AN initiative rewarding the outstanding achievements of individuals in companies and organisations has honoured its latest winner.
Siobhan Hennessey, office coordinator at Benchmark Recruit, has been awarded the 'Medal of Merit' – a joint initiative between Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Star Business Monthly.
Open to Sheffield Chamber's 2,600-plus member organisations, th
e award honours exceptional achievements, performances and contributions by an individual to the success of a business or organisation. It reflects excellence, commitment, innovation and dedication of an individual.
The Sheffield Chamber and Star Business Monthly have also teamed up with Sheffield's Kenwood Hall Hotel to offer each monthly winner a free two-night stay.
Siobhan, aged 23, who has worked at Benchmark Recruit for two years, said: "I am delighted to have won this fantastic award. I was the first staff member to be taken on by Benchmark's co-directors so I really feel like I have grown alongside the company.
"I started off as administration support, but my role has developed significantly and I am now responsible for the marketing and PR for the company, which includes website content management and developing our social networking sites, and working as a PA for the two directors. I guess you could call me a jack of all trades!"
Sheffield-based Benchmark Recruit, an independent recruitment and retention consultancy, was started three years ago by Amy Tingle and Louisa Harrison-Walker, who nominated Siobhan for the award.
Siobhan, who lives in Crookes, added: "Amy and Louisa are both incredibly supportive and it's great to know that they appreciate the work that I do. I'm not usually one to seek praise or recognition, but I get a real sense of achievement from the support I provide to the whole office. On my days off, my phone never stops ringing from people asking me how to do things!
"Amy and Louisa focus on how to retain staff for their clients and without a doubt they practice what they preach with their own staff. Without their commitment to me I wouldn't have been able to develop the role as I have. Benchmark is going through an amazing period of growth at the moment and it is very exciting to be a part of it."
Paul Reeves, director of business development at Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, said: "We are extremely pleased for Siobhan and she is clearly a worthy winner. The enthusiasm she shows in providing support throughout the company is testament of her commitment to the role, which is why she has clearly become such a valued member of the Benchmark team.
"We are still encouraging businesses to come forward and nominate their colleagues. The award is open to staff across the spectrum, so if you believe you know someone who deserves recognition for their work, then put them forward for this fantastic award."
Siobhan received a specially commissioned silver medal featuring a design made up of The Star and The Chamber's combined logos in 18 carat gold plate, as well as red and blue ribbons to reflect the respective branding colours of each organisation.
The medal was designed by Sheffield Hallam University metalwork and jewellery graduate Carrie Browne.
As well as receiving a free two-night stay at Kenwood Hall, Siobhan has now qualified for an overall Medal of Merit champion of champion's award, and will be joined by future winners, one of which will receive a special trophy at the 2009 Sheffield Business Awards.
Organisations wanting to put forward a nominee for a Medal of Merit should download an entry by visiting www2.sheffieldtoday.net/promotions/MedalofMeritForm.pdf and for more information on the Medal of Merit visit www.starbusinessmonthly.co.uk or www.scci.org.uk.
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