VANARAMA CEO Andy Alderson won The Sunday Times 100 Best Small Companies ‘Best Leader’ award to crown the joy of his company jumping to number 18 in the publication’s annual ‘100 Best Small Companies To Work For’ list.
The Sunday Times 100 Best Small Companies To Work For list is compiled from the answers given by staff members in an anonymous survey from which the scores are compiled. It takes into account opinions about bosses, working conditions and employers’ values direct from the people whose work builds the success of their business.
What the judges said:
- ‘He encourages an open-door policy from the top down and staff say they are inspired by him (94% positive). Improved communications across the business, including an adjustment to working hours in response to staff feedback, and fun rewards including a Vanarama Oscars event all leads to employees saying they love working for the company (92%, in sixth place overall).’
Commenting on the awards, Leasing Broker Federation member Andy said: “You’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with, and I’ve got a fantastic team.
“I love their drive, and their passion for the business and its customers – they are definitely what makes us so successful. In turn, one of the company’s biggest commitments is to facilitate the well-being and continuing development of our employees – I’ve always believed that if you look after your people, the rest will take care of itself.
“That these awards are based on the opinions of my staff makes me especially proud – both of them and the business we are building together. What a great start to 2017, I’m delighted!”
The awards come as Vanarama, sponsor of this year’s Business Van Awards, is pursuing a programme of expansion and employee development, facilitated by the company’s recent move into a state-of-the-art, environmentally-friendly office building in Hemel Hempstead’s Maylands Industrial Estate.
This year it has launched Vanarama Insurance, followed by the industry’s first multi-year insurance with van lease packages.
Andy Alderson founded Vanarama with just £50,000, maxing out on a couple of credit cards to realise his dream. Set up in 2004 with just three people, the Hemel Hempsted-based van, car and truck leasing broker now has 136 employees who feel a strong sense of family in their team (a 90% positive score for this question, ranked 13th).
Other firms in Best Companies To Work For lists
- Sytner Group – 6,536 employees
- Halfords – 8,685 employees
- TrustFord – 3,113 employees
- MotoNovo Finance – 512 employees
- Toyota (GB) – 310 employees
- JCT600 – 2,056 employees
- Zenith – 520 employees
- FMG fleet management & support – 379 employees
Andy continued: “At Vanarama, we try to take big steps every year and 2017 will see us take several large ones in quick succession.
“The new building represents a £5million investment in our future, and is a clear indication of how important the continuing development of our people is to the future growth of the business.”
Of all stages of Vanarama’s growth, this has certainly been the most bold and complex. Notwithstanding the structural and ecological improvements required to create an excellent 21st Century building, the company also had to cater for an exponential growth in staff and the services and products that it offers.
Andy added: “Cutting-edge training facilities, new spaces for our employee wellness sessions – such as yoga and Pilates – and company doctor, and a brand-new cafeteria, are just some of the things we’ve invested in while kitting out the new office. Now we’ve settled into our new home, the company’s future is looking very bright – for the team and our customers.”
