LIMA is pleased to name Christine Thomas, Senior Licensing Executive at Entertainment One UK as the winner of its inaugural UK Rising Stars Award. The award ceremony took place on the evening of 24th July at LIMA UK’s annual Young Professionals Network party, hosted at the offices of Mind Candy in East London and sponsored by Dependable Solutions.

LIMA UK’s Rising Stars Award is designed to support and champion excellence among upcoming junior licensing industry professionals. Thomas will receive one year of mentorship from LIMA UK Managing Director Kelvyn Gardner - to include four career development meetings - and the Rising Stars trophy. Kelvyn Gardner, LIMA UK MD, said: “I look forward with great anticipation to working with Christine, our first UK rising star, who has shown a commitment to and passion for the UK licensing industry as well as demonstrating innovation, initiative and leadership in her career to date. It was a fantastic evening for young licensing professionals and we’re really pleased to be able to recognise and support such talent in our industry.”

Christine Thomas, LIMA Rising Stars Winner and Senior Licensing Executive, Entertainment One UK, said: "I am absolutely thrilled to have been recognised for this award and was completely shocked when my name was read out! It was a fantastic evening last night with some very motivating and inspirational speakers and I feel very privileged to have the opportunity to progress my career in such a great industry. I would also like to thank Hannah for being a great mentor and providing advice and answers to my many questions when I started the transition from retail to licensor."

Hannah Mungo, Head of UK Licensing, Entertainment One UK who nominated Thomas for the award, said: “Big congratulations to Christine on a very well deserved win! We're really pleased to have her on board as part of the team at eOne - her accomplished buying background and specialism in licensing made her the perfect candidate for the role here. Christine has a very professional approach to her work and relationships and is already respected internally amongst her peers and senior management and externally by licensees and retailers. Christine always goes beyond what is expected of her, is mature, conscientious, pro-active, always offering support and is intent on driving our brands forward. Christine is someone who can be relied upon and has become a truly trusted member of staff.”

Attended by more than 50 young licensing professionals, LIMA’s event opened with a practical career advice session and Q&A with well known industry figures Ashley Holman, Director of UK Hardlines & Business Operations, Nickelodeon International; Vickie O’Malley, Managing Director of Rockpool and Dave Tovey, Licensing Manager at Mind Candy. The Rising Stars Award ceremony and peer networking then followed.