Vertu Motors plc chief executive Robert Forrester has been named as business leader of the year at the prestigious Automotive Management (AM) Awards.
Hosted by Automotive Management Magazine, the 2023 AM Awards celebrate the best performers within the motor retail industry, following a judging process conducted by a panel of sector specialists. Mr Forrester was singled out for his outstanding leadership, growing the company to become the third largest automotive retailer in the UK, currently employing over 7,000 people.
The Vertu Motors group was also recognised for supporting colleagues to have a good work-life balance and in driving standards of customer service. The business leader and a small number of colleagues, including COO David Crane and CFO Karen Anderson, founded Gateshead-headquartered Vertu Motors in late 2006, through a cash shell float in AIM. Mr Forrester has established himself as a media commentator on all things automotive and in 2021 appeared in the ITV series Undercover Boss.
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He said: “Thank you to the AM panel of judges for this humbling accolade but this award isn’t just for me, it is as much for all of my colleagues at Vertu. It’s been a real journey since 2006 to where we are today, and it has been a team effort of which I am incredibly proud. There have been significant challenges along the way, including a pandemic, a global recession and supply chain issues but the resilience, determination and hard work of every colleague has ensured Vertu Motors continues to go from strength to strength.”
Radiation tech firm Kromek Group has celebrated its 20th year in business with staff events in the US and UK.
Established in 2003 as a spin out from Durham University, Kromek’s innovations in areas of detection and advanced imaging are now exported to more than 50 countries around the globe.
Within its first ten years, the company had secured contracts with the UK government, the United States Department of Defense and NASA, and officially listed on AIM. Kromek has also been recognised for several prestigious accolades, including Global Security Challenge, Counter Terror Awards, UK Tech Awards, IP 100 and the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in recognition of its outstanding contribution to international trade.
More recently, Kromek’s world-leading technology has been used as protection at high-profile events including US president visits to NATO summits and critical infrastructures.
Dr Arnab Basu, CEO of Kromek Group plc, said: “We are delighted to be celebrating 20 years of Kromek. We’ve come a long way since we started life as Durham Scientific Crystals, from having operations in the UK to serving a global customer base. I’m incredibly proud of everything we’ve achieved on our journey so far. Our work has been recognised by many individuals and organisations from around the world, which included a recent visit from King Charles III, before his accession, to officially commission our cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) furnaces in 2020.
“We’ve got a fantastic team here who are always innovating and pushing the boundaries of what is possible within our areas of work. I’m incredibly grateful for everyone we’ve had working with us over the past two decades, because we’ve had some incredible talent. It was wonderful to celebrate the efforts of our teams with an outdoor picnic and activity session both in our UK and US facilities!”
Newcastle construction tech company NBS is celebrating a milestone in the company’s history with a year of giving back.
This year marks 50 years since NBS launched its first innovative specification guide for the construction industry, and to mark the occasion NBS employees are completing 50 acts of kindness, which will support charities and good causes in the North East and beyond.
Activities will include physical challenges alongside a schedule of fundraising schemes and volunteering days. Planned events include a donation drive for the West End food bank, taking part in the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, and vegetarian cookouts at FoodCycle Westgate, using surplus food from supermarkets.
NBS is also running work experience days, aimed at North East youngsters looking to take their first step into the working world.
Since the launch of its first publication, the ‘National Building Specification’ in 1973, the company has gone from strength to strength, helping architects produce building plans and designs as well as collaborate closely with manufacturers. Following published volumes, the company began to digitise as early as 1979, a strategy that has aided the firm’s rise to become a global leading supplier of constructed information to the construction industry.
Russell Haworth, NBS CEO and UK CEO at Byggfakta, said: “We’re incredibly proud of our North East heritage and what better way to celebrate 50 years of success than by giving back charities and to our communities. This anniversary is an incredibly important year for us – it’s been an opportunity to reflect on the many successes the business has achieved but also consider where we’re heading. We’re as ambitious as ever and our digital expertise is growing year-by-year, allowing architects to build more safely, more sustainably and with greater clarity and peace of mind. As a business that likes to give back, I look forward to each of these acts of kindness coming to life – and seeing the good it will bring to deserving charities and local causes.”
