A Fantastic Night: The UK Dating Awards 2014

The night itself was jam packed with everyone from the big online dating companies such as eHarmony, Lovestruck and Guardian Soulmates, to TV dating expert Jo Hemmings and the glossy magazines who write about all things love, dating and breakups.
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What happens when you put 300 of the UK's top dating professionals together in one room? Hilarity, carnage and a sense that the UK singles are in very good hands.

The UK Dating Awards took place in the stunning Prince Consort room at the Honorary Artillery Company building in London. The brain child of Charly Lester, the awards were established to recognise excellence and expertise in all areas of the dating industry. Not just the big shots either, but newcomers to the industry who are making a big impact.

If you're single and want to use a dating service, it can be a minefield. There are so many options, how do you know which one to use? That's where the awards come in. They're a great guideline for finding reputable dating services, monitoring the industry and making it more accountable so that those dodgy dating businesses (and there are many in matchmaking unfortunately) don't get the chance to stick around for long.

It's about time the UK dating industry had some accountability and the awards are a fantastic step forward.

The night itself was jam packed with everyone from the big online dating companies such as eHarmony, Lovestruck and Guardian Soulmates, to TV dating expert Jo Hemmings and the glossy magazines who write about all things love, dating and breakups. There were also newcomers such as best new dating app Trueview and best new dating individual, which went to dating profile photographer Saskia Nelson.

Of course, I had a vested interest in one award in particular - Matchmaker of the Year. Up against some of the most recognisable names in the industry, it was a tough call on who might win but I remained elegant, composed and sophisticated as it was announced I had won the award. Well, actually I jumped up, screamed and proceeded to dance around for a bit but a girl has got to celebrate!

The mood was truly celebratory and what a fantastic night it was.

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UK Dating Awards 2014 Winners - The Best In The UK Dating Industry

Websites and Apps

Dating Website of the Year:Lovestruck

Newcomer App of the Year:Trueview

Daters Favourite Website:Guardian Soulmates

Dating App of the Year:Lovestruck

Newcomer Website of the Year: Inner Circle

Best Specialist Dating Site: Muddy Matches

Religious Dating Site of the Year: Christian Connection

Individuals

Blogger of the Year:Katy Horwood

Dating Journalist of the Year:Andy Jones

Dating Expert of the Year: Jo Hemmings

Best New Dating Individual:Saskia Nelson

Dating Entrepreneur of the Year: Turn Partners

Events

Best Singles Party: Lovestruck

Best London Dating Event:Inner Circle

Best Speed Dating Event: Date in a Dash

Best Food or Drink Event: Table8

Most Original Dating Event:Loveflutter

Safer Dating Award: Scamalytics

Media

Best Dating Column:Sex and the Single Guy (Cosmopolitan)

Best Dating Blog:All Sweetness and Life

Best Dating TV Show:First Dates

Best Newcomer Dating Blog: Urban Social

Best Magazine for Dating Advice: Comspoiltan

Best Dating Related Advert:Guardian Soulmates

Founders Award: Tinder

Congratulations to all the winners of the UK Dating Awards. May we collectively bring together thousands of UK singles and continue to spread the love!

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