Esh Group launched its inaugural staff awards programme ‘The Esh Factor’ this year to celebrate and reward the remarkable achievements of talented colleagues and teams.
From ‘Going Above and Beyond’ prizes to gongs for ‘Championing our Values’, six award categories recognised the efforts of those who have worked hard to make a difference in their role.
More than 40 entries were received, with Esh’s Senior Leadership Team shortlisting ahead of the second annual Group Get Together event which took place on May, 9th 2025.
Deputy Chief Executive, Stephen Wilkie, and HR Director, Chris Watson, had the pleasure of announcing the winners on stage in front of more than 380 members of staff. During the presentation, Chris commented: “You, our people, are our strength as a business, you help set us apart, and together, you all contribute to the great things we do, day in, day out.
“It was a really proud moment for us to read through the entries and hear about the amazing efforts of our people. It was actually very hard to choose a shortlist and the winners!”
First to grace the stage was Carbon, Sustainability & Data Manager, Steven Doran, who picked up the ‘Innovation in Action’ award for his efforts to continuously develop new systems and processes which ensures compliance and delivers efficiencies across the group. After the event, Steve said: “I was shocked to be nominated, so to win the award was quite something – it was very humbling and something I didn’t expect.
“The key thing about our ‘Even Greener’ journey is that we need ‘buy-in’ from everyone. It doesn’t matter your role in the business; small changes can make a big difference.”
Next up was the prize for ‘Championing our Values’ which celebrates an individual who displays Esh Group’s core values of Care, Trust, Integrity, Respect and Working Together in everything that they do. Head of Purchasing, Tracey Appleby, was named the worthy winner for displaying an honest, passionate, and hardworking philosophy throughout her 30 years of service. Tracey said: “I was totally overwhelmed but extremely honoured to have been nominated and then to go on and win the award! It is very comforting to know that my ethics align with Esh’s values as without that, I doubt I would have had such a successful long career with Esh.”
With The Esh Factor awards in full swing, Homes by Esh’s Customer Care Team were next to step into the spotlight by winning the ‘Exceptional Customer Service’ award. While only a small team of three, together Lynsey Kelly, Jemma Todd and Katy McKeever pack a big punch. Together they have driven forward new processes that provide a proactive and collaborative approach to customer care, enabling Esh’s private housebuilding division to receive its highest customer satisfaction scores in its history.
Head of Customer Care, Lynsey Kelly, said: “We are all extremely proud to have won this award, and it means an awful lot for our work to have been recognised by the whole group in front of our friends and colleagues. Since I started at Homes by Esh in 2021, a lot have changes have been made to the way that customer care operates throughout the business, and I couldn’t have done it without my amazing team as well as the support from the wider business.”
The fourth gong of the event was for ‘Going Above and Beyond’ where a staggering amount of very worthy entries were received. First up, Lumsden & Carroll Site Engineer, Tyler Wardle, picked up a Highly Commended prize, before joint winners Communications Specialist, Patrick O’Kane, and Graphic Designer, Sophie Moore, were announced. Patrick and Sophie had joined forces last year to provide critical event support for the Military vs Cancer charity rugby event as part of an Esh volunteering initiative. Through an immense effort, the event raised more than £48,000 for those affected by cancer within armed forces and their families.
Reflecting on how it felt to be nominated, Patrick said: “When we were doing the work, it was challenging and deadlines were testing, but when you sit back and reflect on it and you see how much it helped the charity it is a good feeling. You always want to do a good job in everything you do, but when we were told we had been nominated and shortlisted for our work it was a good feeling – it shows that we’re obviously doing the right things day-to-day.”
While Sophie added that she wasn’t expecting the win at all, saying: “When they called out the highly commended award, I thought, there was no way we’d won because if we’d have got anything, it would have been runner up. Everyone shortlisted was so deserving of the win, so it was a massive surprise because it was a really tough category.”
Perhaps the most surprised winner of the event was Site Manager, Simon Burns, who was named ‘Health and Safety’s Champion of Champions’. Simon was one of over 35 colleagues to receive an award in 2024’s bi-annual ‘Everyone Safely Home’ Esh Safe Awards – he was chosen as the Champion of Champions for his uncompromising focus on health and safety. He said: “To be recognised as the Health and Safety’s Champion of Champions was such a rewarding experience in my career. I feel privileged to have received this award, and I take pride in knowing that my dedication to health and safety on site hasn’t gone unnoticed. I would like to thank my team, as without the help and support from them, this wouldn’t have been possible!”
To round off The Esh Factor 2025 awards, it was over to the ‘Trainee or Apprentice of the Year’ category where seven individuals had made the shortlist following several strong nominations.
Deputy Chief Executive stepped up to the mic to announce: “When judging these entries, we simply couldn’t differentiate one from the other. All of those shortlisted day in day out display a level of ability, commitment and eagerness to develop at a level which far outweighs what is expected of you so early in your respective careers. Those shortlisted are our workforce of the future. So, the winners are…all of you.”
In a fitting finale to the awards, Cole Wilson, Olivia Miller, Tyler McIntosh, Abby Collinson, Hatty Taylor, Lucy Youlton and Jack Edmonds were recognised for their remarkable achievements. Abby Collinson, Trainee Sales Advisor for Homes by Esh, said: “It was really rewarding to have been recognised as an Esh Factor award winner, knowing that my efforts in the year I’ve been with the company have made a meaningful impact.”
And, that’s a wrap for The Esh Factor awards 2025 – the stage is set for continued success and a strong future across the business.
You, our people, are our strength as a business, you help set us apart, and together, you all contribute to the great things we do, day in, day out."
