Employer of the Year Award (sponsored by MBDA) finalists

Appletons

A BOLTON company that encourages and helps its employees to have the right work-life balance has been shortlisted for the Employer of the Year Award 2019.

Appletons are Landscape Artists and Environmental Consultants and based in Chorley Old Road. They have been trading since 1982 and have seven employees.

They were nominated by Associate Director Dave Starkie whose father was diagnosed with terminal cancer last year and then his three year-old daughter fell ill with a brain infection.

He paid tribute to Appletons for “the support they gave me and my family during this emotionally challenging time. Appletons’ strength was being able to grow as a business while being supportive to its staff “far beyond the norm.”

Added Dave: “As a long-standing Bolton company we are thrilled to be an Employer of the Year finalist and look forward to an evening of celebrations with the best of business in Bolton!”

Bolton Hospice

BOLTON Hospice says it has the town’s “hardest working and most dedicated staff.”

Now, it is a finalist for the Employer of the Year Award 2019.

At first glance, it may not seem a hospice is a great place to work. However, in reality, this remarkable organisation is populated by a terrific workforce which does everything from caring for patients to raising essential funds to keep vital services operational.

There is also a huge volunteer workforce which last year gifted it 123,000 hours in essential support to enable delivery of Hospice services.

Commented Hospice Chief Executive Leigh Vallance: “There are so many exceptional businesses in Bolton doing great things. To be recognised among them for the work we do, not only for the people we help but also for our hard-working employees, is a great achievement in itself as well as further acknowledgement and recognition of us in our community.”

Boo Coaching and Consulting Ltd

A BUSINESS that offers flexible working patterns and unlimited paid time off has been shortlisted for the Employer of the Year Award 2019.

Boo Coaching and Consulting Ltd is based in All Saints Street, Bolton, and has six employees. The small but expanding workforce has a strong focus on personal growth.

All members of the team have access to learning opportunities and are given the chance to follow their passions and play to their strengths. There is also a strong company commitment to caring about the mental health of colleagues.

Commented Becci Martin, Director of Coaching: “We’re thrilled to have been recognised as a great employer. We’re passionate about enabling organisations to build healthy leadership cultures where all colleagues can thrive.

The ExcluSec Group

A FIRM that strongly invests in the wellbeing of its staff is a finalist for the Employer of the Year Award 2019.

Security specialists The ExcluSec Group are an approved training provider with Highfield Qualifications and have the ability to closely facilitate and evaluate staff training.

They spend £500 per employee for training without receiving any funding and believe that training the workforce is fundamental in being a responsible employer. There is a full training programme and also opportunities for career progression.

Commented Michelle Bancroft, Group Quality and Compliance Director: “We believe that our people are at the forefront of our company. We invest heavily in staff welfare and wellbeing and appreciate that without our staff The ExcluSec Group would not exist.

“It’s a fantastic achievement to be a finalist as we believe that we do go above and beyond in ensuring we are the best employer we can be.”

Jewel Home Support

A BUSINESS that has grown phenomenally since starting two years ago is a finalist for the Employer of the Year Award 2019.

Jewel Home Support in Fletcher Street works in the home care industry and started with four employees in its office and 20 carers. Today, it has 15 office workers and 130 carers.

The company doesn’t believe in zero contracts so all its carers are on minimum 16 hours per week contracts although many choose to work far more. It recruits from existing, experienced workers and also people who have never worked in care or are returning to work.

Commented Latif Jiva, Business Development Lead: “Our innovative and supportive approach to staff is backed up by our low staff attrition rates as we give our people a flexible, supportive environment.

“This includes subsidising education courses for carers alongside an in-house counselling service to help address any non work-related matters.”