Loyalty and hard work praised at Derry Building Services' annual apprentice and long service awards — list of all 15 award winners from the Newark firm can be found here
A director at a mechanical and electrical engineering firm has praised its staff for their service to the company.
Mr Brian Hughes, director at Derry Building Services, said rewarding hard-work and loyalty at the annual apprentice and long service awards is a reason behind the company’s continued success.
“It gives those involved a sense of achievement and gives them a goal to work towards,” said Mr Hughes.
“It also installed a bit of competition among themselves, but mainly, it was to recognise their achievements both with the business and as individuals.
“As we rely on loyalty, receiving the (long service) award is a big deal.”
The firm, based in Newark, employees more than 240 people and has a retention rate of more than 90% over the last ten years.
At the 15th edition of the awards, 15 employees were rewarded for their hard work over the last 12 months.
Apprentice of the year winner, Mr Henry McNeil-Hickling, 20, of Balderton, is heading into his fifth year at DBS having joined straight from school.
He said: “It was the best thing I could have done.
“Working here has changed me as a person — it has helped me grow up.
“I have been all over the UK and it has been a great experience.”
Mr Nathan Wilson, 23, from Tuxford, won an apprentice award for the second time in four years.
He said: “The four years here have gone really quickly.
“I have a lot more responsibilities now and to win my second award is an honour.”
Winners in full: Electrical apprentice: Jake Geary, Jake Roche, Josh Moran and Nathan Wilson; mechanical apprentice: Oliver Jones, Rory Maclean, and Henry McNeil-Hickling; ten years’ service: Sean Taylor, Ben Coope, Keanan Horan, Josh Wisbey, and Marika Ayers; 25 years’ service: Andy Smeeton, Mark Smith, and Matt Bainbridge.
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