President & People
Metcloud shortlisted for Investors in People award Metcloud has made the final shortlist for The Investors in People Awards 2021, in the UK Employer of the Year Gold category. In a record-breaking year for entries, with nearly three hundred organisations involved, this is an outstanding achievement and one that everyone at the company is proud of.
Where has this year gone? I truly cannot believe it has been a year since I had the honour of becoming President of this great and historic Chamber of Commerce, and, in my humble opinion, there are none better! What a year it has been, I am probably the first President in our Chamber’s history that had to put the Chain of Office over their own head due to the Covid restrictions in place at the time. Fast forward nearly 12 months and due to the success of the vaccine we are in a slightly better position, not that we can take anything for granted, as the virus is still with us and people are still testing positive; even those who have been double jabbed. I should know, as I was one of those individuals, although double jabbed that still tested positive after attending a public event and had to isolate for ten days. Thankfully, I had extremely mild symptoms, however people are still losing friends and family, indeed sadly I lost a very good friend to Covid in late October. So, my message to everyone especially over the festive period, is simply to remain aware, don’t be too blasé, if you feel comfortable wearing a mask and regularly sanitizing your hands, just do it and don’t be swayed by peer pressure, stay safe and stay well. As I reflect on my first 12 months in office, I can genuinely state that after restrictions eased somewhat, that I have thoroughly enjoyed getting out and meeting Chamber members, either at events or through visiting their premises. I have enjoyed being able to support and promote a wide range of businesses through the Chamber’s initiatives of “Building Back Stronger” and “Let’s Talk Business”. I have also enjoyed getting to know the Chamber of Commerce staff, those that I have met are truly outstanding in everything that they do, hardworking, personable and a credit to this organisation; thank you to each and every one of you that has helped me during this first year, especially Chris, Hazel, Sean and Gemma and I look forward to working with you all over the next 12 months. Although late starting due to the pandemic, I would also say congratulations to Chenine Bhathena, Martin Sutherland and the team for the truly brilliant work they have done and continue to do during our City of Culture year. In my opinion, the city has been transformed, there have been many highlights; including The Assembly Festival Garden, The Choir of Man, The Turner Prize and, for me, the most moving was Little Amal (The Walk). I had the good fortune of witnessing the event with Louise Bennett on a quite chilly windy evening, but it will live long in the memory, as it was in equal measures one of the most moving and spectacular events to date. Speaking of Louise, I cannot let it pass without saying a huge thank you to her for the help and support offered to me during my first year in office. I don’t think I have ever met such a hardworking and totally dedicated person as Louise, she is one exceptional lady. Finally, as President of the Chamber I want to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Peaceful and Prosperous New Year. Best regards Tom Mongan
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The Investors in People Awards celebrate the very best organisations and individuals from around the world across various organisational, people, wellbeing and leadership categories. Each year, hundreds of organisations from the UK and abroad battle it out to take home one of the soughtafter trophies to show their award-winning commitment to investing in their people.
Sonia Vickers, head of HR at Metcloud, said: “It’s a privilege to be shortlisted for this prestigious award, a clear indication of the dedication and hard work the team has invested in the business.” Paul Devoy, CEO of Investors in People, aid: “Now in our eighth year, it always makes me feel immensely proud to see so many fantastic organisations staking their claim to be the best. Every year, the entries do get more and more competitive and the judging even tighter. Reaching the final shortlist is a testament to the amazing commitment these organisations are making to make work better for their people, and they truly deserve this recognition.” The winners will be announced at an online ceremony on November 23.
For the full shortlist and more information about Investors in People, visit www.investorsinpeopleawards.com. The Investors in People Awards 2021 are proudly sponsored by Activate Apprenticeships, Ambu, Boost Awards, CIPD, Fineprint, Gaudio Awards, Make a Difference Summits, The Youth Group, Troup Bywaters + Anders, United Grand Lodge of England, WAVE Refrigeration and Working Families.
