Former Digital Marketing Apprentice, Anna Cullen, has received two prestigious apprenticeship awards receiving regional and national industry recognition.

Last month, Anna was awarded ‘Digital Marketer of the Year 2023 – Highly Commended’ at the BCS IT and Digital Apprenticeship Awards.

Led by the Chartered Institute of IT, the awards celebrate the talent and achievements of Apprentices from across the UK in all digital disciplines. Candidates were judged against their professionalism, innovation, value added and their ability to be a role model within the workplace, recognising rising stars in their profession. 

Joining Building Design Northern (BDN) as a Digital Marketing Apprentice in July 2021, Anna studied a Level 3 Digital Marketing qualification at New College Durham and achieved a Grade Distinction in February 2022. During her apprenticeship, Anna transformed the digital presence of BDN and worked across high-profile marketing campaigns, including Sheepfolds Stables and Simpson Street Apartments.

The former apprentice has since been promoted to Marketing and Administration Executive, where she is solely responsible for all marketing and communications, continuously seeking opportunities to elevate the digital presence of BDN.

Nominated by New College Durham, Anna also received ‘Digital Marketer Apprentice of the Year’ at the inaugural Durham City Freemen Apprentice of the Year Awards.

The freemen, whose origins are believed to reach back to 1327, have continuously represented the city’s craftsmen and historically exercised significant control over the commercial and economic life of the city, ensuring high standards of workmanship and assuming responsibility for training apprentices. Partnering with New College Durham, Durham University and Durham Cathedral, the Durham City Freeman seek to celebrate the “best in class” apprentices across a range of trade skills.

Mary Summerson, Apprenticeships Skills Co-ordinator at New College Durham, said, “Anna went a long way in a very short time and the quality of her contribution was inspiring. Her final portfolio was amazing, earning her a rare distinction.”

Speaking about her award success, Anna said, “It is an honour to have received two prestigious awards for my contributions as a Digital Marketing Apprentice. Both ceremonies celebrated the excellence of apprenticeships regionally and nationally and it is a privilege for my name to be amongst such a high standard of talent.

“Choosing to join BDN as an apprentice has provided me with incredible opportunities that have catapulted my career at just 20 years old. I am so grateful for their continuous support and owe so much of these awards to them!”

Rochelle Richardson, Director of Finance at BDN, said, “Anna is truly deserving of both of her awards and it is fantastic to see her hard work get recognition by industry leaders and professionals. Anna is such an integral part of the BDN team and her professionalism and dedication is beyond her years. We are all very proud and know that she will continue to thrive.”

Find out more about both awards ceremonies here > Apprentices’ Awards Takes Them Back To The Future – Durham City Freemen / BCS IT & Digital Apprenticeship Awards | BCS