Utility Week

WINNERS' WORDS UK Power Networks Last year, UK Power Networks clinched four Stars Awards and was a finalist in seven other categories. Its customer services director Matt Rudling said: "The Stars Awards are a welcome opportunity for individuals and teams to shine and receive public and industry recognition for their work. "We were delighted to win four awards last year and it was a real boost for the employees involved." 24 | 16TH - 22ND MARCH 2018 | UTILITY WEEK Operations & Assets Utility Week Stars, 29 June 2018 D oes your team have a star player? Don't miss your chance to let them shine. Put them forward for our Utility Week Stars Awards, which is taking entries now. It's people that make the utilities world go round – whether it's those on the front- line helping customers, keeping the lights on and the gas and water flowing, or those find- ing new ways to provide and adapt a quality service. And it's work that brings out some very special employees. If you know a utility hero who deserves to be a star, then your chance to nominate them for the Utility Week Stars Awards has just been extended. The deadline for entries for the 2018 awards scheme, celebrating those who are the pride of the industry, has been extended by two weeks to Tuesday 3 April. It gives executives and managers a final chance to nominate teams and individuals in their organisation for recognition, at a ceremony that will take place in Manchester in June. The accolades are designed to showcase the contributions of utilities' employees to company performance and the delivery of critical services to UK consumers. They are also an opportunity to highlight outstanding schemes for collaboration with communities, the supply chain and edu- cation in the interests of improving sector image and efficiency. The Utility Week Stars Awards are a unique way for companies to thank their workforce and to help their talent, commit- ment, and leadership really shine. Awards day, at the Hilton, Deansgate, Manchester, is 29 June. Categories are listed on facing page. The Utility Week Stars Awards are open to companies of all sizes from all parts of the utilities industry. The initiative, project or campaign in most cases should be com- pleted during 2016/17. For full details and to nominate your utilities heroes go to www.utilityweekstars.co.uk to find out more. Reaching out for Stars The Utility Week Stars Awards returns at the end of June to recognise the unsung frontline heroes of the utilities industry – and there's still time to nominate someone special for a gong. JUDGES' TOP TIPS This year's judges come from across the world of utilities, consumer policy, technology, training and innovation. Below, some offer their top tips for entries. • Mark Smith, CEO of innovation and growth experts WRc (Big Bang Award for Innovation, and Hero [Team] categories) "WRc is committed to leading and driving innovation across the water and energy sectors. I'm delighted to be judging the awards this year and am looking forward to learning more from the entrants about their game-changing examples of innovation resulting in significant benefits to customers." • Chris Wood, chief executive of compliance, technical, and safety training provider Develop Training (DTL) (Rising Star, Shooting Star and Guiding Star categories) "I'll be looking for evidence of passion and commitment; the difference between 'doing the day-job' and really standing out. "Entries should demonstrate what real differences have been made and how the entrants' star qualities really shine through." • Mike Foster, Chief Executive, Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA) (Long Service, Constellation Award for Utilities Collaboration category) "For the Long Service Award, I'm looking not just for years served but for what that person has contributed to the industry in their long service and perhaps how they have adapted to the changing environment in which they have worked. "For any award on collaboration, the absolute must is to see what has been achieved as a result of sharing knowledge and experience. For this, evidence of outcomes is the key. Collaboration should not be about just information sharing but acting upon what's been shared." • Lynn Cooper, chief executive, Institute of Water (Rising Star, Shooting Star and Guiding Star categories) "My stars would have to be reliable, keen to make a difference and willing to listen, learn and act." • Mark Dunk, Head of Engineering, Energy Networks Association (Health and Safety categories) "It is important to recognise the people working in the utilities essential for society to function in the 21st Century. I am looking for demonstration of a positive attitude to both emergency and routine tasks, as well as an aptitude for achieving whatever is necessary to succeed in those tasks."

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