Key Highlights from the End of Year Business Review 2025

Our End of Year Business Review brought colleagues together from across the business for a day of reflection, inspiration, and planning. As always, the EYBR sets a reminder of how far we’ve come and the collective ambition driving us into 2026.

From celebrating outstanding achievements to building belief, exploring our values, and learning from extraordinary guest speakers, the day reinforced the commitment that makes our business so strong.

Reflecting on Success & Alignment for the Future

The day opened with Jamie Hartles, Simon Emms and Carl Waterer sharing context from the last 12 months, recognising:

• Continued business growth
• Strong customer partnerships
• Expanding capabilities
• Confidence in our strategy and the opportunity ahead

Presentations were delivered discussing logistics, property, power and our overall financial position. Teams then explored how our values continue to shape success and how they support performance.

Guest Speakers:

Lizzy Yarnold – Double Olympic Gold Medallist
Shared insights on sustaining high performance, continuous improvement, and keeping the belief after success.

Talan Skeels-Piggin
Inspired teams through his story of resilience and commitment, highlighting mindset as a performance tool.

A Shared Commitment to 2026

As the day closed, leaders reflected on:

• How we continue to win and grow
• Which behaviours we need to amplify
• The shared commitments needed to embed our values at every level

We leave this year aligned, optimistic, and ready to build on strong foundations.

End of Year Awards

Each year we have an awards evening where we celebrate the best across our business. We are pleased to announce our winners:

Driver of the Year – Paul Whitehead (Middleton/Manchester)

Recognised for exceptional professionalism, dedication to safety, and his work as Driver Trainer and Mental Health First Aider. Paul consistently goes above and beyond to support colleagues and build customer trust, a true leader on and off the road.

 

Warehouse Operative of the Year – Karolina Domagala (Swindon)

Celebrated for significant impact across vending and warehouse operations, building strong relationships and driving continuous improvement. Karolina demonstrates calm resilience, proactive problem-solving, and a passion for developing others.

 

Central Support Manager of the Year – Lizzie Windus

Acknowledged for strong leadership through complex change, introducing key HR systems and enhancing cross-functional collaboration. Lizzie’s capability, care, and results-driven mindset make her an invaluable partner to the business.

 

Manager of the Year – Kristina Gough (Swindon)

Awarded for transforming transport performance, lifting service levels from 60% to 95%, and strengthening driver onboarding, engagement, and safety. Kristina’s leadership delivers real business impact.

 

Contract of the Year – Vending

Following the move from Sunbury to Swindon, the Vending team delivered exceptional growth and stability, extending contracts, scaling operations, and building deep customer trust.

 

Depot of the Year – Ashby

For delivering excellence across H&S, customer satisfaction, and engagement, including a record 6,500+ e-commerce orders dispatched in a single day. A strong culture, commercial wins, and operational excellence set a standout benchmark.

 

H&S Achievement Award – Sharpness

Recognised for a step-change in H&S performance, strengthening compliance and reducing LTIs and RIDDORs. Sharpness continues to set new safety standards for the network.

 

‘Living Our Values’ Award – Gosia Ponikiewska

Celebrated for transforming the 2-person operation through process improvement, enhanced communication, and cross-site collaboration. Gosia is a natural mentor whose resilience and dedication exemplify our values.

This year’s End of Year Business Review reinforced how far we’ve come and the bold opportunity ahead. With renewed clarity, shared belief, and a deep commitment to our values, we’re well-placed to continue growing, innovating, and delivering for our customers.

Thank you to everyone involved in shaping a fantastic day, and congratulations once again to all our award winners.

Together, we move forward; connected, resilient, progressive, and supportive.