Software giant Sage Group Plc is throwing its weight behind regional awards celebrating best practice across the contact centre industry.
The Newcastle headquartered firm, a market leader providing businesses with a range of easy to use business management software and services – from accounting and payroll, to enterprise resource planning, customer relationship management and payments – has said it is thrilled to become headline sponsor of the North East Contact Centre Awards, an annual ceremony celebrating the success of businesses in the sector.
The awards – which saw Sunderland-based Barclays scoop the overall winner title last year – will take place on November 20, 2015. Sage is a previous winner of the Large Contact Centre Category of the 2013 North East Contact Centre Awards, also having been named top dogs in the awards’ first year in 2003.
Jim McGlen, head of customer services at Sage – a company that has innovation and entrepreneurial spirit at its heart and provides its services to millions of customers around the world, employing more than 14,000 people – said the firm is thrilled to get behind the awards, which are organised by Sunderland City Council and delivered by Sunderland Live.
Mr McGlen said: “Sage is extremely proud of its roots in this region and we have a long association with the North East Contact Centre Awards, having been a winner at the first awards ceremony, so it is fantastic to support them by becoming headline sponsor.
“Staying close to our customers is second nature to us. We’re a customer-centric business, and we are keen to set the blueprint in the North East and support other businesses to achieve the highest standards. The North East has a deserved reputation as a leading region for customer service – and we have a thriving contact centre industry that delivers just that every day. We’re proud to back an event that recognises the talent and skill that exists in this field, in this part of the world.”
Sage’s support for the awards comes after the company was named Contact Centre of the Year at the European Contact Centre Awards. The company also received a special award for customer service excellence after judges commended their entry as standing out above all others.
The North East Contact Centre Awards feature 11 categories, from Best New Talent to Outstanding Contribution to Community. Entries are still open, and any businesses with a contact function from across the North East can apply.
Councillor Paul Watson, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “We’re delighted to, once again, organise an awards ceremony that celebrates the brightest lights in the contact centre industry.
“Sunderland – like the wider North East – has a really strong contact centre industry and it is fantastic to be able to support them in this way. We’re delighted to have the backing of Sage Plc, a business that has an absolute commitment to outstanding customer service.”
To find out more about the awards, how to enter or for sponsorship opportunities, visit www.necontactcentreawards.co.uk or email enquiries@necontactcentreawards.co.uk.