23 November 2007
Batleys Shine in Bestway Group Awards
Bestway cash and carry group held their annual Performance Awards ceremony this week to recognise the contribution both its staff and suppliers have made this year to both Bestway and Batleys, the second largest cash and carry group in the UK.
The awards were held in the Raphael Gallery at the Victoria and Albert Museum, one of London’s most impressive settings.
The awards are held annually and are open to all of the 4500 staff across the group. There are 13 awards made to staff and 2 awards to suppliers in 15 different categories, recognising outstanding performance and achievement across all areas of the business. This year there are 3 new awards to include catering sales, recognising the importance this sector plays in the business.
Members of staff, including managers across the group, vote for colleagues who, in their eyes, have achieved “top marks” in improving their all round performance and subsequently improve the way the business is run. Suppliers to the group also contribute their votes. Additionally, Bestway and Batleys management teams and staff operating in the branches nominate suppliers who have demonstrated the best attitude and innovative approach in managing the business relationship.
Batleys walked away with the following top awards:
Depot of the year out of the group’s 51 branches went to Batleys, Southampton (Fareham). Batleys managers, Paul Duce (current) and Anton James (just moved to Batleys, Gillingham) were presented with a cheque for £3000 to be given to the depot staff, and a trophy and certificate, to be displayed at the depot.
The runner up manager of the year award went to Batleys’ Paul Rabone, from the West Bromwich branch who received a £1000 cheque with a trophy and certificate.
The Batleys head office employee of the year was Charlotte John, Finance Manager, who received a £500 cheque together with a trophy and certificate.
The Batleys head office department of the year was IT. John Humphreys, IT Controller, received a £1000 cheque, trophy and certificate on behalf of the department.
Suppliers to the group were also given special awards:
Most innovative supplier of the year
Walkers (Pepsico) International, David Biggs. £1500, trophy and certificate
Supplier of the year
United Biscuits, Neil Machin. £2500, trophy and certificate
Zameer Choudrey, chief executive of the Bestway group said, “These awards have gained a reputation for recognising professionalism at every level of our business. Staff across the group have continued to work hard in all aspects of their working lives, and some – those whose success we celebrate this year – have made exceptional progress. We congratulate them.
“We are presenting 15 awards, and we are very pleased to include Batleys staff in these award nominations, it proves the importance and contribution that Batleys makes in helping to promote the Bestway group of companies as one of the most significant private company’s in this country in food wholesaling.
“Our suppliers are as important to the success of our business as are our own people – each group working together as a successful partnership to deliver what our customers want, which in turn endorses what the Bestway group stands for – building business for the independents.”
The 400 guests at the awards ceremony were entertained after dinner by comedian Michael McIntyre, who according to the Evening Standard is, “the most gifted comedian around."