Anchor Removals, of Manchester has won the award for the ‘Best Employer’ from Salford Business Awards.

In presenting the award the judges said that they recognised that 2018/2019 had been the most challenging of years for the company, but they applauded its continuing focus on employees.  They said that Anchor was the only company in its sector to deliver the real living wage and no zero hours contracts.  The award was presented by ITV’s BAFTA award winning journalist Elaine Wilcox.

Chris Smallwood, Managing Director, said that winning the award would send a message to customers and colleagues within the industry of the benefits of good employment practices and would set an example to all and give the company the profile and recognition it deserved and needed.

On accepting the award he said, “This is a recognition of our dedication to good working practices driven by both personal, emotional and good business reasons.” He said that better staff retention and reduced sick days were two of the reasons why being a good employer was beneficial.  He also paid tribute to his long-term employees: Ellen Hughes (fellow director), Martin Edmondson, Gavin Ryan, Paul Doxey, Reece Jones and Chris Heyworth.

Chris also said that customers were now making the conscious decision to take up his company’s services based purely on the company’s ethical approach to employment and that many industry operatives were approaching Anchor for work.  He said that all the company employees had come from either the black economy or off benefits demonstrating that the company was having a substantial positive social impact for its size.

Anchor removals employs 10 people turning over £600,000 per annum. It was also a runner up at these awards in 2017.