Member Article

Culture for Success championed in North East

The North East service sector was recognised for its achievements at an awards ceremony held at the Marriott Gosforth Park last week. The Culture for Success Awards, hosted by Service Network, reward companies that invest in their own workforce, while also promoting customer care.

Overall winner Darlington Building Society has had a fantastic year, despite concerns experienced nationally across the financial sector, with a high customer retention rate and growth of 13%. This is also reflected in their staff, where development and recognition of young talent is seen as a way of refreshing the organisation. Explain Market Research, law firm Muckle LLP and John Lewis were all commended for their approaches to employee development and customer care.

Leading North East businessman and awards judge David Bowles said: “It is tremendous to see the time, effort and resource that companies direct towards the development of what I perceive to be potentially their most important asset; their people. “Judging the award was an interesting although exceedingly difficult task. The range of initiatives developed by companies in a bid to engender a culture for success, not only for their own business, but for their customers and the region as a whole, is truly inspirational.”

Peter Rowley, Chief Executive of Darlington Building Society, said: “We are delighted to receive this award. I would like to pay tribute to all staff at Darlington Building Society for making the society such a well respected and well regarded financial services organisation.”

Dan Brophy, chair of Service Network and compare on the evening added: “The development and progression of the region’s service sector is at the heart of what Service Network is all about. It is an honour to come together with some of the region’s most dynamic, aspirational businesses to celebrate these achievements.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .