One of the region’s largest employers bagged a hat-trick of wins at a prestigious awards ceremony celebrating outstanding members of the regional workforce.
Staff from Nifco UK claimed the honours at the Employee of the Year Awards, staged at Wynyard Hall Hotel’s Grand Marquee.
Anna Donaldson, age 20, picked up the Best Apprentice trophy; Alan Robinson, age 42, was honoured in the Long Service category and the Nifco HR department scooped the Team of the Year award.
Nifco managing director and European operations officer Mike Matthews MBE, said: “We are incredibly proud of our excellent team at Nifco and take great pride in the fact they have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to our business.
“These awards reflect the commitment, drive and determination of these colleagues to themselves, their teams and the wider Nifco organisation.”
It is the inaugural year for the North East Employee of the Year Awards, which provide an opportunity for staff at all levels to be recognised and rewarded for their hard work and commitment.
Mike added: “These wins serve as a reminder that our team is recognised as exemplary and also supports our recruitment activity to encourage the best people to join our business and work with us as part of our award-winning team. We will use these awards as a driver to continue to improve across all areas. Congratulations to all award winners.”
Nifco, which serves clients including Ford, Honda, Jaguar Land-Rover, Nissan, Renault, Toyota and Vauxhall Opel has seen turnover grow year on year, and now has a team of more than 560. It is held up on a national stage, as an example of best practice in its field.
Alan, who was also shortlisted Best Practice and Unsung Hero, said: “Nifco is a great place to work and having spent the last 17 years here, I feel like I know the place inside and out. I’m so happy with this honour.”
Anna, who has been shortlisted previously at the Plastics Industry Awards for Apprentice of the Year, said: “There is a real focus on staff development, training and apprenticeships at Nifco, and I feel very lucky to work in such a supportive, modern environment.
“Having been up for an award in the past, it was nerve-wracking waiting to see if my name was going to be read out at the ceremony, but when it was I was elated. I’d like to thank everyone at Nifco for the opportunity and continued support in my apprenticeship.”
Nifco Finance and Administration Director, Doug Binks, who oversees the award-winning HR team, said: “Our HR department works incredibly hard, but is always available to provide advice, guidance and support.”
Event organiser and She’s Got It! MD, Nickie Gott, said the first Employee of the Year Awards had been a huge success and was looking forward to establishing it as an integral part of the business calendar.
She said: “With so many great people gathered to celebrate the hard work and dedication of staff being honoured, it was always going to be fantastic, and we are eternally grateful to everyone who made it possible, including our kind sponsors.
“A huge congratulations to all of the winners, as well as the nominees. You should all be extremely proud of your achievements. Your hard work is true testament to the North East’s capabilities.”