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It was in spring 2004, in the days when the annual BAPCO event was held at the Islington Business Design centre, that past British APCO President, Gareth Wilkinson, a senior officer with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue service, and a leading light in the North West for British APCO, was tragically taken from us all too soon. In late 2004, the British ACPO Executive Committee put in place a policy document outlining the setting up of the Gareth Wilkinson Memorial Award with the objective of commemorating Gareth and all that he did for British APCO. The Aim of the award is to acknowledge the outstanding contribution and meritorious service given by an individual BAPCO member to enable the Association to achieve its Purpose – March 2023 was only the third time that the award has been presented.
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April 2005, London: Duncan Swan
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April 2008, London: Colin Evans
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March 2023, Coventry: Tony Bracey
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Duncan Swan receiving the
award in April 2005
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Duncan Swan, as BAPCO COO, presenting the award
to Tony Bracey in March 2023
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British APCO announced the formal launch of the inaugural Ian Thompson Bursary at the Newcastle event in November 2022. Recognition and celebration of innovation and success, as both individuals and as team members, should be par for the course of being a British APCO member. It is an important ingredient for galvanising a professional community spirit amongst the Association. Our former Chief Executive Ian Thompson, who passed away in 2020, was a great advocate for education and developing young talent within the public safety industry. During Ian’s tenure, it was often discussed how we should support the development of these individuals while at the same time promoting British APCO and furthering its charitable objectives. The Board have been considering an award in Ian’s name for some time and were delighted to have announced the formal launch of the award.
The award is open to applicants of all ages in the first 2 or 3 years of working or studying in the field of critical communications in public safety within the UK and Ireland; they could have a role in a user organisation, employed by a supplier or in full time studies. The first winners of the award were announced in Coventry in March 2023 and presented by Ian Thompson's wife Amanda.
- James Searle – User & Assurance Manager, NHS Ambulance Radio Programme
- Oliver Horrell – Inside Sales Account Manager, Zebra Technologies
- Amy Finch – Digital Marketing Manager, Sepura
- Conner Fearn – Consultant, Grayce/Mason Advisory
(L to R) John Anthony, Oliver Horrell, Conner Fearn, Amy Finch, James Searle, Amanda Thompson
The 2025 Ian Thompson Bursary is now open for applications - find out more about this year's Bursary here
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