Anni wins apprentice of the year

Focus SB supply chain warehouse operative Anni Sanders wins 'Apprentice of the Year' at the Insider Media Made in the South East Awards - East Sussex, United Kingdom, 2023-12-04

Anni attended the tenth edition of Insider’s annual Made in the South East awards with her parents and Mrs Val Chandler, assembly manager Focus SB, St Leonards on Sea premium electrical accessories manufacturer, and was over the moon when it was announced she’d won ‘Apprentice of the Year’. 

Created to celebrate South East manufacturing excellence, Made in the South East Awards judge Mr Paul Hetherington, strategic advisor BRE Group commented: “Being a judge at these was really difficult, great to see the worthy winners so happy. Especially the one I presented for Apprentice of the Year to Anni Sanders of Focus SB.”

Mrs Val Chandler, assembly manager Focus SB said: “It was a great night! We at Focus SB are trying to bring on the next generation to keep doing what Focus is good at. Anni is an absolute pleasure to mentor and has taken everything that has been shown on board and learns something new every day. It's bringing the confidence out and working within a team which is not an easy thing to do when you are always doubting yourself. I say let there be more Annis!”

Anni’s proud parents Mr and Mrs Sanders attended the awards with Mrs Saunders thanking Focus SB for its support for Anni on her career journey saying: “Thank you Focus SB for being such a great employer and helping Anni reach her potential, and special thanks to Val Chandler.”

The compere for the evening was Mr Philip Cunliffe, Insider Media regional business editor, with the event sponsored by Cardinal Global Logistics, Crowe UK and HSBC UK, with the networking booklets sponsored by EMC.

Ends

Editors notes

Focus SB® is an award winning innovative British manufacturer renowned for the design, development and specialist hand finishing of premium electrical wiring accessories, blending traditional artisan techniques with the latest technology; specified for world class hospitality and leisure resorts, prime residential developments, heritage buildings, royal residences, superyachts and commercial projects both domestically and internationally.

The King's Awards for Enterprise winner for excellence in International Trade in 2023, with the winner trophy presented by HRH The Princess Royal on 22nd November, Focus SB made history in its industry in 2017 when the company became the first and only British and European manufacturer to gain CQC factory accreditation to supply and sell wiring accessories directly from Europe to China, also gaining full CCC licence for all of its products for the Chinese marketplace.

The company’s specialist capabilities include electrical accessory design, development and testing; bespoke metal plate design and manufacture; specialist metal finishing and complex supply chain project management. Focus SB commenced trading in 1979 and exports to Asia, the Middle East, Malta and West Africa. Projects include Aspen at Consort Place, Twenty Grosvenor Square, Belmond Cadogan Hotel, Corinthia London, Royal Lancaster London, Chelsea Barracks, No.1 Grosvenor Square, The Glebe, Hampton Court Palace, Windsor Castle, The Londoner Macao and Pudong Airport Satellite Terminal VIP lounges.

Focus SB is committed to reducing its carbon footprint by taking all appropriate measures to minimise any impact on the environment throughout the business from operational to manufacturing processes. The company's green energy investment plans have included solar panel, LED lighting and electric car charging points installation. Laser marking technology enables Focus SB to offer a standard alternative to screen printing, for improved fine detail quality and to significantly limit the use of environmentally damaging consumables and reduce waste.

Focus SB is a Disability Confident Employer since 2017 and is committed to creating equal opportunities and a diverse and inclusive workforce, seeing the company work closely with local charity Little Gate Supported Employment for over four years.

UK press contact: Suzi Baker, Balance Web Marketing +PR suzi@balancewebmarketing.co.uk