The Inn Collection Group (ICG) is celebrating being officially named as one of the UK’s best places to work after being named on the 2023 list compiled by The Sunday Times.
The list recognises companies that create happier working environments by fostering engagement from their teams and the Newcastle leisure firm’s listing comes in the big organisation category, placing it in the company of organisations such as Alzheimer’s Society, Bella Italia and Octopus Energy.
During the past year, the company has established a seven-strong People Team at its central support offices in Benton, who work to attract, nurture and support talented individuals across the company, which now has more than 1,000 employees. This has led to the firm partnering with local communities, educational groups and establishments and the development of new training programmes, including a recent focus on preventing workplace stress and supporting mental health for managers.
People director Liz Robertson said: “We’re delighted that our people are enjoying their time with ICG and that we have been officially recognised as a great place to work as a result. Supporting our teams is incredibly important for us, be that with our exciting development programmes, our Inn Safe Hands initiative or even just our excellent benefits package. Making people happy is what we are about and that extends to our own too.
“As a group, we are steadfast in our belief that hospitality can be an industry in which people can enjoy long, fulfilling and rewarding careers and making the Sunday Time Best Places to Work list underlines our commitment. Making sure that our people can progress both within the business and as individuals is incredibly important to us and we are further developing how we can do that.
The Dunelm Foundation has given £15,000 to nine local causes following a successful fundraiser dinner with Kevin Keegan.
Recipients included Chronicle Sunshine Fund, Foundation of Light, South Shields Foundation, St Cuthbert’s Hospice, St Margaret’s Centre, Durham Cricket Foundation, Newcastle Rugby Foundation, Wear Valley Women’s Aid and High Fell Amateur Boxing Club.
Formed in 2019, with the aim of supporting the vital work of a range of local causes, The Dunelm Foundation raises its funds primarily through the continuation of Durham’s flagship annual sportsperson dinner. The committee is made up of representatives from some of Durham’s leading businesses including Clive Owen, Helios Real Estate, Swinburne Maddison LLP and Urban Base.
The presentation evening, which was sponsored by Durham law firm, Swinburne Maddison LLP, took place at Durham County Cricket Club and the committee were delighted to welcome guests including Sir Bob Murray CBE, former owner of SAFC and Chairman of Foundation of Light.
Chair of the committee, Phil Hourigan, said: “We had a great time raising money on the evening but it’s even more fun giving the money away! It’s a real pleasure to be able to share the proceeds of our dinner among so many excellent charities and initiatives who are doing such great work for our region. Of course, none of this would be possible without the help and support of my fellow committee members and the generosity of the local businesses, colleagues and friends who come together to support our event each year. Our next event on September 22nd at Ramside Hall, with guest speaker Niall Quinn, will be our biggest yet and we still have some tickets available”
Around 83 employees at Miller Homes North East took part in Active April – a month-long walking initiative to raise almost £10,000 for St Oswald’s Hospice.
For every 2,000 steps – or one mile – walked, the company pledged to donate £1 to the charity, which provides specialist and expert care to adults and children with life-limiting conditions. Their efforts – which included a seven-strong team completing the gruelling Three Peaks Challenge in under 24 hours – led to an overall donation to the charity of £9,999.
Patrick Arkle, regional managing director of Miller Homes, said staff “really went the extra mile".
He said: “St Oswald’s is a charity close to so many hearts here in the North East thanks to the amazing care they give to people at a tie inn their lives when they need it most, so, everyone at Miller Homes was determined to give this challenge their very best shot.”
Kirsty McDonald, business partnerships fundraiser at St Oswald’s Hospice, said the charity was “delighted and so grateful” for the money raised by Miller Homes North East.
She said: “Miller Homes has been fundraising force for St Oswald’s Hospice and we’ve loved seeing staff from across their organisation getting involved in support of our patients and families.
“The team have been fantastic supporters and ambassadors for us. As a local charity offering our services free of charge to those who need them, the support of our business community is vital in helping us raise the £8.5m needed each year to keep our doors open. This recent donation from Miller Homes is so gratefully received, so a huge thank you to the whole team, on behalf of us all at St Oswald’s Hospice.”
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