Past winners
2007 / 2008 Britain's Best Boss winner
Chris Brindley
Regional Managing Director for NatWest North
Chris Brindley comments:
"NatWest is a very large organisation, but I don’t want it to be an impersonal place to work. I want staff to feel that they are part of our family. A person’s working life impacts on their home life and on the wider community, so being a good leader is about supporting your staff in both their professional and personal development.
Work-life balance is clearly of great importance to Chris personally: "I have a brilliant work-life balance. Money can’t ever replace time with children. I tell everyone what my priorities are and about my values. If I am a great boss that is fantastic but I also want to be a great dad, and that is just as important."
Sarah Jackson OBE, Chief Executive of Working Families, comments:
"Chris Brindley embodies the success at work and success at home which we are looking for; importantly he shows that they are not incompatible."
Special commendation went to:
Graeme Kalbraier, Managing Director, Call Connection
Joy Kingsley, Managing Partner, Pannone
William J Gallagher, Service Manager, Leonard Cheshire
2006 Britain's Best Boss winner
Bruce Draper
Geotechnical Instruments
Bruce Draper of engineering company Geotechnical Instruments was named as the Working Families Best Boss of 2006 after being nominated by his PA Hannah Delany.
"Bruce cares about his staff and never takes them for granted. He appears friendly, approachable and kind and makes sure everyone is content in their job. He sees the potential in people and makes sure the right environment and encouragement is there for them to grow", said Hannah.
Bruce caught the eye of the Best Boss judges because he has turned around a very traditional engineering company culture by introducing an extensive array of employee benefits. He says his team most values the flexible working on offer at Geotechnical Instruments – the 85 employees have more than 40 different working patterns and some work part-time or term-time only – and the “guilt-free” time off for family emergencies. The company also offers childcare vouchers, free medical insurance, counselling sessions and even free breakfasts and fruit. This has had very positive effects for the business, which is now a successful small manufacturer, with a very low turnover of staff and absence levels.
Sarah Jackson, Chief Executive of Working Families said:
"Bruce Draper demonstrates how an inspiring, people-orientated boss can completely change the culture of a company. He has not only made Geotechnical Instruments a great place work, but, in so doing, made it more effective, productive and profitable."
Special commendation went to:
Lesley Cowley, CEO of Nominet, for "encouraging a ‘can do’ attitude and supportive culture, as well as promoting flexibility as a route to success".
Alan Kirkham of Wakefield Council, for "promoting a work environment that is stimulating, outcome-focused, flexible and fun".
Karen Newton of Credit Suisse for "facilitating a range of working styles, to maximise opportunities for individuals in her workforce".
Rosie Pressland of Pocklington Montessori School for "being a great role model, who provides her staff with the opportunity to grow and develop".
2005 Britain's Best Boss winner
Iwan Owen
North Wales Police Sergeant
North Wales Police Sergeant Iwan Owen has beaten off stiff competition from across the UK to win the Working Families 'Britain's Best Boss' competition. The first Welsh winner of the award, Iwan was nominated by his entire team for his practical, supportive and consultative approach to work-life balance practices which has resulted in a happy and valued work-force.
Iwan manages the Western Division Professional Development Unit and is responsible for six tutors who train student police officers in law enforcement, coaching them through the everyday incidents which happen out on the streets. He says that the key to being a good boss is simply to ‘trust your staff’ and as a result leads a highly motivated and almost self-managing team.
Sarah Jackson, Chief Executive of Working Families said:
"We have had a record number of entries this year and Iwan has won through a very competitive field of inspiring bosses. His story shows that trusting your team and allowing them a great deal of autonomy and flexibility, not only results in a highly motivated group of people, but also in excellent performance and measurable results."
Special commendation went to:
Janice Sheath of 5 Boroughs NHS Trust for exceptional leadership skills.
Kevin O’Sullivan of O’Sullivan Cleary C.A for a positive team approach and ‘can do’ attitude.
