Trafford Housing Trust named one of the UK’s best employers (From Messenger Newspapers)

Trafford Housing Trust named one of the UK’s best employers in Sunday Times list

12:20pm Saturday 9th March 2013 in News

TRAFFORD Housing Trust is celebrating after being named as one of the country's best employers in the Sunday Times 100 Best Not-For-Profit Organisations.

At an awards ceremony at Battersea Evolution in London on February 27, the trust was placed 54th, up from 100 on the list last year.

It is the fourth consecutive year that the trust has been named in the top 100, with the 2013 list being compiled after 896 organisations took part in the Sunday Times staff engagement survey.

The trust was also recognised in the best companies category, particularly for the work done to support communities in the neighbourhoods of Trafford through two social enterprises.

Rainbow is a furniture reclaim business that provides much needed second hand furniture and household appliances to families in need, and Clean Start works with the police and prison service to employ ex-offenders so that they do not return to a life of crime.

This initiative has also been praised by the Ministry of Justice. In the Times survey the trust's managers scored eighth overall in developing their staff to fulfil their full potential at work, and ninth in supporting them to succeed in their roles. In their survey responses, over three-quarters of staff confirmed that they feel positively challenged by the work that they do.

Matthew Gardiner, chief executive of the trust, said: "I am very proud to lead an organisation with such talented and dedicated people. Everyone here plays their part in making it a special workplace and this translates into excellent services being provided to our customers.

“We are committed to remaining a top employer, supporting staff to achieve through continuous learning and development. I believe this is particularly important with the current rate of change in the workplace today.

"Last year we introduced a new Apprentice Scheme to provide opportunities to young people and as part of our succession planning. This was an award winning scheme which will be repeated again this year.

"We were the largest employer to take part in Business in the Communities 'Give and Gain' Day, with almost 320 staff volunteering to make improvements within the local community for a full day and this year we will extend our involvement with this initiative.

“2013 is an exciting year for us as a company and I look forward to working alongside my fantastic staff team to continue making a positive difference to the lives of people living and working in Trafford".