SERC Excellence Awards 2023
SERC students, staff, friends, and family gathered across our Bangor, Downpatrick, and Lisburn campuses to celebrate the best of the College community at the South Eastern Regional College Excellence Awards 2022, which took place on 29 – 31 March. .
This was the first time the event has returned to college campuses in three years, and more than 200 certificates and awards were presented at special ceremonies in recognition of outstanding student and staff achievements.
On three separate evenings, guests were welcomed with a drinks reception and canapes, offering the opportunity to mingle and for photographs before the award presentations began.


Lisburn and Ballynahinch
Sponsored by Greenview
The event at Lisburn Campus on 21 March was the first of three Excellence Awards celebrations. Master of Ceremonies was John Mackell, SERC Governor.
More than 80 certificates and awards were presented in recognition of outstanding student achievements and staff success.
Awards were presented by guest speaker, Jonny Pierce, founder and owner of JP Coaching. A past student of SERC, Jonny has developed a strong reputation as a motivational speaker and in 2022 won Online Coach of the Year at the NI Health and Fitness Awards.
This year, the College was delighted to have headline sponsorship support from Greenview, along with category awards supported by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council for the Entrepreneur of the Year Award; Fusion Heating for the Apprentice of the Year Award; Draynes Farm for the Community Champion of the Year Award; and Inspired 2 Care for the Champion of Health and Wellbeing Award.
Following the presentations, a Vote of Thanks was given by Sophie Leith Francis, SERC Student Governor.
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Bangor, Newtownards and Holywood
Sponsored by Decathlon
Awards were presented at the Bangor Campus on 23 March by guest speaker, Robert Ferguson, highly accomplished entrepreneur with a wealth of experience in business start-ups. Robert is currently managing director of Four Gears Media, CEO and founder of Validata and director and co-founder of both Bountee Ltd and Lettuce Pay UK. Robert congratulated the 150 people receiving certificates, trophies and awards and wished them every success in their future studies and careers.
SERC Governor Karen Fraser took on the Mistress of Ceremonies role.
SERC was delighted to have headline sponsorship support from Decathlon, along with category awards sponsored by Ards and North Down Borough Council for the Entrepreneur of the Year Award; Fusion Heating for the Apprentice of the Year Award; and Inspired 2 Care for the Champion of Health and Wellbeing Award.
Following the presentations, a Vote of Thanks was given by Sophie Leith Francis .
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Downpatrick and Newcastle
Sponsored by Labour Market Partnership
The Excellence Awards ceremony for SERC Downpatrick and Newcastle Campuses saw 90 certificates and awards presented in Downpatrick.
The College was delighted that Newry Mourne and Down District Labour Market Partnership sponsored the event; thanks are also due to category sponsors Fusion Heating and Inspired2Care.
Guest speaker, who also presented the certificates and trophies, was Lynne McCabe, entrepreneur and businesswoman who spoke of her continuing learning journey including courses at SERC. Most recently, Lynne studied interior design and has applied her learning to her hospitality businesses.
The Master of Ceremonies was SERC governor Alan McCrum and following the presentations, SU officer Laura Wright gave the vote of thanks.
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