It’s that time of year again where we slap on the sun cream, kick up our heels, and enjoy some well-deserved summer fun out of the office. In true diversified tradition, everyone took part in a morning activity before – event director by day and stand-up comedian by night – Chris Brazier revealed the Star Awards of the Brighton office (accompanied with a BBQ, games and drinks on the beach).
Firstly, we were challenged to come up with a team name and a team cheer, where the most creative won a prize. After much deliberation (and a heated cheer-off) the winners were ‘the sausage team’ (pictured above) made up of Paul Warren (finance director), Louisa Pope (awards manager), Zoe Lacey-Cooper (event director, Accountex), Alys Faultless (publishing executive, Natural Beauty News), and Helen Milton (operations director) whose “GO sausage, GO sausage, pink sausage GO!” cheer became the favourite of the day.
To test out our team spirit, and cheers, we then ventured to Yellow Wave on Brighton seafront to play some (Hawaiian themed) Volleyball and Mini Golf.
After some impressive Baywatch dives and Tiger Wood swings, the winning teams were:
Volleyball: Chris Brazier (group event director of lunch! Casual Dining & Commercial Kitchen); Roger Denyer (design director); Steph Wiley (finance assistant); and Sharna Waid (PR executive) – showing their best ‘winners pose’ below…
Mini Golf: Alex Oliver (senior sales executive, Casual Dining); Dan Reeves (graphic designer); Natalie Boden (finance manager); Rachel Gregory (senior sales executive, Accountex); and Sophie Pink (operations executive) – Dan seen here fashioning the trophy as a crown…
This was shortly followed by the announcements of our 2016 Star Award winners, who had to limbo for their certificate!
Nice Threads Award (Best office outfits)
Lydia Neil (office manager) and Paul Warren (finance director)
Champagne Award (Most sparkling personality)
Zoe Lacey-Cooper (event director, Accountex)
Barista Award (Most likely to be making tea or coffee in DivCaf)
Ross Harris (graphic designer)
The Bargain Hunter (Most likely to spot a deal)
Stephanie Wiley (finance assistant)
Sweet Tooth Award (Most likely to sniff out chocolate/sweets/biscuits left in the kitchen)
George Baker (sales manager, Natural & Organic Products Europe)
West End Superstar (Most likely to leave their job to become a West End star)
Alice Fulton (Senior Sales Executive, SITS)
Walk of Fame (Most recognisable walk)
Chris Brazier (group event director, lunch!, Casual Dining & Commercial Kitchen)
Mr or Ms Fitness (Most athletic or most likely to be at the gym)
Nicola Cowles (sales manager, lunch!)
LOL Award (Best laugh)}
Sophie Pink (operations executive)
Partners in Crime (Two inseparable buds of the office)
Stef Wiley (finance assistant) and Jess Sullivan (sales ledger controller)
Ship Wrecked Award (Most likely to survive on a deserted island)
Roger Denyer (design director)
Momma or Papa Bear Award (Most caring ‘mum or dad figure’ of the office)
Carol Dunning (event director, Natural & Organic Products Europe)
Last One Standing (Last one to leave any Div Social event)
Tom Englehart (finance assistant)
Brown Bag Award (Best lunches)
Amanda Thackary (senior sales executive, camexpo)
Bermuda Triangle Award (Most likely to “borrow” something and then it’s never seen again)
Sam Sloan (marketing director)
Congrats to our star awards of 2016, and special thanks to Chris Brazier (group director), and the ‘fun committee’ made up of Lydia Neil (office manager), Jenni Sandells (HR and facilities coordinator), Rachel Gregory (senior sales executive, Accountex), Steph Wiley (finance assistant), and Sharna Waid (PR executive).