Sally Willis of Fantastic Media
She's been hailed as a fantastic asset to a Fantastic business.
Sally Willis joined Birstall-based integrated marketing agency Fantastic Media in 2013 as account manager and has quickly progressed to become a senior member of the team.
As head of client services, she’s responsible for managing the seven-strong client services team, looking after the daily and long-term needs of clients and developing strategic campaigns to meet and exceed expectations and objectives.
Her personable and professional manner has ensured the continued commitment from established clients and instilled confidence and excitement in new clients.
She is also keen to develop the agency through training and mentoring junior members of the organisation, encouraging team activities and raising funds for the Huddersfield Town Foundation.
Sally also invests in her own learning, recently enrolling on a personal development programme to improve on her management and leadership skills.
Her recent successes include delivering a successful e-commerce strategy for construction equipment supplier Deborah Services Ltd and securing Fantastic’s sponsorship of Barnsley FC – a two-year deal which sees Fantastic retain its standing as the club’s dedicated marketing agency.
Colleagues praise her as “trustworthy, passionate and determined” and say these traits come across at board meetings, client meetings and in the day-to-day office environment.
Beth Saville, account manager at Fantastic Media, said: “Sally is a fantastic role model and manager. She is approachable and always has an open door for staff to speak to her.”
Denika Devine of Maverick's 80s Lounge
Hard work and determination are the key to success for Denika Devine.
Just over 10 years after arriving in the UK, the South African-born businesswoman has risen to the top of the management structure at nightspot operator Maverick’s – and played a major role in its success.
Denika was instrumental in helping Maverick’s – which has 80s-themed sites at King Street in Huddersfield and at Horsforth – secure backing from pub group Greene King to expand the Maverick’s brand to five more sites in Yorkshire, with the eventual aim of establishing a national franchise.
She made a major contribution to the successful launch of Maverick’s in Horsforth in June last year, since when the business has gone from strength to strength.
Based on Greene King’s trading figures, the site has achieved barrelage figures vastly bigger than those for the sports bar which previously occupied the premises.
Denika co-presented a Dragon’s Den-style pitch to Greene King, which secured its backing for the roll-out of the Maverick’s brand across the north – including the acquisition of premises in Sowerby Bridge.
Samuel Baker, Maverick’s managing director said: “It was a major achievement for someone who never had formal presentation training or experience to win over a panel of directors from a multi-billion pound company such as Greene King.”
Maverick’s – which has the motto “drink, dine and dance” – opened in Huddersfield three years ago “with zero response” on its first night of trading, but six months later had customers queuing to get in.
Now it is a hot spot on the Huddersfield nightclub scene.
Rosalyn Raine of Rosenbauer UK plc
She's one of the best – and that’s official.
Rosalyn Raine, operations director for Brockholes-based fire fighting equipment supplier Rosenbauer UK plc, has received praise from the very top! Dr Dieter Siegel, chief executive officer of Austrian-based parent Rosenbauer Group described her as one of the best administrative offices in the entire group – which employs 3,000 people in total.
Rosalyn joined North Fire plc, which later became Rosenbauer UK, in 2010 since when she has contributed “immensely” to its growth from a £1m to a £6m turnover company employing 16 people.
During her career with the firm, she has implemented both ISO9001 and ISO14001 quality standards to the highest level possible with certification inspectors consistently commenting on her efficiency.
Rosalyn’s duties also include drafting tendering documents for the latest fire brigade contracts to the highest possible standard – an essential element for any supplier to the public sector.
Managing director Oliver North said: “Rosalyn has worked tirelessly, almost always working over her contracted hours, to ensure the highest level of service possible has been delivered to Rosenbauer UK’s customer base of fire and rescue services.”
Rosalyn manages an administrative team of six – and retains her “relentless ambition” to make Rosenbauer UK the world’s most efficient supplier to the fire and rescue services with the fastest reacting and most attentive team possible.
Mr North said Rosalyn would continue to contribute to the firm’s success – and its new strategy aimed at achieving £9m in sales over the next 12 months and £20m sales by 2020 through an increase in truck sales and market share, a big rise in exports and efficient and comprehensive manufacturing.
He said a “huge portion” of the company’s success was down to Rosalyn.
