What's it like going to the GDBAs as a finalist?
Read all about Jo Sawkins' (Wings Wellbeing) experience as a 2025 Gatwick Diamond Business Award's Finalist!
"I entered the Gatwick Diamond Business Awards in the Community Contribution category. After having a meeting via Teams with the judges in January, I was hopeful, then one February morning, Keeley from gdb called with good news; I’d made it to the Final!
The big day arrived. The sun was shining and even before we arrived at The Grand, the day felt special. Whether I was about to win or not was by now completely irrelevant; just being in the Finals was a win!
The room was jam packed with 400 Finalists and attendees, all dressed up to the nines and here for an evening of celebration. My table was made up of singles or duos from different businesses, with many of us meeting for the first time, adding to the social atmosphere. The wine flowed, guests mingled, dinner was served, Pink sang (oh, was it really a tribute singer?), magician Ben Hanlin genuinely captivated us and suddenly it was time for the Awards themselves.
Within a few minutes they announced the Finalists for the award for Community Contribution, and for a brief second, a photo of me flashed up on the big screen. Moments later the winner was announced and it wasn’t me! (It was the hugely deserving WOLO Foundation). Before I’d had a moment to let it sink in that I hadn’t won, Ciaran from gdb popped up in front of me and presented me with a huge stunning crystal engraved with GDBA 2025 FINALIST. I felt so euphoric!
The whole vibe of the evening was of celebration and joy and the awards stage became a dancefloor. What an awesome night!"
Jo Sawkins specialises in helping people with fatigue, pain and long-term issues.
