Previous Winners & Judges Feedback

Enerjisa Enerji

Best Staff Training & Development Programme

Commenting on Enerjisa Enerji, the winner in the Best Staff Training and Development Programme category, the chairman of the judges said:

“Congratulations to Turkey’s electricity company Enerjisa Enerji for achieving great results with its Sales School programme. Realising that customer service employees play a vital part in building good relationships with clients, Enerjisa Enerji introduced Sales School programme for staff working in its customer service centre in 2014. Sales School initially offered classroom training but it has now moved online, giving staff flexibility about where and when they can study. Amazingly, the training and development programme has increased performance by 66% and increased loyalty from staff.”

TEMSA

Best Sustainable Product/Process

Commenting on TEMSA, the winner in the Best Sustainable Product/Process category, the chairman of the judges said:

“Turkey-based bus manufacturer TEMSA has come up with a unique way of recycling waste material from its factories. Waste such as packaging, cables and plastics is donated to Çukurova University’s Faculty of Fine Arts where artists transform the material into works of art. The art is then sold at TEMSA’s showroom in Istanbul and the proceeds help fund educational scholarships for disadvantaged students. This is a brilliant, inspirational concept where waste material gives young people access to education and a great start in life.”

Phoenix Fitness

Best Community Engagement Initiative

Commenting on Phoenix Fitness, the winner in the Best Community Engagement Initiative, the chairman of the judges said:

“A huge round of applause to Phoenix Fitness for helping those in need across the east coast of England by running a host of community initiatives. During lockdown it ran a series of online classes and opened an outdoor gym to keep people fit and healthy. More recently, it has donated to numerous local charities, held raffles, run charity boxing matches and hosted its first ever east coast fitness festival that was a huge success. Well done to Phoenix Fitness for helping the community through difficult economic times.”

OPET

Disruptor of the Year for Product or Service

Commenting on OPET, the winner in the Disruptor of the Year for Product or Service award, the chairman of the judges said:

“Congratulations to fuel distribution company OPET for being one of the first in the fuel sector in Turkey to introduce mini shopping malls at its fuel stations. Almost 300 mini malls, under the ultramarkets project, have already opened and are attracting new customers every day. Consumers can even order their goods online with pick them up at a station without having to get out of their car! Well done to OPET for being a pioneer in introducing consumers to a new way of convenience shopping.”

Enerjisa Enerji

Best HR

Commenting on Enerjisa Enerji, the winner in the Best HR category, the chairman of the judges said: :

“Congratulations to Turkey’s electricity company Enerjisa Enerji for thinking ahead and introducing its Future of Work transformation strategy. It includes introducing flexible work conditions for staff, health and wellbeing services and continuous training and development to help them progress their career and prepare for the jobs of the future. To make life easier for staff, HR procedures and processes have been automated and made more efficient. With staff satisfaction rates standing at all time high of 71% and staff loyalty improving, the Future of Work strategy is having a powerful impact.”

Duracell Turkiye

Best Innovation

Commenting on Duracell Turkiye, the winner in the Best Innovation, the chairman of the judges said:

“Duracell Turkiye is a powerhouse of innovation that has recently introduced some amazing new products such as its Duracell Optimum range of batteries that last 30% longer. It has also come up with several other ground-breaking initiatives including its new baby secure technology that covers lithium button cell batteries in a harmless bitter coating that stops youngsters from swallowing them. Its ‘transform your batteries project into goodness’ is another brilliant innovation that repurposes old batteries into walking sticks for the visually-impaired.”

TEMSA

Best Community Engagement Initiative

Commenting on TEMSA, the winner in the Best Community Engagement Initiative category, the chairman of the judges said:

“Congratulations to staff at TEMSA, a Turkey-based bus manufacturer, for helping children in disadvantaged areas of the country get access to education through its Dream Partners Association. Originally launched in 2014, it is the first association of its kind in Turkey and run entirely by staff volunteers. It has made a huge contribution to education by improving school buildings, and providing books, equipment and materials for distance learning. TEMSA Dream Partners Association is a brilliant community initiative that is helping disadvantaged youngsters get an education and lift them out of poverty.”

Bombay Palace

Outstanding Personal Achievement

Commenting on Siraj Ali, founder of Bombay Palace, the winner in the Outstanding Personal Achievement, the chairman of the judges said:

“Siraj Ali, based in the West Midlands, is a well-known entrepreneur and philanthropist who has a big heart. Over the years, he has built up a portfolio of restaurants, properties and international investments; and his flagship restaurant Bombay Palace in Coventry is renowned for its superb cuisine. On the community front, Siraj Ali provided around 1,000 free meals to healthcare workers during the pandemic and has donated thousands of pounds to local social groups. Congratulations to Siraj Ali for being an outstanding business leader and for being so generous.”

