BEFORE the awards were handed out, the audience at the Aagrah were wowed with an inspirational speech from David Hyner.

One of just 16 speakers internationally to hold the Professional Speakers Award of Excellence, Birmingham-born Mr Hyner describes himself as being “borderline obsessed with helping schools, further education colleges and universities to achieve massive goals”.

He started the talk by warning the guests about the dangers of judging things by first impressions. He said: “As a little fat bloke from Birmingham and bad hair, you have to get used to people making assumptions about you.

“I’ve heard lots of people talking about misplaced impressions about Bradford. I’m so pleased to be here today, because because overcoming those assumptions is something very dear to my heart.”

He said most people had a fear of failure, with an “angel” on one shoulder saying; “Go on, you can do it” and a “devil” that knocks you, saying “who do you think you are? Do what you normally do, don’t stand out.”

He added: “You’re not here tonight because you’re average at best. You’re here because you’re good, and you’re going to get better.

He spoke of an inspirational meeting with Olympic athlete Kriss Akabusi. He added: “I asked him what made him so special. He replied ‘I don’t look up to people, I look into them.’ If someone is brilliant at something you want to be good at, don’t put them on a pedestal, look into them.

“This is the message you need to share with young people.”

He spoke of other inspirational meetings, including with a paralympic swimmer.

Other speakers included Councillor Imran Khan, executive for education, skills and employment at Bradford Council. He said: “There are many people who like to do Bradford down. That is why it is so important to celebrate what we know to be fantastic work that happens every day in our schools. This work makes a real difference to people’s lives, and these awards give us the chance to celebrate outstanding individuals.”

Mark Garratt, director of external affairs at the University of Bradford, spoke of the University’s recent Don’t Go To Bradford campaign that used a short film to dispel negative views of the city. So far the video has had over 27,000 hits on YouTube.

He spoke of the University’s desire to work closer with schools, and pointed out that the campus had the first purpose-built STEM centre in Britain. He said the University was also keen to open a medical school.