Retail Trust's First Search For A Star Winner Revealed
After performing alongside the other three finalists at the showcase Retail Trust London Ball, Nicola clinched the win after a live performance of ‘Time to say goodbye’ to the industry great and the good that included Sir Phillip Green, Sir Stuart Rose, Theo Paphitis and this year’s Ball Chair Teresa Tideman from Disney. Atomic Kitten’s Liz McClarnon and Blue’s Antony Costa from the judging panel announced her win.
Nicola now wins the opportunity to be signed up by leading talent agency CAA and a chance for widespread fame, as well as an all expenses paid trip to Monaco courtesy of Monaco Tourist Authority, British Airways and Novotel Monte Carlo, live performances at Heathrow Terminal 5 courtesy of World Duty Free, a case of champagne from Selfridges and a taste of the celebrity life though a series of OK! magazine special event invitations.
As the only charity helping current, past and future employees across the whole of the three million people strong retail sector, Retail Trust created ‘Search For A Star’ as a fresh way of raising funds whilst at the same time looking to bring a smile to the faces of the industry in a tough climate for all, highlighting the natural talent that exists in the industry where personality counts.
Nicola’s reaction was “It has been such an amazing night! I cannot believe that I’ve seen a picture of me on a big screen in this glamorous room full of big names within the retail industry. I just want to do it again and again!
And on hearing that she had won the competition, “Becoming the Retail Trust Search for a Star winner is the best way I could start 2010. Thank you to everyone that voted for me.”
Retail Trust CEO Nigel J L Rothband added his congratulations: “Nicola was one of the front runners from the very first audition, and I’d like to thank all her friends, colleagues and supporters not just for making Nicola’s dreams come true, but for helping raise funds for Retail Trust’s work through every text vote that was cast. And that goes too of course for votes cast for every one of our fifty finalists, who all helped to boost the every growing range of support services we offer.“
Rob Anderson, CEO of Signet, added, “We are immensely proud of Nicola. Not only is she a great store worker, she also has immense talent and winning The Retail Trust Search for a Star competition is a fantastic opportunity for her. We are really thrilled with this win and look forward to witnessing Nicola shoot to stardom with her amazing voice.”
Nigel J L Rothband also had words for the three other finalists – Victoria McCabe from Disney, Leanne Robinson of River Island and Louise Geatch of Early Learning Centre part of Mothercare Group “I’d like to thank all of our finalists for adding something very special to this year’s London Ball. They should be proud of how well they did. And proud of how their very entering the contest has already boosted our ability to help all those from the Retail Industry who may be in need of our assistance.
“Here’s to the 2010 contest and an even larger number of talented retail employees giving it a crack too! I have a feeling retailers might start to get competitive….”
