Making the Difference Awards 2018 – Winners Announced

Congratulations to all our finalists and winners at our third annual Making the Difference Staff Awards.

The Awards ceremony took place on Friday 2nd March 2018 at Kesgrave Hall, Milsoms.

Employee of the Year

Sponsored by DCS

 

Our staff are our primary asset in delivering service excellence – this award is designed to recognise the significant contribution that an individual has made to Vertas, its clients and customers.

And the winner is…

Trish Middleton, Head of Kitchen at Hampden House PRU

 

Congratulations to our finalists

  • Ed Smith, Risk and Resilience Manager for Oakpark
  • Elizabeth Palmer, Head of Kitchen at Forest Academy

 

An individual who has…

  • Demonstrated a positive ‘can do’ attitude to their work stream
  • Consistently exceeded customer expectations
  • Delivered significant measureable benefits to Vertas
  • Been recognised by customer, client, colleague or line manager as a forward thinking positive individual
  • Achieved all of their appraisal performance measures
  • An excellent attendance record

DCS logo

Team of the Year

Sponsored by Rubber Cheese

 

We are looking for teams that have demonstrably gone the extra mile to improve the way they work, for example; to increase client satisfaction or deliver improve service standards

 

And the winner is…

Cromer Academy Catering Team

Congratulations to our finalists

  • Mildenhall College Catering Team
  • Vertas Security Team

 

 

A team that has…

  • Demonstrated that working as a team works better than an individual
  • Delivered significant measureable benefits to the business, including financial and HSQE
  • Consistently and measurably exceeds customer expectations
  • Sick absence below the company target
  • Demonstrated outstanding business improvement

Rubber Cheese logo

Colleagues Champion

Sponsored by Bidfood

 

This award recognises a Vertas employee who has consistently supported work colleagues and is always there to help others

 

And the winner is..

Beth Andrews, Contract Manager, Energy

Congratulations to our finalists

  • Ashley Copping, Management Accountant, Finance
  • Lauren Ramsey, Business Support Administrator, Central Services

 

 

An individual who…

  • Actively supports other team members
  • Is recognised by colleagues as a dedicated individual who is willing to offer support, give advice and be flexible in their approach to the business and its employees
  • Is an enthusiastic person with a ‘can do’ attitude
  • Is a mentor to others
  • Shares knowledge and expertise with team members

Bid Food logo

Lifetime Achievement

Sponsored by McCain

This accolade is to recognise a member of our team who has consistently strived to develop their service area, their team and add value to the organisation in its many guises.

And the winner is…

Bridget Gibson, Office Manager, Beacon House

Congratulations to our finalists

  • Andrew Farr, Area Catering Manager
  • Debbie Stranix, Head Cook at Constable Restaurant

 

An individual who has…

  • Made a contribution to the wider FM and support services industry – through memberships and affiliations
  • Stood out for their dedication to the business
  • Demonstrated commitment to making Vertas a successful company
  • Been seen as an advocate for Vertas and has knowledge of all services
  • Been a mentor and example to others
  • Committed to Vertas and its predecessors

McCain logo

Innovation

Sponsored by Marybelle

Without innovation we will never move forward. Recognising the vital importance that innovative ideas and creativity play in Vertas, the innovations can be product or service based.

 

And the winner is…

Craig Byford and Susan Mahoney, Business and Service Development Team

Congratulations to our finalists

  • Jenny Howlett, Head of Kitchen at St Edmunds Catholic School
  • Mark Dunningham, Graphic Design Manager

An individual or team that has…

  • Introduced a new concept, product, service or process that has benefited Vertas
  • Been fully committed to continuous business improvement
  • Demonstrated measurable benefit from the introduction of the innovation
  • Implemented their innovative idea / way of working
  • Demonstrated agility in their approach to their service stream

Marybelle logo

Inspiring Leaders

Sponsored by Imtech

This award recognises our Inspiring leaders who develop and motivate their teams to deliver service excellence, in their chosen speciality.

