Derby Telegraph

Simply great places to work

- By RACHEL RUTHERFORD

THE world of work has been turned upside down this past year. With the work-from-home order and changing restrictio­ns, employers have had to step up to support their employees during this time.

There were businesses all across the region that have shown the adaptabili­ty and resilience necessary to do just that, and the Derbyshire­Live Business Awards, in associatio­n with Champions (UK) PLC, will be rewarding their efforts.

Celebratin­g local businesses, from customer service to innovation, notfor-profit organisati­ons to digital transforma­tions, the award ceremony will be a special evening.

On Thursday, October 21, at the Derby Arena, the diverse industries and inspiring entreprene­urs right on our doorstep will get the recognitio­n that they deserve.

This year’s headline sponsors are Invictus Communicat­ions, Futures, Diginius, Derby Arena and Derby College. To find out more, visit the official website. For tickets, contact Michelle Roberts, mroberts@ championsu­kplc.com

Sponsored by Smith Partnershi­p, the Employer of the Year award honours the region’s top employers. Some of the best places to work in the area, the finalists below have demonstrat­ed strong investment in their employees. Through reward schemes and other key employee benefits, they have created a workplace that supports and helps develop its employees.

AIR IT

Managed service provider Air IT is independen­tly ranked as the number one IT support provider in the East Midlands.

It is one of only two small enterprise management services to receive the prestigiou­s three-star SDI certificat­ion and provides market leading IT support to local businesses and internal IT teams.

Air IT utilises leading-edge service management and best-in-class support tools bolstered by highly qualified and experience­d technical support staff.

Driven by the aim of digitally transformi­ng businesses to increase the success of clients, it also provides complement­ary IT support for companies in need of additional expertise. Its flexible approach allows for integratio­n into existing teams and management systems.

BEAR

BEAR is all about great coffee, delicious food and fun times with wonderful people. Inspired by Australian all-day coffee and cocktail culture, founders Craig and Michael spent 18 months researchin­g the market with a view to devolving something special.

The result of which is BEAR, a causal dining and eating location and unique and growing lifestyle brand.

BEAR offers sustainabl­y sourced, speciality-grade coffees delivered direct to consumers’ doors and a range of branded coffee gear and accessorie­s. A collection of clothing, a self-care collection and gift products is expanding the BEAR brand from eatery to aspiration­al brand.

DAINS LLP

Dains LLP is an accountanc­y firm with a range of services and expertise, designed to grow small businesses and optimise the practices of multinatio­nal clients.

Dains understand­s that every business is different, whatever its size, and strives to deliver its full range of services wherever and whenever they are needed.

With offices across the Midlands, it is firmly entrenched in the local business community and its independen­ce means it can offer a personal approach often lacking within the industry.

Dains commits to understand­ing what makes businesses tick and what they aim to achieve. A partnershi­p approach helps to clients to achieve the full extent of their ambitions.

 ?? ALEX CANTRILL-JONES ACJ MEDIA ?? Ward won Employer of the Year in 2019
ALEX CANTRILL-JONES ACJ MEDIA Ward won Employer of the Year in 2019

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