A FORMER Marketing manager from Warwick who ditched her 20-year-long career for floristry has now been named Student of the Year at Moreton Morrell College.
Amanda Stagg decided at the age of 48 to switch careers and pursue her passion for floristry, taking up a course at the college.
She has now completed a Level 3 Floristry course and been named the college’s top student in the process.
A total of 33 awards were presented on the awards evening at Moreton Morrell College, with students from a wide range of courses recognised for their achievements.
Ms Stagg, who works at Green and Wild Flowers in Warwick, is also a student volunteer at the college and has helped to create a cutting garden which has become a valuable teaching resource.
She said she was shocked to receive the Student of the Year prize.
She continued: “I’m absolutely overwhelmed. I don’t think I’ve ever won anything before, so I was gobsmacked when I found out I had won. This was a big career change for me. I had been a marketing director for 20-odd years but wanted a change of direction and a chance to be more creative.
“I decided to take my hobby of flowers and the garden, and turn it into something I could do as a career. Jane Benefield, my tutor at the college, has been amazing, supportive and inspiring throughout.
“It’s been great to be able to put what I’ve learned at the college into practical, commercial use at the florists I work at in Warwick. I’m coming back to Moreton Morrell to study my Level 4, hopefully continue to progress my skills and perhaps compete in some competitions too.”
Ms Benefield added: “Amanda has shown a huge commitment to her learning and goes above and beyond what is expected. She is a cheerful and positive student, who is always keen to share her practical floristry knowledge and help her peers develop.
“Amanda is a deserving winner of Student of the Year and we wish her all the best as she progresses through her floristry career”.
