Awards: Gripple, Driver Hire, Shepcote
MANUFACTURER Gripple has been shortlisted for the International Business of the Year in the 2015 UK Private Business Awards.
One of four finalists, the Sheffield-based, employee-owned firm was selected from 2,000 applicants.
Gordon Macrae, Gripple’s special projects manager, commented: “To have got this far is a fantastic accolade for everyone in the business. Congratulations to them all for their tremendous effort.”
The UK Private Business Awards are sponsored by PwC.
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BRADFORD recruitment firm Driver Hire achieved a place in the silver-category for Franchisor of the Year at the 2015 bfa HSBC awards.
Chris Chidley, Driver Hire’s chief executive and its franchise sales director, Graham Duckworth, from Driver Hire, received their award at a special awards evening held at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Birmingham. It was presented to them by Andy Brattesani, head of franchising at HSBC; Cathryn Hayes, head of business support at the bfa; and Sean Hammond, classified advertising manager for Express Newspapers.
Chris Chidley said: “It’s wonderful for our business to be recognised in this way.
“Of course, the ultimate proof of success lies in the trading record and profitability of individual franchisees. The Driver Hire network is seeing strong growth in 2015, building on record trading in both of the last two years, which saw 20% year-on-year turnover increases. That speaks volumes about our business model – and the quality of a Driver Hire franchise.”
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FOOD manufacturer Shepcote has achieved BRC accreditation.
The British Retail Consortium accreditation means that it meets the organisation’s global standards for safety and quality.
Shepcote quality systems manager Neal Bolton stated; ‘It has taken almost 13 months to get to the point of accreditation. It was hard work for everyone concerned as the standards are extremely rigorous but to be awarded a Grade
“A only just serves to make that effort all the more worthwhile and testament to the commitment shown by everyone involved in the process. BRC has the potential to open many doors that have hitherto remained closed to Shepcote’.
