One hundred employees from across the James Hall Group of Companies have had their achievements recognised.
Held at the business’ Spar Distribution centre and head office at Bowland View, the James Hall Achievement Awards saw staff from a wide range of departments including Accounts, Facilities, Health and Safety, HR, Manufacturing, Marketing, Retail, Transport, Trading, and Warehouse receive accolades.
They were joined by colleagues from Fazila Foods, G.A.P Convenience Distribution, Clayton Park Bakery, and Alston Dairy who were also having their achievements honoured.
Many of those who were recognised at the ceremony were Apprenticeship achievers, and James Hall & Co. Ltd now offers opportunities for members of staff to develop their careers through Apprenticeship qualifications from Level 2 all the way up to Level 8.
The last 12 months has also seen James Hall & Co. Ltd pass through the £1million mark spent on developing staff through Apprenticeships since the Apprenticeship Levy was introduced in 2017.
Other qualifications recognised at the ceremony included NEBOSH. Jayne Morgan, who was recently appointed the company’s Health & Safety Director, was recognised for achieving her NEBOSH Diploma, gaining the highest mark nationally this year in passing the qualification.
Morgan said: “The course was challenging but I had great support from my colleagues at work, course participants, and the course provider. I learnt a lot about different industries and different approaches to improving employee and leadership engagement in Health and Safety.
“On a personal and professional level, it has increased my confidence and leadership style as I progressed to the position of Health and Safety Director. I have developed a vision for further improving the Health and Safety strategy for the company so we can continue to ensure the health and wellbeing of our employees and customers.”
Stan Hitchen, a trainee retail accountant, was another celebrating after passing his AAT Accountancy Level 4 qualification. He said: “I have built upon the foundational knowledge gained in earlier levels and it has provided me with a deeper understanding of complex accounting concepts and principles. I have developed the ability to analyse financial data, identify trends and make data-driven decisions.
“I’m enjoying my job and the theory I have learned in my studies is applied daily and it gives me confidence to carry out work to a high standard. I have now started my Chartered Institute of Management Accountants’ exams and by pursuing further professional qualifications I am hoping to excel and advance in my position once I have gained the relevant qualifications and experience.”
Georgia Rogers-Waterman, digital marketing assistant, celebrated achieving her Level 3 Apprenticeship in Digital Marketing. She said: “It feels fantastic to celebrate my achievement. University was not the right fit for me when I finished college, and I wanted to be surrounded by a team from whom I could learn from daily, feel valued by a local business, and earn while I was learning.
“Social media has been a key driver in many of our marketing campaigns, and I have been involved in many successful projects including Win With Every Goal, £10k To Getaway, Spinner Winner, and Spar’s launch on Deliveroo, as well as re-branding exercises and store launches. Post-apprenticeship, I have taken on more responsibility when it comes to planning, implementing, and reporting on our digital activity as a company.”
Emma Rowles, learning and development manager at James Hall & Co. Ltd, said: “I would like to congratulate all of our achievers and I was delighted to see such a breadth of variety to the departments represented at the ceremony and the range of qualifications that were being achieved.
“The knowledge, skills, and behaviours that have been developed through the qualifications will enable James Hall & Co. Ltd to continue progressing and moving forward as a business, and the £1million spent on Apprenticeships over the last six years was also a significant milestone for the company well worth celebrating.”
James Hall & Co. Ltd is a fifth-generation family business which serves a network of independent SPAR retailers and company-owned SPAR stores across Northern England six days a week from its base at Bowland View in Preston.
