The numbers came in for the Hull Trains team as it won an award in 2023, in the 23rd year of service at the 23rd Hull ceremony. It was named as the Best Place to Work.
Dave Kildae, simulator manager at Hull Trains, is a new recruit. “Over the moon” with the win, he said: “I have been with Hull Trains, despite my years, for six months. I have been on the employment market for 40-odd years and this is definitely the best place I have worked over my entire career, and it has been quite a diverse career.
“It is because everyone is so friendly, so open, and what that does is just allows engagement to thrive, and that is the key to a successful business. It is nice too that 23 years we have been in the market, and equally the Hull business awards also, so that’s quite a nice moment that we have received the award tonight.”
Colleague Michael Powell is head of safety and sustainability at First Rail, the parent company, and was back in his home town for the awards. He said: “I grew up in Hull, I’ve not lived here since I was 21 - so 22 years ago - but I’m now covering Hull Trains as part of my job. I see how amazing the people are. It really stands out how lovely and friendly people are in Hull. We have got an amazing company, great people that work with us, and as has been proved tonight, it is an amazing place to work.”
Premier Modular won the Environmental and Sustainability award.
Annelee Roscoe, ESG and HR director at the Brandesburton off-site construction specialist, where huge growth hasn’t detracted from efforts with its carbon footprint, said: This is so important to us, it is the culmination of a lot of hard work put in over the two years, We have really put a lot of focus into it and it is something that is really important to us.
“We see it as every organisation’s responsibility to be more sustainable and friendly to the environment and looking after our people and communities, so to get a prize that says we are doing well in that is just awesome.
“For a manufacturing entity to win this award, it is a great accolade. When you are a service industry it is so much easier to be Net Zero, but we work in a good sector, a good industry and all our products lend themselves well to decarbonisation and the whole ESG ethos.”
Small Business of the Year went to Hessle-based marketing agency Sowden & Sowden.
It came after a milestone year for the Hessle marketing agency with longevity celebrated. Polly, alongside father Paul, collected the accolade. “We are absolutely delighted to win this award and be recognised in our region,” she said. “We’re now more than 40 years in business, my Dad set up in 1982, and I have been with him for 26 years.”
Asked what the secret is, she said: “Always being innovative, always evolving, never sitting on our laurels and always making sure we make our clients an absolute success. Without them, we don’t exist.”
The company has an 18-strong team, with many present at the Hull Live Business Awards.
