Ward Security rewards its Star Performers

There was a real feelgood factor at this year’s Ward Security Annual Employee Awards Dinner, where the company’s most dedicated employees were rewarded for their efforts over the past year.

Now in its fourth year, the awards recognise those members of staff who have gone the extra mile in carrying out their duties in 2010. With the business continuing to go from strength to strength, it is those same staff members who are helping to drive the company forward.

The Rochester-based bespoke security solutions provider employs more than 300 people, all of whom reflect the company’s high standards, so when you’re talking about the winners, they really are the best of the best.

As always some of the biggest names in the security industry were in attendance including Edward Weiss, Board member of the Security Industry Authority (SIA), and Terry O’Neil, Chairman of the Security Watchdog. Also in attendance were Keith Hanson, chief exhibitor of the Crown Jewels, last year’s guest speaker, Moira Cameron, the first ever female Yeoman Warder at the Tower of London, and more than 100 staff and clients.

Gathered at Oakwood House in Maidstone, Kent, the audience was treated to an absorbing speech by another special guest, Keith Phipps, Principal Doorkeeper of the House of Lords. Being part of proceedings, Keith was able to entertain the audience with an enlightening insight into the pomp and ceremony created by such royal occasions as the annual State Opening of Parliament.

Apart from being his boss, Keith explained the significance of the “Gentlemen Usher of the Black Rod,” why he gets the House of Commons door slammed in his face every year and why in turn he strikes the door three times to gain entry. He also highlighted the amusing account of a more recently introduced and somewhat bizarre tradition whereby having gained entry to the House of Commons, Black Rod suffers in a friendly jibe from the outspoken Labour MP Dennis Skinner!

After a four-course meal, it was appropriate to honour the real ‘jewels’ of the occasion, the Ward Security employees, all of whom had shown a willingness to go beyond the call of duty providing security services to a wide range of clients.

Employees eligible to attend were those who had previously won a regional “Employee of the Month” award during 2010. This award would have been nominated by their client or other staff member in recognition of their reliability, high standards of service or for having exceeded expectations in their performance.

After dinner, the winners of the five Regional Awards for were announced, along with a Special Commendation award, and for the first time, a Head Office Employee award. All seven winners were presented with an engraved trophy and £250 of vouchers.

On top of this, Ward Security also likes to recognise one employee who has consistently gone above and beyond the call of duty by naming him or her Employee of the Year. This year the top award, presented by Edward Weiss, was presented to Jeff Legendre, a long-standing security officer, who picked up an engraved plaque along with £1000 of vouchers.

Regarding the attributes of this year’s winner, Operations Director Kevin Ward said: “We are mindful that everyone at Ward Security gives 100% most of the time and this is one of the reasons why we enjoyed such a successful 2010. Jeff has a habit of giving just that little bit more and is always dependable yet flexible, shows real initiate and has a positive, polite manner – in our opinion he is a true representation of the quality Ward Security promises its clients.” Managing Director David Ward said the awards were a fitting tribute to the hard work of the company’s personnel. “Ward Security’s reputation as a provider of bespoke security solutions rests on the quality of its employees’ performances and their abilities to offer clients a consistency and quality of service that they can rely upon. By recognising some of these outstanding performances, we hope to build a culture within the business where our employees continually strive to be the best they can in whatever role they are working. We are already looking forward to next year’s awards and believe that the competition will be even fiercer.”