Pilgrims Group held its annual Security Officer Awards Ceremony, recognising achievements and performances of security people in its business by individuals and teams.
The event at Hoebridge Golf Club in Surrey saw a fun golf competition for all nominees then a sit down lunch and awards ceremony. The criteria on which Regional and National Officers were judged included pro-activeness, effort, reliability and added value. The criteria for the National Team awards included assessment of qualities such as motivation and enthusiasm, good teamwork and communication.
Pilgrims contract development manager, Des Ewers says: “The selection process is vigorous and aims to recognise the hard work, dedication and vital service that Pilgrims employees provide.
“The process starts with Pilgrims regional operations managers and contract development managers selecting the nominees for a bronze, silver and gold officer and their best team. Regional management teams then meet to verify their nominees and vote on the national officer nominees and the national teams. The last stage is completed by the board of directors at Pilgrims HQ, where the final positions are decided. The process is thorough and assures all winners are truly deserving of this recognition for their part in the company’s continued high level of service provision and success.”
Pilgrims teams at one pharmaceutical client’s sites took home three of the 15 awards at this year’s presentation; the team at Grimsby being crowned winners of the Gold Award for National Team of the Year.
The awards were met with delight from recipients, with one Gold Award winner stating: “I’d like to express my thanks to the Pilgrims team for organising a fantastic day. I am both proud and humbled by the award.”
Pilgrims COO, Dave Freear says: “All our guards do a truly fantastic job and I’d like to personally thank every one of them for their dedication and commitment. These awards recognise those that have gone yet another step above and beyond their normal duties, but we know the hard work that every single one of our team members puts in every day to ensure our clients get the best service.”
The attendees were saddened by the news that one of the winners passed away suddenly ten days before the awards. Cadwell Mashininga joined Pilgrims in September 2008. A winner last year, he was recognised again this year for his dedication with the Southern Region Bronze award.
“It is with great sadness to say that Cadwell passed away, he will be sadly missed,” said Dave Freear. “We went ahead with the presentation and observed a minute’s silence in memory of Cadwell. The award was then passed on to his widow, Lena.”
Pilgrims will be honouring Cadwell with the addition of a special award of achievement at future ceremonies. The Mashininga Award will be presented to the guard who has developed the most over the year.
Awards
National Officer
Gold – Chris Piponias
Silver – Joe Gough
Bronze – Sheeraz Saleem
Regional Officer – London
Gold – Chris Piponias
Silver – Roy Livings
Bronze – Clement Aikens
Regional Officer – South
Gold – Joe Gough
Silver – Linda George
Bronze – Cadwell Mashininga
Regional Officer – North
Gold – Sheeraz Saleem
Silver – Garry Armstrong
Bronze – John Friar
Team of the Year *
Gold – Grimsby Team, pictured
Silver – London Team
Bronze – Frimley Team
*(Exact locations not given due to client confidentiality)
