Sharon Fowler, Window Ware’s long-serving credit control manager, was named joint winner of the G21 Unsung Hero Award on Friday 26 November, during a presentation evening at London’s Park Lane Hilton Hotel. Sharon shares the award with Colin Russell, who works for VBH UK, another hardware business. Read more about the 2021 G Awards, here.
The Unsung Hero Award confirms what her colleagues have known all along: that Sharon’s many accomplishments and positive attitude over the last year, despite gruelling treatment for cancer and difficult personal circumstances, have been nothing short of heroic. While undergoing chemotherapy and shielding at home, Sharon single-handedly maintained accounting functions for the business remotely, during lockdown, while the rest of the team was furloughed. Fast forward a few months and she was instrumental in inducting colleagues back into the department once restrictions had lifted.
During the course of the year, Sharon championed remote working technologies and adopted new approaches to provide a more personalised level of support to customers, taking into account their varying financial situations and operational status in the wake of the pandemic. She has consistently led the accounts team to success, the business claims, achieving record-breaking performance that has cut old debt, brought debtor days to their lowest level since June 2015 and smashed cash collection targets.
Sam Nuckey, Window Ware’s managing director, said: “Words cannot express how truly proud we are of Sharon. Her determination to beat cancer and her selfless dedication to the business has made a real difference to Window Ware and our customers, as well as the multiple charities she supports. I’m delighted all the judges agreed that Sharon deserved to take the title of Unsung Hero, along with fellow finalist Colin. They are both worthy winners, and an inspiration to us all!”
Martin Wardhaugh, group chief executive for Arran Isle, also offered his congratulations. He said: “Sharon is the very definition of an unsung hero and a really important part of Window Ware’s continued success.”
Sharon reported having been truly touched by the support of her Window Ware teammates, and by the well wishes from business associates after scooping the accolade. She said: “I feel honoured just to be nominated for this year’s Unsung Hero award, let alone actually win! I know I could not have achieved everything I have without the support and understanding of my colleagues, so a big thank you to everyone at Window Ware.”