The unsung professional heroes of the pandemic Charlie Higgins, Tina Chander (both Wright Hassall) and Matthew Hammersley (C&W Chamber)
A leading Midlands law firm led a toast to the unsung professional heroes of the pandemic, celebrating the work of HR departments across the region. Leamington-based Wright Hassall hosted more than thirty-five workforce professionals at its recent HR Leaders Networking and Afternoon Tea event, with plenty of cuppas, cakes and tips of the employment trade shared amongst peers. The two-hour event was held as a way to highlight the work of HR departments
across Warwickshire and the West Midlands during and after the pandemic, as well as resolve any burning employment law questions. Guests were given the chance to talk to Wright Hassall’s employment law team and meet other HR professionals in a relaxed and informal setting at the law firm’s Leamington offices at Tachbrook Park. Tina Chander, Head of Employment Law at Wright Hassall, said: “This event was an excellent way to celebrate the incredible work that the region’s HR teams have done since the start of the pandemic. “It allowed peers to reflect on some of the biggest issues they have faced and talk shop about the latest challenges in the HR profession, with the added bonus of free treats and refreshments for all.
“HR departments have worked continuously throughout the pandemic to support us as we adapted to new ways of working and kept businesses going during a prolonged period of uncertainty. “There were naturally a host of employee issues in response to the pandemic, and these people were tasked with coping with and resolving all of these, which no one could have foreseen before the first national lockdown. “I’d like to thank all who attended for the fantastic work they have done over the last 18 months.” For more information about Wright Hassall’s work in Employment Law and HR visit wrighthassall.co.uk/expertise/ employment-law-and-hr
Two Neil’s Collaboration Two local businessmen have been collaborating over recent months as they seek to highlight some of the hidden gems of Coventry and Warwickshire. The businessmen, who coincidentally are both called Neil, met at a recent business networking event. Neil Porter, a local photographer from “Capture Life” was proudly displaying his t-shirt which had a photo of Chesterton Windmill from South Warwickshire at the event. Neil Young, a local independent Financial Adviser at “Plan with Neil”, was unaware of the windmill’s existence and thought it would be ideal for his “Hidden Gems” series on his YouTube Channel, Elephant & Bear. Neil Young said, “Coventry and Warwickshire, has so many hidden gems that I want to find them and highlight them to viewers through my YouTube channel and podcast, when I spotted the Windmill, I knew it would make great content for it”. “I asked Neil to help me with the video as his photos of the Windmill are so fantastic”. Neil Porter was delighted to support so they met up to record a video at the site in October. Neil Porter said “Chesterton Windmill is a real highlight of Warwickshire; it is such as tranquil place. It is a joy to visit it at any point of the year”.
The windmill is located south of Leamington on the aptly named “Windmill Hill Lane”. It is available to visit at any time, and twice a year the windmill building is open for the public to see inside. Since recording the video, Neil Porter has also appeared on Neil Young’s Elephant and Bear Podcast, which is launching in the coming months. This podcast has guests on from across the area such as Aaron Ashmore from Etch & Pin and Steve Tyrell who hosts popular YouTube channel “Narrowboat Precious Jet”. The podcast and YouTube channel are all focused on Coventry and Warwickshire. Neil Young set it up for two reasons, one is to promote his new financial planning business, Plan with Neil and the second is because Neil is passionate about showing off all the things the area has to offer. Neil Young said “I have lived in Coventry, practically all my life and I’m proud to be a local business. When I was thinking about ways to promote my business, I wanted to do things a bit different. So, I decided that promoting the local area, with small adverts about my financial advice business could work”. Neil Porter’s photography has also been used by Plan with Neil client reports.
Neil Porter told the Chamber “This type of collaboration is exactly the type of thing I was looking for when I started networking. For my photography, I work with individuals and companies, taking photos of people, their homes for sale as well as iconic locations across Coventry”. You can find out more about Neil Porter’s photography at www.CaptureLife.uk. Neil Young’s Financial advice firm can be found at www.planwithneil.com. The YouTube channel and podcast can be found by searching for “Elephant & Bear”.
www.cw-chamber.co.uk
