By Jamie White – Head of Communications
There was delight for team members at mystery shopping and performance improvement company, Douglas Stafford, after scooping two awards at The News Business Excellence Awards.
The ceremony opened with a few words from The News Editor, Mark Waldron, who said: “These awards once again demonstrate the wonderful things which are happening within our business communities – not just in Portsmouth, but throughout the surrounding areas.
“Wherever the judging panel turned, we found so many examples of remarkable achievements.”
This was followed by a speech by the Sir Keith Mills – principal of Team Origin, Britain’s America’s Cup team, and deputy chairman of the London 2012 Olympics organising committee – who then introduced a video message from Sir Ben Ainslie.
Ben Sargeant with Apprentice of the Year, Emily Bell
Douglas Stafford – which has its head office at Lakeside North Harbour, Portsmouth – received the Special Recognition Award in the hotly contested Large Business of the Year category. Holiday company, Lucketts Travel, scooped the winners’ accolade.
In the Special Achievement/Business Personality category, Douglas Stafford Managing Director, Ben Sargeant, received the Highly Commended award, and received his trophy from a representative of award sponsor, Menzies LLP.
Douglas Stafford had two tables at the awards, held at The Guildhall, Portsmouth, rewarding team members for their performance throughout 2014 and into 2015.
This year, Douglas Stafford also sponsored the Apprentice of the Year Award and formed part of the judging panel for the category. The accolade went to Emily Bell at Coffin Mew solicitors, ahead of NHS apprentice, Alice Appleford.
The awards follow a very successful 2014 for Douglas Stafford, which saw the company build on its success, winning more exciting new contracts with some of the UK’s leading companies, adding new products to its service range, taking on more staff and mystery shoppers, and retaining clients across a range of industry sectors.
