Like many companies, Novus Property Solutions – one of the UK’s leading maintenance and construction contractors – had to rapidly adapt to new ways of working when the pandemic struck last year in order to continue to provide its essential maintenance and repair services to customers.
And like many companies, its ability to continue operating relied on the diligence, grit, and positive attitudes of people at every level of the company. That’s why Novus recently announced the winners of its ‘Covid Hero Awards’ in celebration of those colleagues who had stepped up and made a difference during the COVID-19 outbreak, whether that was within the company or their local community.
Novus’ CEO Alan Nixon hosted the socially distanced awards from the company’s headquarters in Stoke On Trent, presenting certificates and gift vouchers to the 10 winners, who had been chosen by a panel of experts drawn from across the business.
Almost 100 people were nominated by their colleagues, with suggestions coming across the length and breadth of the country and at every level of the business. The full list of winners was: Dan Machin, systems developer; Joanne Snutch, credit controller; operative Mark Tibbey; site supervisor Matthew Stevenson; Donna Lunt, payroll supervisor; Florin Nistor, senior contracts manager; Kim Leeson, senior systems administrator; labourer Wojciech Cembik; head of operations Chris Murphy, and health and safety manager, Ed Hawksey.
Head of Operations Chris Murphy was named a winner as he demonstrated exceptional leadership and management throughout the pandemic. Chris actively visited sites throughout and took a vested interest in all of his colleagues’ health and wellbeing.
Behind the scenes, systems developer Dan Machin was instrumental in helping all office-based colleagues make the shift to remote working. Dan worked tirelessly throughout lockdown, doing whatever it took to keep the wheels turning. Working long hours and taking on work from across the wider business, Dan was a massive asset to both his IT colleagues, and to Novus.
Ed Hawksey, Health & Safety Manager was recognised as he helped to shape the company approach to managing Covid risk and coordinating its control measures throughout all areas of the business. This included developing and communicating Covid inductions and new ways of working for both operations and offices, and providing advice and support to all in addition to ensuring the coordination and delivery of personal and respiratory protective equipment across the whole business.
Commenting on the awards, Matt Pitt, Head of People Services, said: “As a business, we have a strong focus on celebrating our colleagues’ successes. Our Covid Hero Awards are a wonderful way to recognise the exceptional dedication that so many people at Novus have displayed throughout the challenges of the past year.”
Alan Nixon, Novus CEO, added: “The pandemic has been an extremely challenging time for businesses across all industries. At Novus we have had to adapt our strategies across the board from our operatives working in private homes, hospitals and construction sites to our support services shifting to remote working.
“These changes brought their own issues that, through the resilience and dedication of our team, we were able to overcome and continue to provide outstanding service to our clients. It’s wonderful to come together today and celebrate a selection of our colleagues who have gone above and beyond during these exceptional times and delivered on our values of doing business responsibly and valuing our customers.”
