Welsh contact centre stars receive top awards for making the industry sparkle

Welsh contact centre stars receive top awards for putting the spotlight on performance

Six Welsh contact centre employees and six companies have received top awards for helping their industry through the tough times of the past twelve months.

Norman Reaney of Tesco, Vivienne Russell of Legal & General, Sian Howells of MOJ Shared Services Centre, Beverley Jenkins-Lee of Lloyds TSB Asset Finance, Cheryl Bennett of Vertex Data Science Ltd and Bethan Davies of Lloyds TSB Asset Finance were recipients of Welsh Contact Centre Awards at a glittering ceremony at City Hall in Cardiff.

British Gas won recognition in three company categories, including the prestigious Industry Champion award.

Tesco, Logica, Barclays Bank, Barclaycard Loans and Gladiator picked up further company awards for categories including Retention Practice, People Development and Customer Service.

The winners were presented with their awards by television comedian Rufus Hound.  Guests were also treated to a performance by former X Factor star Ruth Lorenzo.

The Welsh Contact Centre Awards, which have been running for 13 years, celebrate the excellence of individuals, teams and companies working within Wales' 160 contact centres. Despite the effects of the recession, the industry still employs 30,000 people and pumps £400m a year into the Welsh economy.

Sandra Busby, managing director of the Welsh Contact Centre Forum, said: "The winners should give themselves a big pat on the back.  The awards exist to recognise their achievements in keeping this industry as one of the only in Wales to still be recruiting against the current economic backdrop.  Their hard work and commitment to the customer ensures Wales is one of the best places in the UK to run a contact centre."

This year the awards were held in association with sponsors Freshbaked, Adam Continuity, Virgin Media Business, Mr Producer, Welsh Shared Services Forum, Cardiff Council, Conduit, Siemens, Working Word, Welsh Financial Services Forum, Welsh Assembly Government, Logica and HSBC Bank.

Award Winners 2011
Support Person of the Year   Bethan Davies – Lloyds TSB Asset Finance		Agent of the Year Cheryl Bennett – Vertex Data Science Ltd
Team Leader/Supervisor of the Year Sian Howells - M O J Shared Service Centre		Manager of the Year – Less than 100 Staff Vivienne Russell – Legal & General
Manager of the Year – Over 100 Staff Norman Reaney – Tesco		Trainer / Coach of the Year Beverley Jenkins-Lee – Lloyds TSB Asset Finance
Retention Practice Neil Evans – Gladiator part of the Admiral Group		Best Use of Technology Suzanne Cox – Tesco
Improved Effectiveness of Shared Services Aaron Logan – Logica		Resource & Planning Claire Johns – Barclaycard Loans
Customer Service John Connolly – British Gas		Support Team of the Year John Connolly – British Gas
Best Use of Welsh Wendy Burge – Barclays Bank		Industry Champion British Gas