Double first for Aster Group in Wiltshire Business of the Year Awards
Aster Group bagged a brace of prizes at the Wiltshire Business of the Year Awards ceremony, held in Swindon, on Friday evening (2nd March), winning in two new categories. Aster Group won the Property and Construction category and Sarsen Housing Association won the Service to the Community award.
Aster’s success in the Property and Construction category was due to the significant and beneficial contribution it has made to the physical environment in Wiltshire, its commitment to working closely with partners, clients and contractors and for its overall commitment to the environment. The judges also applauded the Group’s approach to training and particularly mentioned the Management Academy that has 60 managers enrolled from across the Group.
Richard Kitson, Aster Group Chief Executive praised the efforts of all whose achievements had been recognised by the awards.
“We were up against some very innovative and dynamic companies in the final and I am delighted that the judges were impressed by both the quality of our schemes and the commitment to development and training across the Group.”
Sarsen’s Service to the Community award reflected the hard work that the association has undertaken in Tidworth over the past two years, getting residents of all ages involved and supporting community activity. The work started with a £175,000 regeneration programme in an area which had suffered from a relatively high tenancy turnover and bad reputation. Following surveys, close consultation and resident involvement, security was improved, the area was smartened up and recycling introduced.
Sarsen has subsequently worked well with the Tidworth community on a range of initiatives that gave residents the chance to have a say about the projects they would like to get involved in. As a result of the consultation, Sarsen was at the forefront of helping the community to win a grant aid from the Home Office to provide a football pitch for youngsters on Ministry of defence land near George V Road in the town.
Amongst the 45 finalists across the eight categories, Aster and Sarsen were the only not-for-profit organisations to be short-listed in these county-wide awards.