Enerjisa Enerji

Best Innovative and Creative Use of Technology

Commenting on Enerjisa Enerji, the winner in the Best Innovative and Creative use of Technology category, the chairman of the judges said:

“Congratulations to Turkey’s leading electricity company Enerjisa Enerji for developing a new training tool for engineers using virtual reality (VR) glasses. Rather than having to go out in the field, engineers can take 12 different courses in acceptance testing of power distribution grid facilities using the VR glasses. So far 140 people have successfully undertaken the training using the new technique. Well done to Enerjisa Enerji for creatively using advanced technologies to develop a new way of training engineers in a faster and more effective way.”

OPET

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award

Commenting on OPET, the winner in the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion award, the chairman of the judges said:

“Congratulations to OPET, one of the largest fuel distribution companies in Turkey, for encouraging more women to work at its 18,000 fuel stations and fighting the fight for gender equality. The initiative is part of its women’s power project, launched in May 2018, and OPET now has almost 2,000 ladies working at its stations in posts that were traditionally held by men. OPET has made a great start in attracting women into the workplace and helping them become economically active and more involved in society.”

TEMSA

Best Health & Safety

Commenting on TEMSA, the winner in the Best Health & Safety category, the chairman of the judges said: :

“Congratulations to Turkey-based electric bus manufacturer TEMSA for launching its Temsaglik project in May 2021 that provides staff with comprehensive health and wellbeing advice. The service is extended to the families of employees as well to help them become fitter and healthier too. TEMSA has thought of everything and the range of offerings includes advice on diet and fitness, and counselling. There are also sports and social clubs and there’s even a club for children! Showing just how popular Temsaglik has become, almost 40% of staff have joined one of the clubs.”

Enerjisa Enerji

Best Innovation

Commenting on Enerjisa Enerji, the winner in the Best Innovation category, the chairman of the judges said: :

“Turkey’s electricity company Enerjisa Enerji has achieved outstanding new efficiencies with the transformation its Administrative Affairs operations with a new digital platform called AA+ that enables users to access services on one screen. Administrative Affairs manages the company’s facilities, security, catering, travel, fleet and cargo etc. The implementation of the AA+ platform was a massive undertaking that has produced amazing benefits. The platform reduces workload for staff, increases accuracy and strengthens decision making. Congratulations to Enerjisa Enerji for transforming its core operations and introducing new levels of productivity.”

Gold Bank

Best Marketing

Commenting on Gold Bank, the winner in the Best Marketing, the chairman of the judges said:

“When it comes to marketing Gold Bank London, a specialist in buying and selling gold and silver, has the Midas touch. After running a series of localised low-budget marketing campaigns using strategically placed billboards and social media platforms, the bank has attracted new clients and driven more visitors to its website. As a side-line, the campaigns gave a welcome boost to turnover. Well done to Gold Bank London for using its cleverly planned marketing strategy to shake off fierce competition and raise its profile.”

Beaverswood

Best New Product / Service (less than 2 years old)

Commenting on Beaverswood, the winner in the Best New project (less than 2 years old) category, the chairman of the judges said: :

“Congratulations to Beaverswood for responding to customer research and launching a mini racksack, which is smaller than the original version. Whereas the original racksack is designed to collect and segregate waste and recycling materials at industrial premises, the mini does the same job but it is more suited to offices and smaller packing benches. Based on the same high-quality material and design, the compact mini enables Beaverswood to expand its reach into new markets via resellers and direct to customers.”

Yapi Kredi

Best Communication

Commenting on Yapi Kredi, the winner in the Best Communication category, the chairman of the judges said:

“Congratulations to Turkey-based commercial bank Yapi Kredi for using a wide range of communication tools to encourage staff across 40 departments to take up voluntary work. The company’s website for volunteers keeps staff up to date with all the company’s social responsibility work, allows them to communicate with others and join new social projects. The bank also uses webinars and newsletters to reach its staff. The communication initiative has produced great results with almost 2,000 members of staff joining up for voluntary work and more than 135 voluntary projects being undertaken.”

Pinter

Best New Business

Commenting on Pinter, the winner in the Best New Business category, the chairman of the judges said:

“Here’s to London-based home brewing company Pinter, for transforming the home-brew market with an innovative device that simplifies the brewing process and gives beer lovers a better tasting, fresh pint. Since launching in 2020, Pinter has pulled in more than 106,000 home brewers, and attracted many high-profile investors. Amazingly in October 2022, Pinter was listed as the fastest growing UK online business, and it is now working on continuous product development and expanding overseas to the US. Well done to Pinter for turning the home-brewing market on its head.”

