Member Article

Procure Plus Employee Recognised as a Leader

Ann-Marie Hopkins, senior regeneration manager at Procure Plus, has been shortlisted for the Living Wage Leadership Awards 2015 in the North West.

The awards recognise the life changing impact individuals have made by leading the way on the Living Wage Campaign within communities.

Ann-Marie was entered into the category thanks to her tenacity and passion for leading the delivery of fair pay across the region – regardless of individuals’ experience or role.

The Living Wage is an hourly rate set independently and updated annually, and calculated according to the basic cost of living using the ‘Minimum Income Standard’ for the UK. Decisions about what to include in this standard are set by the public; it is a social consensus about what people need to make ends meet.

Ann-Marie commented: “The Living Wage is extremely important to me and to my colleagues at Procure Plus. After I researched what it took to become a Living Wage employer, I worked hard to ensure the consortium was among some of the first businesses to adopt the standard in the North West.

“Following our accreditation, I realised that our work with apprentices meant we needed to do more to ensure trainees receive fair pay too. That’s why we introduced the Living Wage Plus. To be considered for this award is incredible, especially when the foundation’s values are so close to my own.”

Employers choose to pay the Living Wage on a voluntary basis. The Living Wage enjoys cross party support.

Living Wage Foundation Director, Rhys Moore said: “Congratulations to Ann-Marie on being shortlisted for the Living Wage Leadership Award winner for the North West region. The voices of people are at the heart of our organisation, and it is wonderful to have Ann-Marie leading the way in Manchester. We want to celebrate the individuals making a real difference to families and communities across the UK. Thank you very much for championing the Living Wage.”

The Award Winners will be announced during Living Wage Week 2015, with one winner announced for each region of the UK: Scotland; Wales; Northern Ireland; the East Midlands; the West Midlands; the East of England; Yorkshire and the Humber; North East England; North West England; South East England; South West England; and London.

The awards are judged by an independent panel of community leaders from Citizens UK, national community organising charity and home of the Living Wage campaign.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Procure Plus .