Training Award: Sponsored by RTITB – Eddie Stobart (ESL)

A new, dedicated, £1 million training academy is at the heart of Stobart’s drive to maintain staff standards, seeing 750 new starters inducted per year which has seen accident frequency rates drop to 0.06%, a fall of 50%+ in a year, as did RIDDOR reportable accidents on ESL sites in 2013.

Team of the Year: Sponsored by Clarion Events – Boughey Distribution

Boughey’s IT team have proved outstanding, absorbing a massive (116%+) uplift in business IT support cases with 85% resolved within 24 hours last year. Several in house projects saw processing costs down over 25% and the group introduced BougheyNET drastically improving customer service.

Customer Service Award: Sponsored by Briggs Equipment UK – Eddie Stobart (ESL) with A G Barr

A completely redesigned facility in Milton Keynes was a bespoke operation for established client Barr which went ahead with no noticeable effect on service levels spoke volumes to the judges.

Warehouse Manager of the Year: Sponsored by Knapp UK Ltd. – Natalie Wilkinson, Potter Logistics

Five years in her role as boss at the group’s Ely Distribution Centre led to Natalie’s design and implementation of a reward scheme which increased ‘near miss’ reporting and produced a jump in the group Safety Audit of 96% whilst she also managed to improve stock accuracy and saved on overheads.

Young Employee of the Year: Sponsored by Hoppecke Industrial Batteries – Lily Arnold, PF Whitehead Logistics

Lily’s dedication at a young age, she started in 2011 at just 16, has led to her role supporting many valued warehouse and pallet distribution clients, often working with no complaint beyond her contracted times to ensure the job is done.

Junior Manager of the Year: Sponsored by Aisle Master – Nick Godden, Wincanton

27 year old Nick started in 2007 as a fork lift truck driver and has reached the level of shift supervisor with a management job firmly in his sights. He has proved adept at managing people and extracting the best from processes and systems.

Chairman’s Award: Sponsored by Hörmann – Ian Speak, Bibby Distribution

In the personal gift of the Chairman the award went to someone who, although unable to take up an official UKWA post, has worked whenever possible to further the works of the UKWA.

The awards ceremony was preceded by the UKWA’s top two executives, Chairman John Maguire and CEO Roger Williams who advised the UKWA was in good health and prepared for an imminent move from its Walter House headquarters, speeches accentuating the two mens very different styles, and also by an unexpected flute solo from Mick Davison, who the company was assured, had learnt to play specifically for the event, hard to credit given his level of competence. The whole affair was rounded off unusually but appropriately given the date and the company, with the full version of ‘Lily Marlene’ sung by those present with enough fortitude, or red wine, to feel able to join in.

Photo: Not your average Awards picture – Mick Davison living the dream as an appreciative (and possibly slightly bewildered) Gyles Brandreth sits in the shadows.