A.J.M. van Well Award

About SPAR

The A.J.M. van Well Award

SPAR has been well served by the organisation's leaders over the last 80 years. These leaders have built on the initiative and founding vision of Adriaan van Well.


The prestigious Van Well Award was introduced in 1964 to recognise outstanding service to the SPAR organisation. It is appropriate that the first person to receive the award was Adriaan van Well himself.

The winners of the Van Well Award have inspired and supported their colleagues in the worldwide organisation. They also made an outstanding contribution to the development of SPAR in their own country. It is these leaders that have been acknowledged and awarded the Van Well Award.

Many others have contributed greatly and indeed continue to contribute to the continuing success of the SPAR Partnership; retailers and wholesalers working together and providing personal service in local communities backed by the strength of a global organisation.

The A.J.M. van Well Award Winners:

  • 1964 Mr A.J.M. van Well
  • 1965 Mr H. Reisch
  • 1968 Mr W. Hagen
  • 1970 Mr H.A. Holland
  • 1972 Mr H.K. Green
  • 1976 Mr B.J. Elkins
  • 1977 Mr E.A. Mayer
  • 1978 Mr L. Drexel
  • 1982 Mr E.S. Hall
  • 1982 Mr W. Zauner
  • 1994 Mr J.G.A. Irish
  • 1994 Mr H.J. Zijderveld
  • 1997 Mr B.A. Schmidt
  • 1999 Mr R. Burnhill
  • 1999 Mr. F.Th. Poppmeier
  • 2001 Mr H. Drexel
  • 2003 Mr N. Nishio
  • 2005 Mr H.M. Reisch
  • 2007 Mr P. Hughes
  • 2008 Mr I. Hall

1964: First winner Mr. A. van Well

2007: Mr. P. Hughes, South Africa

2005: Mr. H.M. Reisch, Austria

2008: Mr. I. Hall, United Kingdom