Manx Telecom has won a prestigious award for its staff share scheme. The Island’s leading communications company won the ‘Best New Share Plan’ category at the ifs ProShare Annual Awards which were announced at a gala dinner in London. Manx Telecom became a plc in February 2014 following a successful flotation on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange. The directors were keen for everyone in the business to have a stake in its future development and growth, so shortly after the flotation all of its employees were given 500 free shares, and a Sharesave Scheme was established through YBS Share Plans.

Manx Telecom was alongside some major corporations who also won ifs ProShare Awards this year, including Aviva, BT Group plc, Asda, Royal Dutch Shell, Prudential plc, Barratt Developments and UBS. Now in their 23rd year, the awards recognise and reward innovation and achievement in the field of employee share plans. It also highlights best practice and innovation in the design, communication and delivery of employee share plans and other share ownership arrangements across a variety of companies, large and small, new and established.

John McChesney, Manx Telecom Human Resources Director, commented: “We’re very proud to win this award which represents an independent endorsement of the success of our share scheme. We have approximately 300 employees with an average length of service of 13 years, and as a growing business with ambitions to develop and progress further it is essential that we continue to attract and retain the highest possible calibre of employees. The share scheme is part of a much wider initiative to develop and enhance our reputation as an employer of choice. It has proved to be extremely popular and just over 80% of eligible colleagues have joined.”

The Awards Dinner was held on December 2 at the Grand Connaught Rooms in Central London and hosted by comedian, presenter and writer, Mark Dolan. All of the award winners were chosen by a judging panel chaired by Robin Kerner, Assistant Secretary-Share Schemes at National Grid.

Earlier this year Manx Telecom won the ‘Best Telecommunications plc in the UK’ prize at the Stock Market Awards, and the company’s launch of the Island’s first 4G network earned it the ‘Riva Financial Systems Award for Excellence in the Use of Technology’ at the 2015 Isle of Man Newspapers Awards for Excellence.

Phto - Manx Telecom Human Resources Director John McChesney (centre) accepts the ifs ProShare ‘Best New Share Plan’ Award on behalf of the company. He is pictured with awards host Mark Dolan, and Gabbi Stopp who is Head of Employee Ownership at ProShare.