Newcastle business is named one of 'Best in Britain' in Remploy's prestigious Leading the Way Awards
17th October 2007
Nina Howell, Eleanor Morrissey and Sinead Butters from Aspire Housing collecting their award from Richard FarleighAspire Housing, the Newcastle-under-Lyme-based provider of homes across North Staffordshire and South Cheshire, won its title for outstanding employee retention at the final in London, and was presented with the coveted award by entrepreneur and former Dragon’s Den TV show ‘dragon’ Richard Farleigh.
Remploy is the country’s leading provider of employment services for disabled people and has a dedicated Return to Work service which provides fast, flexible and practical solutions to assist people back into work after an accident or ill health. The prestigious Leading the Way awards, run this year in association with The Times, recognise outstanding employers and individuals who have made significant efforts to actively encourage diversity within their organisations.
Aspire Housing was one of eight businesses and individuals honoured at the awards final at the Victoria Plaza hotel in London on 15 October 2007 and Sinéad Butters, Chief Executive, was delighted to have come out top of entrants from across Britain.
“This is a fantastic tribute to our company, one that demonstrates the brilliant work that we do to enable everyone to fully participate in and benefit from long-term employment opportunities.
“We work extremely closely with colleagues to ensure a smooth transfer back into the workplace after long periods absent due to ill-health or a disabling condition. We offer numerous ‘return to work’ programmes and provide assistance from health services, the provision of specialist equipment to professional counselling services.”
Remploy chief executive Bob Warner said in announcing the award that the judges had chosen Aspire Housing because they clearly demonstrated their commitment to the ongoing employment of disabled people.
“Their approach is based on their recognition of the skills and abilities of their disabled employees, and the value they place on retaining these skills within their business,” said Mr Warner.
Aspire Housing beat off the challenge of scores of other contenders to make it onto an early shortlist in the retention category, which was judged on a national level and the winner announced at the final.
Apart from the retention award won by Aspire Housing, awards were also on offer to businesses in five other categories, namely for:
• Learning
• Innovation
• Small businesses/organisations (fewer than 100 employees)
• Medium businesses/organisations (101 – 1,000 employees)
• Large businesses/organisations (1,000+ employees)
Separate awards were also made to the Outstanding Business Individual and to the Outstanding Jobcentre Plus Individual of the year.
Richard Farleigh told guests that it made business sense for companies to be inclusive and a caring working environment generated respect. He added: “We should be looking at all angles to get the right people. It is the mark of a good business that it is able to do that.”
Bob Warner told the audience at the awards, “It is always a privilege to applaud those businesses and individuals that go the extra mile in the employment of disabled people.
“Thanks to the example that many of you in this room have set, more employers are understanding the benefits of employing disabled people and helping to create a level playing field for disabled job seekers.”
