BELFAST-based company, Mount Charles, another return sponsor in this year’s Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards, has announced an “outstanding start” to 2018.
The leading Irish food service, cleaning, security and vending firm has recently secured several high profile contracts across the UK and Northern Ireland, as well as making a successful entry into the competitive Republic of Ireland market.
Now boasting almost 2,500 employees and servicing more than 350 customers, Mount Charles reported contract gains worth £37 million in December – a figure which contributed to an 18 per cent boost in its turnover.
It is another major marker on the ‘Road to £50 million’ strategy adopted by the company which was founded by chairman Trevor Annon in 1988.
Mr Annon, who had spent a number of years working in the contract catering industry, set out to grow his company based on an understanding of the importance of customer service, linked into a "family-run, personal approach", while still being able to compete with the multi-nationals.
“We continue to make significant strides with regard to meeting the objectives set by our ‘Road to £50m’ strategy,” he said.
“This strategy details our commitment to secure a £50m turnover by 2020 and recent company success means we are well within reach.”
Mount Charles has also made “quite an impression” in the Republic of IrelandI market, he said, securing contracts worth a combined €9m with the Public Appointments Service, Ordinance Survey Ireland, the Abbey Theatre, National Aquatic Centre and Custom House - home to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.
“A connection with companies of such calibre and profile ensure that the Mount Charles name will now be more than a whisper for ROI businesses seeking support services,” he said.
“We appreciate the growing need for every business to focus on their day-to-day operations and we are committed to delivering innovative and turnkey solutions that take care of everything else.”
Success, though, has not been limited to new markets. Joining recent wins with the NI Ambulance Service, Terex, CAFRE (College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise) in Antrim, and the Northern Regional College, is a new contract with the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service which is worth £1.25m.
“Our vision is to be both a business partner and employer of choice throughout Ireland and the UK, based on the delivery of the highest standard of service - and, with continued high levels of engagement and effort from our growing employee base, we are confident we are exactly that,” Mr Annon added.
Celebrating an eighth consecutive year on the Deloitte Best Managed Companies in Ireland list, this is the second year Mount Charles has been a business partner of the Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards.
“Our company ethos is founded on family, with our employees being right at the heart of everything we do,” Mr Annon stressed.
“Involvement in such a unique awards programme that recognises the efforts of leading companies to create a positive working environment for their employees, reinforces our commitment to the people who show up for us every day.
“The calibre of last year’s entrants was outstanding and no doubt this year the standard will be even higher.
“I would urge all businesses to consider applying. It is such an esteemed and respected awards initiative which communicates a lot about your business and the importance you place on employee welfare.”
:: The Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards take place in Titanic Belfast on Thursday June 14. Entries must be submitted by noon on Friday April 27 and the short-listed companies will be revealed in the Irish News on Thursday May 17.
:: More details at wea.irishnews.com and follow us on Twitter @IrishNewsWEA
