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Ward has triumphed as winners of the Midlands & Central Family Business of the Year 2019, hot on the heels of double award wins at Midlands Family Business of the Year 2018, Business Masters Awards and the Derby Telegraph Business Awards 2019.

Specialists in metal recycling and waste management Ward is a fourth generation family business operating from six UK sites. Established over 70 years ago they are nearing a £150 million turnover and are the largest independent metal and waste recycling company in the East Midlands.

The Family Business of the Year Awards, organised by Family Business United, celebrate the vital contribution that family businesses of all sizes play in the UK economy.  Innovation, investment, passion and pride are evident in family businesses across the UK confirming that the family business has much to celebrate.

With around five million family firms in the UK providing around 12 million jobs and generating a significant contribution to GDP, these national awards help to put the family business sector on the map and give them the recognition they deserve.

The award is the 7^th win for Ward in less than six months, following on from being announced double winners at the Derby Telegraph Business Awards for ‘Company’ and ‘Employer of the Year’, scooping the ‘Best Large Business’ and ‘Best Family Business’ at the Businessdesk.com’s Business Masters awards and ‘Family Business’ and ‘Fastest Growing Family Business’ at the Midlands Family Business Awards.

Paul Andrews, Founder and Managing Director of Family Business United explained: “Ward are worthy winners and as a family firm for four generations remains innovative and ambitious with a reach not just in their region but across the UK.

“A business, like many other family firms across the UK that was built on hard work, hard work that has paid off as the firm is being recognised at many levels. This 400 strong family firm celebrates the fact that 10 per cent of the permanent workforce are family members and they have seven other families working for them too!”

“Ward get family and, with turnover having increased over 40% in the past 5 years, they get business too,” continues Paul.

The judges were impressed with how Ward provides a comfortable and safe environment for its team at its six sites including breakout areas, coffee machines and even a sports hall. The business also offers a series of staff incentives including rewards for positively reporting Health & Safety Near Misses, a Re-Wards programmes for new business leads, a cycle to work scheme, holidays for long service and discount cards for a local restaurant, plus charity activities to get everyone together as a team.

Teaming up with Derby College, Ward offers an apprentice academy taking on apprentices each year to train and upskill young people. It also invests significantly in training in all departments at all levels and has been continuously awarded Investors in People (IIP) since 2013.

Donald Ward, Commercial Manager and family member added that “Being named as the Family Business of the Year is a fantastic achievement and a true celebration of the phenomenal hard work of the team here at Ward.”

“To be recognised as the best family business on a national platform is an incredible achievement and a very proud moment for our family.  Over the last 70 years we have built up the business from a single site at Swadlincote with a handful of staff to six sites across the East Midlands and East Lincolnshire employing over 400 people. We are immensely proud of our achievements to date.”

For more information on Ward’s metal recycling and waste management capabilities visit www.ward.com.