David Irvine of Odin Consulting Engineers for creating a lively and effective working environment.
Lloyd Fletcher of the Institute of Physics Publishing for championing innovative family friendly policies.
2004 Britain's Best Boss winner
Ros Micklem
Principal of Cardonald College in Glasgow
Ros Micklem, principal of Cardonald College in Glasgow has won the coveted Working Families award "Britain's Best Boss". The judges were impressed by the way she has initiated and implemented work-life balance policies which have not only made a huge difference to her 600 staff, but also the thousands of students they teach at the college.
Ros was chosen as Britain's Best Boss from a strong field, and her managerial style is a positive example of how a people-centered approach can win spectacular dividends. At Cardonald College, policies such as paid parental and emergency leave have seen turn-over and absenteeism remain at low levels, whilst benefits like free neck and shoulder massages, yoga and positive thinking workshops all help build morale.
Of her managing style Ros said, "We work hard to create a great working environment. If my employees are happy and working well, then the students are getting the most from their learning and at the end of the day that’s why we’re here."
Sarah Jackson, Chief Executive of Working Families, said:
"Ros has shown that treating staff well in an educational environment, not only makes for good industrial relations and low staff turnover, but also leads to better outcomes for students. Like our previous winners from other sectors, she has proved that enabling work-life balance for individuals makes for a 'win-win' situation for everyone involved."
Special commendation went to:
Jan Tinsley for Creating a Flexible and Effective Working Environment - Marketing Director, Practice Plan Ltd, Oswestry, Shrops.
Karl Suchy for Inspiring and Motivating his Team - Regional Business Manager, Aventis Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Bristol.
Keith Owen for his Proactive Approach to Promoting Work-life Balance - Group Train Services Manager, First Great Western, Exeter.
Vivienne Hoskins for Recognising Individual Needs for Flexibility - Director, Oxfordshire Children's Information Service.
2003 Britain's Best Boss winner
Emma Brandon
Senior Charge Nurse for Norwich Mental Healthcare NHS Trust
Senior Charge Nurse Emma Brandon is the 2003 Best Boss. Emma, who works for the Norwich Mental Healthcare NHS Trust, manages a 20-bed ward looking after long term patients with severe mental health problems. The competition judges were impressed by the dynamic environment Emma has created. By treating staff as individuals, giving them some control and input into shift patterns, she has brought out the best in everybody. Her ward has become a magnet for new staff and a happy, rewarding environment for everyone.
Emma is a good example of why Working Families run the Best Boss competition because she shows her peers around the health service - and indeed managers everywhere - how individual managers can make a huge difference to the working lives of those who work for them, by giving them some flexibility and control over how and when they work.
Emma says: "I believe I have helped create a happier working environment, which has allowed staff to develop their skills and roles and encourages team working. At the heart of this is a flexible working system which helps meet people's needs, whilst meeting the clinical needs of our clients. Staff sickness levels here are now well below the national average, we communicate better and we are much more patient-centred. And our clients have responded amazingly: levels of shouting, abuse and violence have lowered dramatically."
Special commendation went to:
Della Garmory, Personnel Manager, Nationwide Building Society
Kevin Bennett, Director, Ford Motor Company
Mark Harris, Employee Services Director, Lands End Direct Merchants Ltd
2002 Britain's Best Boss winner
Ian Barnard
Head of Benefits at Cogent Investment Operations Ltd
A City of London manager and father of two, Ian has encouraged a level of flexibility in his team that sets a great example to the rest of the financial services industry. He has championed flexible working within Cogent by introducing annualised hours, home working, remote and part-time working.
Ian says: "We had a staffing crisis and I tried to come up with a win–win for staff and company. We now have cover for longer periods and we handle the peaks and troughs of business better. Most people work nine day fortnights and we've found that plenty of our work can be done from home. Productivity has risen and the extra 20 days ‘holiday' staff now enjoy (due to compressed working) has drastically reduced our previously high staff turnover."
