Fantastic achievements and dedication across the business were recognised at this year’s Sales Conference in the 2018 Recognition Awards.
Eight golden toilet awards were presented to teams and individuals who had been selected from a total of 66 nominations.
Managing Director Stephen Ewer, who presented the awards, said: “I’d like to congratulate all of the winners and nominees who did so much to help make 2018 a successful year.
“The nominations really brought to life all of the individual and team stories that underpinned everything we achieved and I’m delighted that we were able to recognise their efforts.”

The nominees and winners were as follows:

Unsung Hero Award

Nominees: Linda Bentley – Order Fulfilment Manager, Nicky Betts – Key Account Manager – Distribution, Sharon Brown – Team Leader, Office Services, Ilika Copeland – Channel Marketing Manager – Trade, Glyn Hyden – Home Pack Leader, Colette Jones – Customer Supply Chain Leader, John Lynham – Business Support Administrator, Ruth Myatt – Supply Planner, Mike Smelt – Product Manager – Non-Res VC and SO, Tracy Smith – Contract Management Manager, Helen Stretton – HR Operations Manager, Sabrina Wells-Burr – Finance Analyst – Sales

Winner: Sabrina Wells-Burr

“Sabrina is continually looking for better ways of reporting and analysing data to provide information to sales teams in user-friendly ways. Once, she was making such good use of data supplied by Ideal Bathrooms that they stopped providing it because we were ‘using it against them’! I’m certain every sales person from the trade team would support this nomination”

Hit The Ground Running Award

Nominees: Tom Ball – Business Development Executive, Neil Bills– Business Development Director, Chris Gosling – Supply Planner, Shani Kenny – DIY Account Team Leader, Jamie Maguire – Graduate Sales Executive, Sharon Purshouse – Key Accounts Administrator, Holly Simmons – Pre-Sales Manager – Contracts, Mandy Thomas – UK Pricing Manager, Tony Watson – Business Insight and Planning Manager, Melissa Wilson – Marketing Services Executive.

Winner: Tony Watson

“Tony has integrated into the business very well and is a source of consistent, comprehensive information on the market and competitors. He responds quickly to requests, meeting deadlines and helping to keep projects on track. The insight he provides is incredibly valuable and is already helping us win projects”

Team Of The Year Award

Nominees: Armitage Mailroom, Business Support – Independents, Commercial Finance Team, Contract Management/Sales Office Hull, Despatch Admin Team – Armitage, Distribution/Warehouse Team, DIY/Online, Logistics Team, Non-Residential, Product Management, Regional Housebuilders Team, Residential Channel, Supply Chain.

Joint winners:

Commercial Finance Team

“Embedded in sales teams, the Commercial Finance Team did a great job of supporting and challenging the channel leads. They developed reports and analysis, and delivered against ever-increasing demands within existing resources”

Supply Chain

“The Supply Chain Team provided excellent support and provided a new vision, driving through key initiatives. They managed relationships well with WUK in a very difficult year, working with deals which became more challenging every quarter but never complaining”

Most Improved Salesperson Award

Nominees: Tom Ball – Business Development Executive, Emma Gore – Key Account Manager – Residential, Jamie Maguire – Graduate Sales Executive, Nikesh Modi – Graduate Sales Executive, Joe Munday – Specification Manager – London, Steve Parker – Contract Sales Manager, Andy Warrington – Contract Sales Manager.

Winner: Nikesh Modi

“Nikesh has brought in above target sales, achieved multiple KPI targets and sets high standards for the rest of the team. When he joined the business in January 2018 he was quite quiet but his confidence has really grown over the year. He is always willing to help with initiatives and feedback from customers is very positive”

UK Salesperson Of The Year Award

Nominees: Jo Edwards – Trade Sales Director, Alex Hooley – Account Controller – St Gobain, Dave Laretta – Key Account Manager – Independents, Katy Mullan – Specification Manager, Julian Williams– Key Accounts Manager, Steve Young – Specification Manager – London.

Winner: Alex Hooley

“Alex has delivered on his commitments, over-achieving on AOP and helping secure the Supplier of the Year Award from Graham. He is ever present and has nurtured the relationship to the point that he is very well liked by the customer. Alex is helpful, responsive and always smiling”

Irish Salesperson Of The Year Award

Nominees: Triona McHugh – Specification Executive, John Murphy – Sales Executive, Ronan Mythen– Key Accounts Manager.

Winner: John Murphy

“John has been an Ideal Standard employee for over 20 years but his commitment and loyalty have never waned. He had an exceptional year in the specification channel and surpassed his targets by over 10% in a difficult year. He has built up a loyal customer base and delivers year on year as a result of his professionalism and experience”

Team Player Award

Nominees: Ryan Amos – IT Administrator, Tim Chappell – Director – Non-Residential Channel, Ilika Copeland – Channel Marketing Manager – Trade, Jo Edwards – Trade Sales Director, Emma Gore – Key Account Manager – Residential, Steve Raynes – Field Sales Manager, Ash Smith – Sector Marketing Executive, Ali Tilsley – Demand Creation Process Manager, Rachel Whittaker– Commercial Finance Business Partner, Jeff Williams – Category Manager – Non-Res and Brassware.

Winner: Jo Edwards

“Jo has provided exceptional leadership and peer support, not only to the National Account Controllers but to the whole SLT. Despite a very challenging year with Wolseley’s internal issues, she has remained positive. Jo was a driving force behind achieving the year end sales target but is also very keen for others to succeed”

Above and Beyond Award

Nominees: Gary Durber – Quality Engineer, Colette Jones – Customer Supply Chain Leader, Dave Larreta – Channel Marketing Manager – Trade, Katy Mullan – Non-Residential Key Account Manager, Vivienne Pearsons – Recruitment Manager.

Winner: Colette Jones

“Colette epitomises above and beyond, always helping and looking to improve the way we work. She is consistently focused but year end was exemplary. Quite simply, the UK business would not have hit the sales target without the support of Colette and her team”