Compass Group UK & I win at the IWFM Impact Awards
Compass Group UK & I has been recognised at the IWFM Impact Awards. The IWFM awards are a beacon of excellence, shining a light on best practices and outstanding individuals.
Jackie Kennedy, a hardworking cleaner from 14forty, has won the coveted Frontline Heroes category and ESS has won the IWFM Social Value Award for the Junior Chef Academy (JCA) delivered in its Defence, Marine & Aerospace sector.
Jackie has been a valued member of the 14forty cleaning team at the Essar Refinery in Stanlow, Cheshire, for 13 years, but it is her selfless and community minded spirit that won over the IWFM judges.
Jackie continuously thinks of ways to raise money for good causes, as well as devoting her own time to support those who are less fortunate.
At the refinery, Jackie cleans the changing-room facilities for one of its sub-contractors. She often comes across loose change on the floor – usually around £20 per month. Recently, Jackie asked if she could use the money to buy feminine hygiene products for Ukrainian refugees, resulting in a donation of more than £200.
Outside of work, Jackie is dedicated to her community, helping young people dealing with homelessness or facing substance-abuse problems. She also works with local support groups to offer emergency accommodation and a listening ear.
Mauro Ortelli, Managing Director at 14forty, which is part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, said: “We are incredibly proud of Jackie and all that she has achieved both in and out of work. Jackie fully deserves her Frontline Heroes Award and to see her win was a very special moment for all of us.
It’s also a shining example of our people-first strategy, where we seek to employ, develop and retain the right individuals who truly embody our company’s values.”
Receiving the IWFM Social Value Award for the Junior Chef Academy (JCA) ESS has delivered in its Defence, Marine and Aerospace sector. The ten-week cookery course for local school students aims to:
- Recognise and teach cooking as an essential life skill
- Encourage an interest in, and engagement with, food at an early age.
- Educate and encourage young people to consider careers in hospitality
- Enable ESS teams to engage with local communities.
The JCA is delivered free of charge as an afterschool club. Ten 1.5-hour sessions teach students a variety of fundamental cookery skills, how to create dishes with a range of different ingredients and of course how to wash up. Attendees are invited to attend a course graduation at an ESS site where they cook for parents, teachers and the ESS team.
To date, the ESS Defence team has worked with 11 schools and delivered the course to 90 young people, including students in mainstream education as well as those with special educational needs and behavioural and attendance issues.
The JCA was developed by the Compass Apprenticeships Team and is available to all areas of the business. Courses have previously been delivered to schools in Stoke, Leicester, Wolverhampton and Newport.
Bob Gray, Managing Director – ESS Defence, Marine & Aerospace, added:
“I’m exceptionally proud of the way our team have embraced the Junior Chef Academy and delivered it in the communities around some of our Defence sites. The programme has the potential to instil a lifelong interest in food and we’ve heard from graduates that the positive impacts are being felt by their whole families. On top of this, it’s wonderful to see young people who have completed the course starting out on exciting careers in our business. I’m passionate about extending the reach and impact that this initiative is having and delighted that its power to initiate change has been recognised by the IWFM.”
