WARRINGTON based document management company the Sharples Group has beaten competitors including Chester Zoo and Jodrell Bank to win the coveted “Most Responsible Business Practice in Cheshire Award” in the prestigious High Sheriff of Cheshire Enterprise Awards.
A four hundred strong audience at the Cheshire Racecourse awards ceremony saw Sharples Group’s Managing Director Mark Brocklehurst collect the award on behalf of his 39 years old company before turning towards colleagues and shouting: “We nailed it!”
After the event, the 54 years old entrepreneur who took over the £3.2 million turn-over business in a management buy-out with fellow director David Griffiths explained: “I am delighted with this result because David and I have been running this business on a ‘Principle before Profit’ basis.
“I believe winning this award proves that our ‘principle before profit’ philosophy is having a very positive impact on our business. People can tell we are different and appreciate our entirely honest & transparent approach.
“We care passionately about the impact that anyone coming into contact with us experiences. So we have focused on our people, our customers, the environment and our community and charitable engagement.
“Both David and I are committed to running our business honestly and with respect for our customers and workforce. We also believe in supporting positive campaigns, charities and communities.
“Sharples has raised nearly £500,000 for North West based charities in the last four years and has set up the Sharples Charity Committee which looks for worthy causes which we can support. We have assisted charities including St Roccos, Brainwaves, Warrington Wolves Foundation and Bolton Lads and Girls Club, to name just a few.”
Mark has also authorised the provision of free printers and other equipment to a number of charities who have found themselves desperate for help. In addition to this they provided some free state of the art copiers to local primary schools that can erase the toner after the prints had been used which allowed the paper to be re-used again and again.
Sharples staff have taken on fundraising challenges including Zip Wire Slides, Triathlons, Three Peaks adventures as well as Dress Down and Cake Bake days. In fact Mark volunteered to be a rower in a demanding and potentially dangerous trans-Atlantic rowing challenge which ultimately raised a considerable sum for a number of charities.
“We talk the talk and walk the walk when it comes down to looking after our planet, that’s why we are an accredited Carbon Zero company committed to reducing our carbon footprint,” added Mark. “We also have a policy of channeling our efforts into our staff so that they can become the best they can be.
“Sharples is an ethical and caring organisation that takes its responsibilities to its team, its customers and community very seriously. I am convinced the judges in the High Sheriff’s Award team had no trouble recognising that fact and I am grateful and absolutely delighted that they chose us as the winners of the ‘Most Responsible Business Practice’ Award.”
For further information click onto www.sharplesgroup.com