Special commendation went to:
Madi Sharma, Managing Director, Original Eastern Foods
Karen Billany, Senior Charge Nurse, Orthopaedics Ward, Hull Royal Infirmary
Heather Foote, Senior Manager, West Bromwich Building Society
Sharon Macnamara, Advertising Manager, Jersey Evening Post
2001 Britain's Best Boss winner
Kevin Coleman
Managing Director of Swift Construction GB
Best Boss 2001 Kevin Coleman, Managing Director of Swift Construction GB in Surrey, runs a successful interior refurbishment company. A new parent himself, he says his flexible and family friendly approach has resulted in loyalty from employees, sub-contractors and clients.
"I'm flexible with the clients and I'm flexible with the workforce, and that breeds understanding and trust on all sides," he says. "My staff are very loyal and committed and are rarely off sick, so clients know they can always rely on us.
"Our hours are 8am to 4.30pm and our closing time is set in stone, so everyone can see their kids and get in quality time at home. Clients accept our policy - of course there is an emergency number, but we try to set clear boundaries. Time at home with our families won't come back."
Swift Office Manager Debbie Hodge, who nominated Kevin, says he always urges everyone to put their children's welfare first and is quick to offer time off and practical help when domestic problems arise. Unusually for a small business, the company has a written policy outlining parental leave and flexible working options. Three of fifteen PAYE staff work part-time.
Winning Best Boss resulted in a great deal of media coverage for Swift and Kevin and, he says, higher status at his bank!
Special commendation went to:
Angela Wright, Managing Director, Crealy Adventure Park
Julie Spencer-Cingoz, Chief Executive, BIBIC
Karen Foard, Senior Manager, Technological Development, Nationwide Building Society, Head Office
2000 Britain's Best Boss winner
Lin Dickens
Managing Director, Aricot Vert Design
"Working flexibly does not mean working less. In fact, it is 'smart-working' people who ensure that goals are met," says Britain's first Best Boss Lin Dickens. "We find that confident teams produce better creativity because there is a greater feeling of trust amongst everyone and people are encouraged to go beyond their job descriptions. In addition, if we show flexibility to an employee, invariably they will show us greater flexibility at times of heavy workload or during holiday periods."
Lin Dickens is Managing Director of Aricot Vert Design, a graphic design company which she started in the bedroom of her family home when she was 21. Now employing 17 staff and growing rapidly, the company's turnover grew 40 per cent last year to £1.3 million. Staff appraisals and training are built into the business, as are whole team meetings, monthly staff social activities and even visits from an Indian head masseur.
"Lin stood out as being especially inspirational with her strongly held belief that people should 'get away from the guilt trip around balancing work and home'," says Sarah Jackson, Chief Executive of Parents at Work and a judge of the Best Boss competition. Lin recognises there is a strong business rationale for work-life balance practices and all Aricot Vert staff, including herself, can work flexible hours as necessary. She has three young children and a naval officer husband who is often away at sea. She says: "I hope this competition will show other managers in the UK that work-life balance isn't an unobtainable ideal, but can work very successfully, allowing businesses to really reap the benefits of high levels of creativity, productivity and staff retention."
Special commendation went to:
Arthur Allen, Managing Director, Listawood Ltd
Cathy Callus, Training Manager, Happy Computers Ltd
Carol and Ian Weir, Directors, Ece Systems (Turnkey) Ltd
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Entry for nominations closed on 15th July 2009
To review your complete entry login here.
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Entry for nominations closed on 28th July 2009
To review your complete entry login here.
About the competition
Each year, Working Families honours the unsung heroes of the Great British workplace. To find out more about the competition and learn what makes Britain’s Best Boss click here.
Best Boss tips
To learn more about the characteristics that make a boss one of Britain's Best, click here.
About Working Families
Click here to learn more about Working Families and how we help working parents, carers and employers balance their work and home lives.