ICare, finalists in prestigious Awards
Over 700 of Lancashire's most successful business leaders gathered together for the 2011 Britain in Business Award Ceremony at Blackpool's Tower ballroom.
Hailed as 'the one they all want to win', the BIBAs is the most ambitious event of its kind in Lancashire, attracting 1079 entries from some of Lancashire's top performing companies.
Judged on financial performance and future objectives, the competitive advantage of a business, and the strategies which drive its business growth 'Business of the Year' was a hotly contested category and one where ICare has shown considerable strength during a tumultuous period for everyone within the community services sector.
As chairman and company founder Stephen Emmanuel comments; "Over the past 5 years there is perhaps no sector of commerce or industry that has had to face the scale of challenges that has confronted the social care and community support sector. Yet as all successful businesses must do, ICare has used these challenges as a catalyst for positive change.
Through the introduction of new services, improved management systems and most importantly investment in staff training and recruitment, ICare has turned what for many have been negative market developments into opportunities where we successfully addressed the new market realities and importantly for the future, provide solutions that are sustainable.
It was this creative and dynamic business approach, combined with an adherence to core care values and our commitment to community services that so impressed the Awards Panel.
Stephen concludes; "I would like to pay tribute to all our staff, be
they in management, care at home, meals, residential or extra
care housing, it is their dedication, their professionalism, commitment
to our customers and our business that made this recognition
possible and deserved, this award belong to them".
2011 Awards Spectacular
The ICare Annual Awards drew colleagues from every area of the ICare Group, to honour and recognise staff who have made a big difference not just to our business but to their colleagues and most importantly for our customers.
Once a year our colleagues from all ICare businesses, throughout the country gather together for our annual awards ceremony which for the second year in succession was held at Ribby Hall.
This year's awards proved very popular
with almost 200 staff travelling to attend
the event. Mary Fisher (pictured right)
Head of HR and one of the organisers of
the event said: "We were overwhelmed
by the response from our employees. We
know how important it is to acknowledge
and reward people for their hard work,
but it is the recognition that means so
much as the winners were all nominated
by the very people they work alongside."
A fantastic venue and a good night out, that was enhanced by a very generous buffet. Yet the event is much more than an awards ceremony, it's also a chance for employees to meet colleagues they may never have seen before, renew old acquaintances and realise that working for ICare means they are a valued member of an extended team, dedicated to deliver essential services in the best way possible to some vulnerable and often needy people.
As Chairman Stephen Emmanuel, commented: "The awards
presented today are symbolic of the commitment you show to our service users. It is that commitment to always improve
levels of customer satisfaction that is driving our business forward.
On behalf of myself, your company and our many thousands
of customers, I thank you for your efforts".
A strong hand for finance
ICare Group has appointed Simon Pomfret as Group Financial Controller in order to help manage the finances of its rapidly expanding business.
Simon who has over 30 years senior level experience within social housing and local authority finance will work alongside Group Finance Director Natalie Gregory.
"With the complexities of a rapidly changing market,
plus the expansion of our business services, we look to
a strong hand on the financial tiller" said Natalie. "We are
all delighted with the prospect of working with Simon. He
is a brilliant addition to our team and will enable the senior
management to concentrate on the business and focus on
growth".
Business is good
at Extra Care
Flagship retirement development seeing surge in uptake
This June and July has heralded a surge of interest in our flagship Extra Care development, Links View in Lytham St. Annes.
A slow first two years, due no doubt to the credit crunch and subsequent property collapse, has been turned around thanks largely to the efforts of the Sales and Marketing team. Now occupancy, which in Spring was just 11 occupied apartments, has risen to twenty five with a further three in the pipeline.
As Sales Consultant at Links View, Carol Oates points out: "We knew Links View was an excellent proposition for senior citizens, it has taken time and a lot of effort to make sales happen, now that effort is bearing fruit".
Pictured above, alongside Links View Operations Manager
Linda Cowburn, Carol's efforts were recognised with an
award at the Annual Awards ceremony last month.
Move to new Head Office
ICare has announced that the weekend of September 17th will see the move of Head office staff and functions from the two Dickson Road sites to Kincraig Business Park in Bispham.
The impressive new purpose built HQ features a vastly improved working environment, state-of-the-art training suites, meeting and interview rooms, boardroom and extensive staff facilities.
The objective of this new development is to provide a modern flexible business centre that can support growth and also reflects the stature of the company.
Colin Vallance-Owen, Project Manager said: "Our business has grown rapidly over the last few years and as a result we simply out grew our existing head office, we needed to move to a larger, more flexible working environment.
Developed and built by ICare, the new offices will benefit clients
and staff alike and everyone is looking forward to enjoying the
space and facilities the new head office will offer."
The Monthly staff awards
This award is presented every month to members of staff who in the opinion of their manager have shown outstanding commitment in their approach to their work, below are the recipients for the last quarter.
April 2011
Julie Hatch - Blackpol & Cleveleys Care
Judith Casey - Blackburn & Leyland Care
Holly Roberts - OPS Office Staff
Alan Brown - Runcorn& Kirkby Care
May 2011
Evelyn Walmsley - Blackpool & Cleveleys Care
Nicola Wilson - Blackburn & Leyland Care
Christine Emmett - Runcorn & Kirkby Care
Bernard Birchall - Wigan & Trafford Meals
June 2011
Margaret Hartley - Blackpool & Cleveleys Care
Maureen Taylor - Blackburn & Leyland Care
Congratulations to Beth Norton - Office Staff award winner for May 2011
A very bright and enthusiastic
member of staff, Beth has
worked extremely hard this
year- and dedicated a lot
of time and effort making
sure the annual staff
awards ceremony was the
success it turned out to be.
Annual Awards team pictures
