Member Article

Hunt is on for the unsung superstars of North East business

The unsung heroes and heroines that keep the wheels of North East business turning are being celebrated in a glittering new awards ceremony that will recognise them as the heroes they really are.

The Superstar Awards, organised by Entrust and Pitman Training Newcastle, are a chance for the region’s very best office managers, PAs, secretaries, receptionists, accounting technicians and customer service staff, to take a bow.

Newcastle-based business and enterprise support organisation Entrust recently acquired the city’s branch of specialist secretarial, book-keeping and IT trainer, Pitman Training. The Superstar Awards is the new name for an award previously run by Pitman to pick The Best Secretary on Tyneside.

Dan Brophy, Entrust CEO, said: “We’re proud to bring Pitman Training Newcastle under the Entrust umbrella and delighted to be launching the Superstar Awards with them.

“Pitman Training was this year recognised as a Business Superbrand, joining names such as Google, Apple and British Airways as one of the strongest brands in the UK. The Newcastle branch is a great addition to the Entrust group, and we’re looking forward to honouring the very best of the North East’s unsung Superstars in our new awards.”

Nominations are now open for the Superstar Awards, with categories including Number Cruncher, PA Extraordinaire, Virtual-ly the Best, Most Studious One, Customer Service Star, Jack or Jill of All Trades, and the overall 2013 Superstar. The awards will be presented at a fun and informal evening for the shortlisted Superstars, their families and friends at As You Like it in Jesmond, on Wednesday 20 November.

Jill Duffy, Centre Manager of Pitman Training Newcastle said: “We would like businesses to nominate the superstars that really make a difference in their workplace and who often don’t get the recognition they deserve.

“We want to know why they’re so important to you and what they’ve done for your business, so we can give them a big superstar pat on the back.”

Pitman Training Newcastle, which is named after shorthand inventor Sir Isaac Pitman, equips staff with the office and IT skills vital to any successful business.

Nominations for the Superstar Awards close at 8pm on Friday 25 October and nomination forms can be downloaded from the website at www.superstarawards.co.uk, where you’ll also find more information. Tickets for the awards ceremony, which cost £12 + VAT, will be on sale soon.

The Superstar Awards categories, from which the overall Superstar will be chosen, are:

The Number Cruncher Sponsored by RMT - Recognising those with a good head for figures, whether working in a support role within an accountants firm, or in the finance department of an organisation, the accounting technician will be practised at handling a varied workload that may include supporting with tasks such as staff payroll, accounts, bookkeeping, invoicing and credit control, staff expenses, budgets and report writing.

Virtual-ly the Best Assistant Sponsored by Newcastle Business Village, Clavering House – Honouring the best Virtual Assistants (VA), many of whom work from home or remotely for more than one client, to provide professional, administrative, technical, or creative (social) assistance to clients providing that much needed support as and when required.

PA Extraordinaire Sponsored by GEM Partnership – Highlighting the role of PAs - sometimes known as an executive secretary or private secretary – who work closely with senior managerial or directorial staff to provide administrative support, usually on a one-to-one basis.

Customer Service Star – Giving a pat on the back to those who go the extra mile to really look after their customers, whether that’s over the phone, face to face or by email.

Jack or Jill of All Trades – Recognising the person who does anything and everything in their role, who never says: ’‘That’s not my job!’ and happily gets on with any task they are faced with – and with a smile!

Most Studious One Sponsored by Pitman Training Newcastle – Honouring the best Pitman Training Newcastle student studying for a professional qualification.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Astute.Work .