These awards are organised on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills by UK Skills so we’re delighted to have been recognised for our work with Britannia – which recently merged with The Co-operative Financial Services (CFS) – for a successful company-wide coaching programme.

We have a long-established relationship with Britannia and the training programme won last year’s Training Journal Award for Best Coaching Programme so it’s very gratifying to have our work together further recognised.  Let’s hope this success continues to the National Finals.

Developed in partnership with The Corporate and Executive Coaching Organisation (CECO), Britannia’s coach training strategy equips senior managers with essential knowledge, skills and underpinning coaching philosophies – unlocking employee potential and putting training, development and a coaching culture at the heart of the business.

Karen Moir, CFS’ director of organisational development, said: “We are delighted to have received this external recognition. Our people are our greatest asset and, a fundamental part of our business strategy is to create a great place for our people to work, grow and develop. By investing in our people we believe results will follow and our accredited coaching programme is a great example of this. 

Held on Tuesday night – 21 October – at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham – The National Training Awards celebrated businesses and individuals achieving success through investment in training.

ITV Central Tonight presenter Sameena Ali-Khan presented Britannia and CECO with the ‘East Midlands Training Award for Partnership and Collaboration’. In congratulating all the winners, Sameena said: “This year’s recipients have set the benchmark high.  Each and every one of them has proven that in today’s current climate, high quality training is an integral part of both personal and business development.”

The awards were organised on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) by UK Skills. Commenting on the awards, Kevin Brennan MP – Skills Minister, said: “It is more important than ever that we continue to support and invest in the training of our workforce, helping individuals develop their skills as well helping businesses stay competitive and prepare for the upturn.  This year’s winners demonstrate the diverse range of training taking place within the UK and the benefits it is delivering to organisations and employees.”

Simon Bartley, Chief Executive of UK Skills – which manages the National Training Awards – concluded: “The winners in the East Midlands have demonstrated that training is an investment not a cost and that it can transform companies, careers, and communities.  I congratulate them all on what they have achieved.”

 –Ends–

 Photo: Collecting the award presented by ITV Central Tonight presenter Sameena Ali-Khan (far right) are; Vicki Espin (centre) – co-founder of the Corporate and Executive Coaching Organisation (CECO) and, left to right, Suzi Goodall, Liz Barnes, Kelly Platt, Sue Marriott and Adrian Powell – head of leadership and development at CFS.  

Notes to Editors

For case studies or more information please contact: 

• Andrew Torr – The Co-operative Financial Services Press Office – 01538 397855.
• Kate Moloughney, UK Skills kate.moloughney@ukskills.org.uk 0207 429 2827

About The National Training Awards

The National Training Awards (NTA) identify and celebrate organisations and individuals that have achieved really outstanding business and personal success through investment in training.

• Run on annual basis, The National Training Awards are free to enter and open in January.  Entries close in April.
• The National Training Awards includes the following categories:  Large Employer (250 +), Medium Employer (50-249+), SME (49 and under), Training Provider, Partnership and Collaboration and Individual.
• The ‘Now is the Time’ category was launched in 2009 to encourage employers who have invested in training during the recession, to share their experiences and get public recognition to their commitment to training and re-skilling. 
• The National Training Awards are organised on behalf of the Department for Business, Skills and Innovation (BIS) by UK Skills.  The National Training Awards support the training delivered by organisations working on the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
• The National Training Awards support the Skills Pledge.

About The Co-operative Financial Services: 

The Co-operative Financial Services (CFS) is part of The Co-operative Group, which is the world’s largest consumer co-operative with around five million members, over £14 billion turnover, and core business interests in financial services, food, travel, pharmacy and funeral care.  The Co-operative Group has over 5,300 retail trading outlets, including Somerfield.