All posts by : Charlene Moore

The winner of our Kate Molton Award for September 2024 is HR Manager Glen Freitag.

Operations & HSEQ Manager, Brian Ramsay nominated Glen because he works tirelessly to support the Operation Managers and the Senior Management Team with difficult issues that arise. When the Operations Team need advice on how to deal with employment problems it is Glen that they turn to.  A lot of the work that Glen does goes on behind the scenes, his workload is huge, and he often works hours way above what his normal working week should be, to ensure that he is able to keep up with his caseloads.  Glen is always willing to go to site to assist and advise the managers and the cleaning teams. plus does all his own admin, producing letters and keeping employees records up to date. Often Glen is dealing with negative scenarios and having to do so week after week, this cannot be easy, but he does so without complaint . Glen is also a valuable point of contact and source of information to our clients.

In the time that Glen has been our HR Manager, he has gone over and above to make sure that bespoke is protected in all matters pertaining to employment law, and it is for all of the above reasons that I feel he is an invaluable member of the Head Office team and an extremely worthy nominee.”

Glen wins £100 of High Street vouchers, a smart bespoke quilted jacket, and one of our prestigious glass awards.  Congratulations Glen! 

Area Manager Maria Hall was nominated twice in August for the Kate Molton Award.  Maria was nominated by Angela Atkinson, Contract Manager Coleg Gwent and Senior Area Manager Toni Finn who  presents Maria with her award. 

Toni said:  “Maria has been an asset to me from the beginning.  Maria was an operative at Torfaen, she then applied for the CM vacancy and was offered the position.  In her new role, she restructured the team and gained their respect quickly.  Maria was then offered the Area Supervisor role to assist me on Coleg Gwent to which she helped over and above what is expected.  Maria often does hands on training, audits and has built a great relationship with the client. Now she is an Area Manager and is absolutely smashing it!  Maria’s attitude towards work is something to be admired.  She is always on hand to help anyone, and nothing is too much trouble. Maria is a pleasure to work with and to be honest I would be lost without her!”

Angela said: “I have nominated Maria because, even though I have only known Maria for a short time, I think she has been a great asset since assisting Toni with the Coleg Gwent contracts. Whenever I need information or advice on anything Maria has always been at the end of the phone or answered emails promptly. Maria has also been quick and eager to learn new methods and pass these on to other members of staff.  I know she has taken on other sites as well, and I’m sure she will be a great asset in whatever she does.”

Maria wins £100 of High Street vouchers, a smart bespoke quilted jacket, and one of our prestigious glass awards.  Congratulations Maria! 

Area Manager Maria Hall was thrilled to present Jason Walters, Cleaning Operative from Torfaen Learning Centre, Coleg Gwent with a brand new Mountain bike.  Jason’s bicycle was damaged a couple of years ago and he has been walking to work ever since.  When Jason was nominated for the July Kate Molton Award, the bespoke staff decided to use some of their fundraising money to replace his bicycle.

Jason has been walking the two miles from home and has never been late for work.  He is the first cleaner on site every day and is always willing to help, even on top of his own work.  Jason is reliable, dependable and a very valued member of the team.

Jason was overwhelmed and happy to receive his new bike and thanks everyone for their kindness.

Managing Director Jackie Woodall presents Grace Murphy with our July Kate Molton Award.  

Lez Nortcliff, Regional Director said “since I started working with Grace, I quickly realised that she knew the schools and teams like the back of her hand.  Grace works at St John Paul MAC and understands the needs of the staff and contract and works with new ideas and changes to improve things.  Grace took to our bespoke systems and procedures well and is a big fan or our Culverdocs forms.  Grace is also not afraid to make hard decisions or go through the hardest route to achieve the results we need to be ‘infinitely better’.  Grace does not rest on her laurels for an easy working life.  Grace has a wicked sense of humour and never fails to brighten a long or hard week with a laugh along the way”.

Grace wins £100 of High Street vouchers, a smart quilted jacket, and one of our prestigious glass awards.  Congratulations Grace!  

Our June winner for the Kate Molton Award is Contract Manager, Angela Atkinson form the Ebbw Vale site in Coleg Gwent.

Toni Finn, Senior Area Manager said “Angela has worked in the college for 35 years and has been with bespoke since day one of the contract.  She is without doubt one of the best Contract Managers I have worked with.  Her paperwork and organisation skills are the best I’ve ever seen.  

Angela has now semi-retired but will not retire completely because she is that committed to her role.  She often stays over her time to carry out additional training with staff or interview candidates.  Her team have nothing but the upmost respect for her and this shows in heaps and stacks as she always gets the best out of her team.  Angela really does deserve this win!   

Karen wins £100 of High Street vouchers, a smart quilted jacket, and one of our prestigious glass awards.  Congratulations Angela!  

Karen Burbridge from Custard Factory, Birmingham wins our Kate Molton Award for May 2024.

Contract Manager, Josh Abrahams nominated our May winner because of her incredible work ethic.  Karen has been a massive help dealing with urgent client requests, going above and beyond, plus her work areas always being immaculate.  Karen has also recently had a challenging time outside of work, but still maintained her high standards and her friendliness towards clients and tenants.  

Karen wins £100 of High Street vouchers, a smart quilted jacket, and one of our prestigious glass awards.  Congratulations Karen!