Bombay Palace

Family Business of the Year

Commenting on Bombay Palace, the winner in the Family Business of the Year, the chairman of the judges said:

“Bombay Palace restaurant in Earlsdon, Coventry, is a brilliant example of a family business where father and son work hand in hand. Mr Siraj Ali set up restaurant businesses in 1967 and became a successful entrepreneur with restaurants and a property portfolio. Entrepreneur and property investor Junaid Siraj is following in his father’s footsteps and is now taking Bombay Palace to a new level with plans to franchise the business. With a great business model and strong family foundation, Bombay Palace is on course to be a national chain.”

Templeton Recruitment

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award

Commenting on Templeton Recruitment, the winner in the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award category, the chairman of the judges said:

“Congratulations to London-based tech recruiter Templeton Recruitment for taking forward the equality, diversity and inclusion agenda and putting it into practice. With less than 20% of tech specialists in the UK and Europe female and even less from black, Asian and minority ethnic groups, Templeton has turned this around with its workforce spanning 20 nationalities and four generations. Templeton is making its mark and leading its international customers to become more diverse and develop a more creative and innovative workforce.”

Osmangazi Elektrik Dagitim INC. (OEDAS)

Best Corporate Social Responsibility

Commenting on Osmangazi Elektrik Dagitim Inc, the winner in the Best Corporate Social Responsibility category, the chairman of the judges said:

“Turkey-based electricity distribution company Osmangazi Elektrik Dagitim Inc (OEDAS) can’t be praised enough for its Can Dostlar project (True Friends) to help the 10 million animals that live in the streets across Turkey. Since the launch of Can Dostlar in May 2021, thousands of cats and dogs have been fed, received veterinary treatment and been placed in shelter. Many of the shelters are made from scrap material from OEDAS’ warehouses – yet another brilliant idea. Congratulations to OEDA? for taking the lead with Can Dostlar and helping to the improve the health of stray animals across Turkey.” ”

Flare

Best Innovation

Commenting on Flare, the winner in the Best Innovation category, the chairman of the judges said:

“Congratulations to Flare for developing a life-saving app that helps cyclists, walkers and drivers stay safe. Sensors on a mobile phone monitor the situation and a unique algorithm calculates dangers and risks, warning users of nearby hazards or incidents and giving them time to move to a safer place. Another unique feature is that users are rewarded with a new digital currency called Sweatcoin. The Flare app has already saved many lives and is a must-have safety device for all types of travellers and adventurers.”

Olivier Mythodrama

Best Product / Service Range

Commenting on Olivier Mythodrama, the winner in the Best Product/Service range category, the chairman of the judges said:

“Congratulations to leadership development consultancy Olivier Mythodrama for combining the drama of Shakespeare with leadership training. Using the characters in Shakespeare’s plays, such as Julius Caesar for influential leadership and Henry V for inspirational leadership, trainees can explore how they deal with challenges. The company was founded by Richard Olivier, son of actor Sir Laurence Olivier, who had the idea when playing a part in Shakespeare’s Henry V. Realising the educational value of the bard’s great writings, Olivier Mythodrama has created a popular and exciting new style of leadership training.”

Bombay Palace

Commenting on Bombay Palace, the winner in the Best Outstanding support during COVID-19, the chairman of the judges said:

“Congratulations to The Bombay Palace restaurant, based in Earlsdon, Coventry, for being one of the first businesses in the West Midlands region to support front-line staff during the pandemic by delivering free meals to Coventry Hospital and Beechwood Garden Care Home. The restaurant also provided free meals to people who were struggling financially. This is a brilliant initiative from Bombay Palace that helped provide more than 1,000 free meals to NHS and healthcare staff as a way of saying thank you.”

Akbank

Best Business Transformation

Commenting on Akbank TAS, the winner in the Best Business Transformation category, the chairman of the judges said:

“Congratulations to Akbank TAS for introducing a new omni-channel platform called Integro that is part of its digital transformation for its corporate, small and medium-sized enterprises and commercial clients. By giving business customers access to dashboards, cashflow, transactions and tailored information on easy-to-read charts, Integro enables its customers to run their businesses more effectively and make more informed decisions. This an outstanding new platform that will help Akbank TAS stay ahead of the competition and build better working relationships with customers and attract new ones.”

THRIVE Learning

Best Customer Focus

Commenting on THRIVE Learning, the winner in the Best Customer Focus category, the chairman of the judges said:

“Global education solutions company THRIVE Learning is preparing for expansion by investing in its global success team. The core of THRIVE’s business centres around its customer success teams. By incentivising customer service staff and giving them flexible work conditions, it helps to motivate them to do their best. Customers benefit from live chat and round-the-clock service. The latest client service is data lab, which can help them make better use of data to meet their organisational goals. The investment in customer service is working brilliantly because THIRIVE has an enviable customer retention rate of 99%!”