Colleagues from across a major regional employer gathered last week to celebrate excellence and dedication at a special ceremony. The annual Hales Group Awards took place in Peterborough on June 4, recognising teams and individuals from Hales Care and Hales Jobs who have made exceptional contributions over the past year.
Awards were presented across central services, recruitment, and home care divisions to celebrate outstanding performance and commitment. Among the winners was Irene Amarante, a digital media and marketing manager, who received the Judges Special Recognition Award for more than 10 years of service.
Irene said: “It was a wonderful reminder of how far I’ve come since joining Hales after university. I am very thankful to Hales and everyone who has supported and challenged me to grow year after year. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and this recognition only motivates me to continue learning, improving, and contributing to the company’s ongoing success.”
Other major winners included Lacey Lazell from Essex, who was named Frontline Care and Support Worker of the Year. Gemma Havelock from Ipswich won Care Coordinator of the Year, while Emma Eaglen from Letchworth was named Permanent Recruitment Consultant of the Year. Magdalena Parczewska from Diss took home Temporary Recruitment Consultant of the Year, and Shelly Beech from Sheffield won Leader of the Year.
Clare Morrison won the award for Person in a Supporting Role, and James Cairns was named the Rising Star. The Central Quality Team won Team of the Year after helping the business achieve 100% 'Good' inspection outcomes over the last 12 months. Rebecca Bunyan-Terry was named Hales Hero of the Year for her work as a care manager at Cornell Court Extra Care.
Francesca Barnes, from the quality department, commented: “Winning Team of the Year means more than I can fully put into words. For me, it created a deep sense of pride, the kind that sits right at your core. It felt like a moment where all the hard work, the long days, and even the tough moments suddenly made complete sense. For my team, it was exactly the same. They were beaming. We couldn’t stop smiling or talking about it. It felt like a shared achievement that truly reflected who they are: supportive, committed, and united. This award belongs to them because they show up for each other, for me, and for managers across the organisation, always ready to help, step in, and support wherever they’re needed.”
Emma Eaglen shared her joy at winning her recruitment category for the second year running. Emma said: “Winning Permanent Recruitment Consultant of the Year for the second year running means a huge amount to me. I don’t think you ever expect to hear your name called (especially again), so it was a real mix of surprise, pride, and just feeling incredibly grateful. For me, it’s not just about the award itself, but what it represents. Recruitment is all about people-building relationships, earning trust, and genuinely understanding what both clients and candidates need. To be recognised for that, and to know that a consistent, relationship-led approach is making an impact, is really special.”
Nicola Mewse, from the organisation, praised the overall success of the event. Nicola said: “The Hales Group Awards are more than just recognition. They highlight the talent, dedication, and performance that drive our growth in both Homecare services and the Hales Jobs recruitment division. Our teams in all parts of the organisation provide excellent care and support within communities, connect talent to opportunities, help UK businesses with workforce solutions, and contribute to sustainable growth in challenging markets. Those recognised this year represent the best of our organisation, demonstrating the collective effort of colleagues throughout the business who work every day to make a difference. As we invest, grow, and adapt, it’s the blend of people, purpose, and performance that will lead our next phase of progress. Thank you to everyone in Team Hales—this success is yours.”