And the winner is…

Danny Markham, Risk and Quality Coordinator, Property Management

Congratulations to our finalists

  • Claire Cannings, Team Leader at Endeavour House
  • Paul Woodward, General Manager at Verse FM

 

 

A leader who…

  • Nominees should demonstrate excellent leadership skills, impact and commitment to the success of others
  • Evidence of employee succession planning
  • Appraisals follow on – plotted individuals learning and development needs
  • lives the Vertas values and is always fair and consistent in their dealings with colleagues
  • Actively develops individuals to achieve their full potential
  • Is seen as a mentor by colleagues

Imtech logo

Going the Extra Mile

Sponsored by Accent Fresh

This award recognises an individual who has gone above and beyond in the course of their work to provide service excellence or support to colleagues.

 

And the winner is…

Sarah Sadler, Head of Kitchen at Guildhall Feoffment Primary School

 

Congratulations for our finalists

  • Mark Francis, Regional Facilities Manager, Landmark House
  • Sam Allum, Head of Kitchen at Rattlesden Primary School

An individual who has…

  • Consistently exhibited a willingness to help and support
  • Demonstrated commitment to Vertas by going above and beyond the call of duty
  • Worked outside of their normal work stream to support the business
  • Added value by improving cross functional relationships
  • Consistently supported colleagues and line managers

Accent Fresh logo

Specialist of the Year

Sponsored by Source One

This award seeks to reward and recognise our service specialists who innovate and develop their area of expertise for the benefit of Vertas, its clients and customers

And the winner is…

Victoria Fox, CAD Technician, Property Management

 

Congratulations to our finalists

  • Gary Pickering, Charge Hand Groundsman, Grounds Maintanance
  • Jess Ablitt, Management Accountant, Finance

 

An individual who has…

  • Demonstrated a high level of knowledge and expertise in their chosen service discipline
  • Undertaken training (either inside or outside the organisation) to develop their knowledge
  • Introduced a measurable change to the way the service is delivered to improve efficiency or deliver improved client satisfaction
  • Introduced innovation and new ideas into their chosen discipline
  • Embraced and adapted to the business re-engineering from SCC to Vertas
  • Shown a continuous positive attitude to change

Source One logo

Sustainability

Sponsored by Expense Reduction Analysts

Sustainability is one of the Vertas Group’s core values because not only is it the right thing to do for our planet and our environment, it can have business efficiency benefits too. This award recognises where ‘sustainability’ has been put at the heart of our Vertas way of working.

The finalists are…

Colin Lambert, Site Manager, Gunton Primary School

Congratulations to our finalists

  • Andrew English and Paul Booker, Regional Managers, Property Management
  • South Regional Cleaning Team

An individual or team who has…

  • Demonstrated that working smarter can offer sustainable solutions
  • Lived out the Vertas ‘Sustainability’ value
  • Worked actively with the local community to engage and support
  • Implemented a new way of working; delivering environmental benefits
  • Been an advocate in the promotion of sustainable working practices

ERA logo

Customer 1st

Sponsored by Birketts

 

Customers are our live blood. This award recognises a member of our Vertas team that has provided exceptional customer and / or client service over a sustained period of time and who has demonstrated a ‘customer first’ culture.

 

And the winner is…

Wood Ley Primary Catering Team

Congratulations to our finalists

  • Norman Perry, Landscape Projects Designer, Grounds Design
  • Sarah Ackers, Head of Kitchen at Boxford Primary School

 

An individual or team that…

  • Creates a service vision to reflect the customer’s needs
  • Delivers what they say they will do on a consistent basis
  • Demonstrably puts the customer’s needs ahead of their own
  • Knows the market and competitors and pre-empts change
  • Constantly reviews service offered and puts measurement in place

Birketts

A huge thank you goes to our 2018 sponsors, this event would not be possible without you