Mark Allen Group was in celebratory mood on Friday (June 8) at the company’s annual Summer Party, which encompassed the hotly anticipated Employee of the Year Awards.
Staff based in London travelled to meet their colleagues at the Group’s Dinton office, which is set in the beautiful grounds of company chairman Mark Allen’s Wiltshire home.
More than 150 employees and guests were treated to a three course meal, live music, and were even given the opportunity to try their hand at piloting a hovercraft. Even the wet weather couldn’t dampen their spirits, as they queued to make use of an array of activities including clay pigeon shooting, tennis, snooker and croquet.
However, the highlight of the day was undoubtedly the Employee of the Year Awards, which recognised the achievements of 10 outstanding individual members of staff, as well as the team of the year.
The top prize was awarded to David Woods, deputy editor of HR Magazine, who took home a plaque, trophy, and a cheque for £500.
‘I'm still very surprised and humbled by the award, so I just want to thank the judges... and equally question their decision,’ David said.
‘A highlight of the awards presentation for me, was hearing about some of the phenomenal achievements of colleagues and friends throughout the Mark Allen Group and the recognition tops off a fantastic year for the company.’
Ben Allen, chief executive officer of the Mark Allen Group, added: 'I want to offer my sincere congratulations to everyone who won an employee of the year award – particularly to David Woods, who thoroughly deserves the top prize. It was, as ever, an incredibly difficult decision to make because we have so many wonderful and talented people working across the group.
'The Summer Party is an opportunity to say thank you not just to our award winners, but to everyone employed by the Mark Allen Group. Without them, we wouldn't be in the very strong position in which we find ourselves. Even in tough economic times the company continues to perform exceptionally.'
David is pictured receiving his award from Eamonn Wilmott, co-owner of Horse First Racing, which trained Wiltshire Life, a horse owned by company chairman Mark Allen. The horse, which won its first race at Kempton Park in April, also made an appearance at the party.
Full list of Employee of the Year Award winners
First prize
David Woods, Deputy editor, HR Magazine
Lifetime achievement award
Richard Lambley, Editor, Land Mobile and Tetra Today
Team of the Year:
The British Journal of Nursing Team
Julie Smith, Editor
Aysha Pabani, Deputy editor
Natasha Devan, Supplements sub editor
Peter Constantine, Editorial make-up executive
Chloe Moffat, Commercial manager
Sophie McElhinney, Senior classified sales executive
Larry Oakes, Production executive
The Jack Tinker Award for editorial Excellence
Claire Waring, Editor, Wiltshire Life
Second prize
Sophie Gardner, Editor, Gastrointestinal Nursing and British Journal of Neuroscience Nursing
Joint Third prize
Chris Parr, Deputy Editor, Independent Nurse
Joint Third prize
Nick Hayward, Advertisement manager, Practice Nursing and British Journal of Cardiac Nursing
Joint Third prize
Louise Wood, Studio Design Manager, Fonthill Creative
High Commendation
Craig Nicholson, Editor, International Journal of Palliative Nursing
High Commendation
Charles Sheppard, Advertisement Manager, Land Mobile and Tetra Today
High Commendation
Sam Gournay, Editor, British Journal of Mental Health Nursing and British Journal of Healthcare Management
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