RURAL EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR
This award will celebrate a business that seeks to attract, invest in, retain and reward talent – by developing strategy that promotes it as an employer of choice. We will look for evidence of how communication processes are developed with the aim to involve and engage employees in the businesses strategic development and in living the business brand.
Winning the hearts and minds of its employees will have resulted in sustained commercial and competitive success and also very high levels of customer satisfaction. The winning business will be one that works hard and plays hard and reflects its rural values by fostering a true sense of belonging and community. The winning business will be able to clearly demonstrate the following:
• Staff development, retention and recruitment
• High levels of employee engagement
• Excellent leadership and management
• Innovation and operational excellence
• An embedded ethical and rural focussed culture
• Creative and collaborative customer service
• Increased growth or market share
• Solid financial performance
The entry criteria provided act as a guide only. If you are unsure what to include or how to present it, please contact the RBA office.
PARTNER
“As such a highly regarded event, it is an enormous privilege for my team and I to once again be involved in sponsoring the Rural Business Awards. We strongly believe that accomplished companies in the rural sector deserve real recognition and these awards are the perfect way to go about it.” Janine Edwards.
Finalists 2017
Longthorne Gunmakers (Engineering Technologies & Manufacturing Ltd)
RURAL EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR FINALIST 2017
We manufacture 100% English sporting shotguns entirely in house. Previously located in the rural location of Hesketh Bank in Lancashire and working from a former ‘potting shed’, we relocated in October 2015 to our current premises to expand our manufacturing and be better located for staff and clients.
Hartley Farm Shop Ltd
RURAL EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR FINALIST 2017
We are a family farm based in the village of Winsley near Bath. We run a farm shop & restaurant business on our farm as well as a second site in the village of Atworth, on the Neston park Estate near Melksham. We produce, source and serve the very best food for our customers!
Mike Wye & Associates Ltd
RURAL EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR FINALIST 2017
Mike Wye & Associates is passionate about sustainable and environmentally conscious construction. We manufacture and supply lime mortars, plasters and limewash for a range of applications on both traditional and new build properties. We are one of the foremost UK suppliers of products that complement the materials that we manufacture such as natural hydraulic limes and natural insulation including recycled foam glass, cork, wood fibre boards and sheep’s wool.
T.Soanes & Son Poultry
RURAL EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR FINALIST 2017
Founded by Tom Soanes as a farm-based business in 1947, T.Soanes & Son is a family owned business which has been rearing and preparing poultry in Yorkshire for 70 years. We rear over 5 million birds per year on our 11 Yorkshire Wolds farms and sell our premium chicken to butchers, restaurateurs and independent retailers in Yorkshire and to wholesalers nationwide. We have a fleet of 14 vehicles and pride ourselves on servicing our accounts personally.
Wallops Wood Cottages
RURAL EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR FINALIST 2017
Six ground floor, multi-award winning family and pet friendly, accessible self-catering cottages converted from a former agricultural building. Each cottage sleeps 6-8 people (42 in total), Cottages have under floor heating, wood burners, hot tubs and stunning views over the Meon Valley. With easy access to Portsmouth, Winchester, Petersfield, Chichester and Southampton, there are beautiful walks direct from the door and numerous attractions close by.
Call
0116 380 0525
office@ruralbusinessawards.co.uk
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HALL OF FAME
Foxholes Farm
WINNER: RURAL EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR 2016
A farm shop, butchery and tea room based on a 1,000 acre farm near Ware in Hertfordshire, where the Foxholes family has farmed since just after World War Two.
DG Light Haulage Limited
RUNNER UP: RURAL EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR 2016
A transport, logistics and warehousing specialist covering UK and Europe from its bases in Derbyshire and Leicestershire.
Entry Guidelines
Download the full list of categories and entry guidelines here.
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