BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD


SPONSORED PITMANS BY


Winner of the Thames Valley Business of the Year 2011 was Reading-based Symantec, specialists in information security and management software.


Christopher Avery, managing partner of leading Thames Valley law firm Pitmans, which sponsors the award, presented the trophy to a delighted Clive Bunyan, vice president human resources (main picture).


Judges chose the company as a “great example of how a Thames Valley company can lead in its field, driving strategies of growth, innovation and sustainability in the global marketplace while maintaining its Thames Valley roots”.


It was a theme which Bunyan returned to in a post-awards interview, when he said: “While we are a global company, we don’t lose sight of the fact that there are many things which have to be done on a local basis here in the Thames Valley. It’s important to get the balance right and respect local needs as well as those in the wider environment.”


Founded in 1982, the company has a major emphasis on innovation and has evolved to become one of the world’s largest software companies, providing security, storage and systems management solutions for customers, who range from consumers and small businesses to large global organisations.


Its Green Park base in Reading is home to some 800 staff, while worldwide it has more than 18,500 employees in over 50 countries.


At the heart of its success are four key values: www.businessmag.co.uk


innovation, action, customer-driven and trust, and it places a strong importance on staff training and development. Its global Applause recognition programme gives employees the ability to reward their colleagues for a job well done without needing management approval.


“When we recruit people, we look for those values. They spell out ‘I ACT’ and so it’s important to us that our employees pro-actively take action on each of the values,” added Bunyan. “We think our Applause programme, which works on trust and is applied globally, but tailored locally, is quite unique. People expect recognition from their managers, but when it comes unexpectedly from their colleagues as a thank you for a job well done, it adds real value, and that’s really important to us.”


The judges of the Business of the Year award take an overall view of a company’s profitability, sustainability, innovation and employment opportunities.


They also take into account the contribution made to the local economy and support provided for culture and charitable causes, and Symantec scored highly thanks to its strong focus on corporate social responsibility.


This includes staff fundraising for Naomi House children’s hospice, recycling and environmental awareness programmes at its Reading office, and a charity gift matching programme, where the employees can ask the company to match funds they have raised for charity.


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – DECEMBER 11/JANUARY 12


Avery said: “I was thrilled to see the volume of fantastic entries for the awards this year. In the 17 years that we have been judging this award I can honestly say this is the strongest collection of submissions that we have had.


“Symantec has achieved so much from its Thames Valley base, having grown from 20 to 1,000 people; they are true leaders in their field. Their culture of innovation stands out, coupled with their impressive financial performance, the strength of their people management and their commitment to CSR. Symantec are worthy winners.


“I offer my congratulations to all competitors on their achievements and look forward to reviewing more excellent awards submissions next year.”


Holding its 2010 position in second place was vehicle management solutions expert Leasedrive, the award being presented to commercial director Roddy Graham (pictured top left) while in third place was drop box delivery specialists ByBox. Caroline Rooke, marketing manager collected the award (bottom left). Highly commended were Kyocera Mita (UK), European Electronique and Bottomline Technologies.


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