runner up	Isabella Moroni	Four Seasons Canary Wharf
Winner 2004	Martino Del Buono	The Savoy, London

Congratulations go to Martino and Knut Wylde from the Savoy.

Martino will now go through to represent the UK at the 2003 International AICR Receptionist of the Year Awards which are being held between the 8th and 13th January 2004 in Paris.

This year this exciting international competition will also be held on the 40th Anniversary of the AICR which is befitting as the AICR was also created in Paris 40 years ago.

Finally thank you to everyone who has helped and supported what has certainly become a very recognisable competition.