OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP DURING COVID-19
Builders Merchants Federation – John Newcomb
In the immediate aftermath of the initial Covid-19 lockdown measures, BMF members faced their worst crisis in living memory. In the initial confusion many temporarily shut their doors. John Newcomb, the BMF’s CEO response was to ensure they had the guidance they needed to help them re-open quickly and safely. BMF members had many questions, but prime amongst them: Was construction deemed “essential work”? Were merchants allowed to remain open? How could they keep staff and customers safe?
Leading a small BMF team working from home, John adapted BMF operations to be available 24/7 in order respond to members, to represent their interests with Government and provide the information and advice they needed to safeguard their staff, their customers, and their business.
John’s over-arching goal was help members to maintain their operations, protect their businesses, and ultimately save thousands of jobs in the building materials industry. He not only succeeded in this, but his determined and collaborative approach has also raised the profile and significance of the building materials sector with Government and throughout the wider construction industry, which in turn has led to far-reaching, long term benefits.
Gapsquare – Dr Zara Nanu
Dr Zara Nanu has lead Gapsquare – workplace pay equity analytics and EDI specialists – from strength to strength throughout the pandemic. Diversifying content and support packages to enable clients to retain and value their staff throughout tough times and using data to recommend future-focused actions to preserve EDI activity is just the beginning. Dr Nanu lead global webinars and events, retained clients and closed off the period by confirming an acquisition with Xpert HR. She has and will continue to lead Gapsquare in creating a fairer world of work for all.
Indigo-Ltd – Katy Raines
Katy Raines, Founder of Indigo, a 2-person micro business in Birmingham, used her quick thinking, experience and contacts to lead her business and the cultural sector during the Covid-19 pandemic. Together, they have created the largest pool of audience sentiment data on Covid 19 in the world, whilst Indigo has increased its client base 3-fold, expanded into new sectors and internationally as well as providing free vital support and intelligence to the struggling Arts and Entertainment sector throughout the pandemic. “The research that Indigo and Katy have spearheaded over the last 12 months has provided us with invaluable insight into audience attitudes to returning to theatres. Her rapid and regular turnover of multiple different surveys and astute, easy to digest analysis of each set of results has been a hugely helpful resource at a time when the impact of Covid-19 restricted staffing in many organisations. I, on behalf of the RSC, fully endorse Katy’s nomination for her tireless work for the industry representing organisations at all scales.” Chris Hill, Director for Audiences and Marketing, Royal Shakespeare Company
The Social Element – Leadership Team
The Social Element was having its best year yet in 2019-20. Its all-female leadership team had curated a mutually supportive and caring culture that valued new ideas, ways of thinking and – most importantly – its people. Embarking on a journey to help clients connect the dots between data, their social channels and the humans at the other end, the agency’s direction was resonating with clients. When the world changed, so did the leadership team. They sprang into action and, already a remote company, focused on getting things right for staff, clients and clients’ customers. By pivoting to support clients with new resources and helping them to help their customers through a trying time, The Social Element retained and won new business at an unprecedented rate. Overall, the year became one of The Social Element’s most profitable in its history, all while keeping a motivated, engaged and caring workforce as happy as possible.
LifeWorks – Stephen Liptrap
Our vision as wellbeing leaders is focused on consistently delivering support to help individuals associated with our client organisations and our own workforce. Our internal motivational target is to provide wellbeing solutions to one billion lives. Under the leadership and guidance of our CEO, Stephen Liptrap, we have enhanced our services to ensure the wellbeing of our clients and workforce during COVID-19 times. The drive behind the innovative products launched by Lifeworks is solely based on our commitment to all individuals during this time of crisis.
In July 2020, our free podcast “Living Well” examined an array of wellbeing areas to enable individuals to ‘live well’ throughout the Pandemic era. The creation of WellCan, which is a unique hub of free mental health resources to help Canadian wellbeing during the Pandemic, has brought together over 50 corporate, community and public sector partners. Our leadership also swiftly created an internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy tool to help Canadians manage their anxiety and depression symptoms throughout the Pandemic. With the guidance of Mr. Liptrap’s leadership, throughout the Pandemic, we have been able to create innovative products and leading technology-enabled human resources services which are the backbone of our company.
