Our Business Engagement team has successfully partnered with Nottingham’s Crowne Plaza to find performers for its 2025 festive hotel entertainment programme. This collaboration has provided a unique opportunity for both students and staff to showcase their talents, with the winning acts receiving paid contracts to entertain guests during the holiday season.
Peter Gregory, General Manager of Crowne Plaza Nottingham, expressed his gratitude and excitement about the event. He said:
“We had an incredible night, thank you to the students and lecturers who made the event such a success. The calibre of the acts was fantastic and I’m truly looking forward to the winners performing at the hotel later in the year. This is just the start of our partnership with Nottingham College, and I look forward to working with them on many more occasions going forward.”
The competition saw 16 participants in the first audition held at the City Hub in April, with seven acts advancing to the final at Crowne Plaza Nottingham on Friday 2nd May. The finalists, who brought family and friends to support them, included singers, a dance act, and a comedian.
Judging panel
The event was judged by a distinguished panel, including:
- Peter Gregory – General Manager, Crowne Plaza Nottingham
- Tiffany Bruntlett – Director of Sales & Marketing, Crowne Plaza Nottingham
- Nicky Reid – Careers Advisor, Nottingham College, with 20 years in the music business
- Andy Comyn – Nottingham College Chief Financial Officer/Deputy CEO
Winning acts
The competition was fierce, but three acts stood out and were awarded first, second, and third place:
1st – Daisy Duggan
Daisy, a singer and staff member working as a Recruiter within the Employer Engagement team, captivated the audience with her renditions of ‘Young Hearts Run Free’ and ‘Material Girl’.
2nd – Harriet Campion
Harriet, a BA (Hons) Musical Theatre student in her first year at Nottingham College, impressed the judges with her performances of ‘Somebody to Love’ and ‘Valerie’.
3rd – Rachel Merrill
Rachel, a singer and Lecturer in Performing Arts, delivered stunning performances of ‘Take a Chance’ and ‘Time After Time’.
Prizes
Daisy Duggan will be offered a paid contract to perform at Crowne Plaza Nottingham over the festive season as part of their entertainment package.
Harriet Campion and Rachel Merrill will also have conversations with Crowne Plaza and be given paid opportunities to perform at events at the hotel in the future.
Maxine Blake, Nottingham College Head of Employer Engagement, said:
"We were thrilled to co-host this event to showcase the talent of Nottingham College, providing enrichment for both our staff and students. A huge thank you to Hannah Rogers and Mark Johnson who went above and beyond to support Crowne Plaza in this event.
“Also, special thanks to all the judges and organisers who made the evening a memorable success. This partnership marks the beginning of a promising collaboration between Nottingham College and Crowne Plaza Nottingham, with many more exciting opportunities to come.”
