University celebrates staff ingenuity

The Professional Services Recognition Awards identified and celebrated the outstanding contributions of people who work in Professional Services for their dedication to the University, its students and visitors.

The Grounds Team who maintain the gardens and walkways received the much coveted ‘Registrar and Deputy Chief Executive Award’ for their endeavours during challenging circumstances. David Allen, University of Exeter Registrar and Deputy Chief Executive said, ‘The Award is for the immaculate way in which they keep the grounds and have continued to do so through the construction period. It is also for their superb efforts during the adverse weather conditions in 2010, where they acted above and beyond the call of duty to help keep the campuses open.’

Head of the winning team Director of Grounds, Iain Park said, ‘We are overwhelmed to have won the Registrar’s award, it’s fantastic that the team’s hard work has been recognised in this way. I am very proud of the team who do an amazing job throughout the year to keep the campus looking the way it does. Our custodianship of the University’s wonderful landscape is taken very seriously by all in the team and we are happy that it gives so many people such pleasure.’

Some of the 275 students who live in James Owen Court residence will know of Barbara Quick the Domestic Assistant whose caring nature and kindness has supported many students over the year. During the Christmas break Barbara took three international students on a trip to Dartmoor and for lunch. She also attended a graduation ceremony, in her own time, for a student who didn’t have any family in this country to be with them on their special day. Identifying the needs of students also extended to helping a student move their belongings into private accommodation at the end of the year when there was no one else to assist them. For this reason Barbara has won the ‘Heroine of the Year Award’ for her generosity in doing her bit for the student experience.

The awards ranged from the most ‘Outstanding team of the Year’ to ‘Outstanding Customer Service’ and ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Community and Environment.’  Estate Patrol Security Team won the latter for gaining greater respect from the local community by stepping in to fill a gap in services during the period when the community patrollers finish at midnight and when police were committed to more serious crimes taking place across the city. This form of action also helped to enhance the reputation of the University and the team now take phone calls from local residents to manage any disturbances, as well as continuing to monitor the Streatham and St Luke’s campuses. 

The health and wellbeing of the students was given a substantial boost by the involvement of Simon Tyson who transformed the Intramural Sports programme aimed at lower ability sportsmen and women. As a former student and now as the Executive Officer for the Athletic Union which forms part of the Sports office, Simon worked hard to get over 200 students to join up to the scheme in term one of this year which was a 74% increase in previous years. This incredible success was honoured with the most ‘Outstanding Innovation/Project of the Year’ award.

Wendy Campbell who works as a receptionist within Academic Support on the Cornwall campus secured most ‘Outstanding Customer Service’ for being such an unbelievably cheerful person who has the most positive attitude regardless of how she is approached or the pressure she is under.

The final two awards for 'Outstanding Team of the Year' and 'Value for Money' were given to the Library Customer Services Team for sensitively managing the inevitable complaints and criticisms about noise levels and access during the development of the Forum. They worked hard, pulled together during the time of change and continued to provide first class service. The Procurement Team won the most ‘Outstanding Value for Money’ award for delivering savings of £3.9 million in 2009/2010 which was up 50% on 2008/2009 figures.  They did this by challenging existing practices, encouraging best practice which helped to train colleagues and provide project management skills throughout the process.