It was Thanks! all round when international corporate services provider Hogg Robinson Group (HRG) held a glittering event at the Norton Park Hotel in Sutton Scotney near Winchester on Friday, 18^th May 2007, to honour its outstanding employees.

Hard-working Alison Nicholson, who works for HRG UK in Farnborough, was crowned ‘Employee of the Year’ during the annual employee recognition awards (Thanks!) prize-giving ceremony and, in a triple success story for the UK operational headquarters, both second and third prizes in the awards were also awarded to Farnborough-based employees.

Process management expert Alison was honoured by both her peers and the HRG senior management team for the work she has undertaken implementing new technology systems for a multinational client both in the UK and internationally. Such were her skills, proficiency and attention to detail that, after ensuring the UK team were on track with their project, Alison took on a five-month secondment in Charlotte, North Carolina, to ensure a similar smooth transition in the United States, travelling between Charlotte, New York and Halifax to train staff on the new systems.

Alison was rewarded for her efforts with two First Class return airline tickets to a destination of her choice, 7 nights hotel accommodation, a weeks car hire, £700 spending money and a hamper from Fortnum & Mason.

Alison Nicholson receiving her Thanks! award from David Radcliffe, Chief Executive of HRG

“I was shocked when my name was announced,” said Alison. “I couldn’t believe that I had won this amazing prize.”

She continued: “Thanks! is a fabulous scheme and I’m thrilled that my colleagues, and my company, have recognised my commitment to seeing this project through. I’m hoping to plan a trip to Australia later in the year - it is somewhere my husband and I have always wanted to visit – and am very much looking forward to being spoiled with First Class travel.”

Although Alison was definitely star of the night, Human Resources (HR) Advisor Helen Campbell and Post Room Assistant Chris Bezer were also lauded at the event.

For her tireless commitment to helping to design, configure test and implement a highly sophisticated HR/Payroll system across HRG, Helen received a Business Class Trip to Singapore for two people. Accepting a Premium Economy class holiday for two, Chris was praised for his continued dedication to not only doing his own job particularly well, but also for helping out with a number of tasks outside his job role including redecorating and fitting a new kitchen at HRG’s Hemel Hempstead office.

Commenting on the award-winners, David Radcliffe, Chief Executive of HRG, said: “There is no doubt that Alison, Helen and Chris are all worthy winners. They epitomise the spirit of HRG – going the extra mile to provide service excellence for their customers, both internal and external.

“I’d like to offer my personal thanks and congratulations to each of them for their commitment to HRG and hope that their Thanks! prizes will help them enjoy a well earned break.”

HRG’s employee recognition scheme, Thanks!, is run by employees for employees and recognises employees who have ‘gone the extra mile’ for clients, the company or in support of their colleagues. The scheme forms part of HRG’s commitment to motivating and retaining the best talent and to being a ‘Company of Choice’ with a waiting list of people to join. Every single nominee receives a small gift and letter of thanks from their Director, those chosen as ‘Employees of the Month’ then receive a personal letter from David Radcliffe, an invitation to the annual celebratory event and are able to choose a gift from a specially commissioned Fortnum & Mason catalogue. Nearly 190 nominations were received for this year’s Thanks! awards and 44 monthly winners attended the gala dinner with their guests and members of the HRG senior management team.

The 44 monthly Thanks! award winners attending the gala dinner at the Norton Park Hotel in Sutton Scotney

- Ends -

For further information:
Jenny Collins / Alice Mayor
Euro RSCG Biss Lancaster
Tel: +44 (0) 207 467 9200
Email: blhrg@bisslancaster.com

Laurie Waugh, Public Relations Manager
Hogg Robinson Group
Tel: + 44 (0) 1256 312 623
Email: laurie.waugh@hrgworldwide.com

Notes to Editors:

Hogg Robinson Group (HRG) is the award-winning international corporate services company. Founded in 1845, HRG has over 60 years specific corporate travel expertise. Its corporate services interests include wholly-owned or majority controlled corporate travel operations in 24 of the key driver and growth markets throughout Asia Pacific, Europe and North America.  Supported by contracted partners, the HRG worldwide network extends to nearly 100 countries.

Totally committed to a value offering for clients, HRG offers a comprehensive range of corporate services which includes travel management, fulfilment services and low cost transactions as well as Consulting, Expense Management, Events & Meetings Management and Sports.