Diageo Ireland Demand has been named the ‘Best Large Place to Work’ at the Annual Best Workplace Awards, beating a number of top international companies across the island of Ireland including Microsoft, PepsiCo and McDonalds in the process. The awards, now in their 11th year, were the most competitive to date, with more than one hundred firms from across the island of Ireland participating in the audit.

The leading global drinks company, which employees 400 staff across its four Northern Ireland sites, recently announced its interim results which highlighted 14% global growth for the iconic Bushmills brand whilst the company’s facility at Mallusk now supplies 65% of the world’s Baileys.

Michael McCann, Country Director Diageo Northern Ireland said, “We are delighted to receive the prestigious award ‘Best Place to Work’ and we would like to thank and congratulate all of our employees on this incredible achievement. We are very proud of our dedicated staff and of their commitment to always provide the highest standards of service and excellence.

“It is a priority for Diageo to continue to invest in its employees and we work closely with our teams to ensure that Diageo is a great place to work. We have a talented and committed team who coordinate exciting programmes and events and encourage involvement in activities. Our commitment to charities and the Northern Ireland Hospice also presents excellent opportunities for staff to participate. At Diageo Northern Ireland we are also dedicated to improving employee health and well-being through our workplace health scheme, including the ‘Made of Less” weight loss challenge where we donate £2 to charity for every pound lost by staff and our “Walk for Wellbeing” challenge where staff are given pedometers and encouraged to walk at least 10,000 steps every day.

“This award will support our work in providing a stimulating working environment which reflects Diageo’s values and the energy, commitment and enthusiasm that everyone in the business brings to work every day,” concluded Michael.

Diageo Ireland Supply performed very well with Paul Armstrong, Supply Chain Director at Diageo Europe Beer shortlisted in the most trusted leader category, the ‘Best Leader Award’, one of only four business leaders to be nominated.

Operated by the Great Places to Work Institute, firms go through a rigorous selection process, including a detailed survey of staff attitudes alongside a rigorous culture assessment. According to the institute, The Great Place to Work list “highlights organisations that create and maintain an environment of trust in the workplace”.

Other award winners included:

• Jones Lang LaSalle - Best Small Workplace• Mars Ireland - Best Medium Workplace• Kuehne+Nagel - Caring award• eBay Inc - Listening award• Microsoft - Developing award• Alan Cox from Core Media - Ireland's Most Trusted Leader award• Valeria Mannu EMC Ireland - Great Place to Work Ambassador award• Genzyme Ireland - Great Place to Work Team award

Pictured are Lynn Graham, HR Business Partner Diageo Northern Ireland and Michael McCann, Country Director Diageo Northern Ireland

ENDsFor further information please contact Gemma Bell, Corporate Relations Diageo NI, 028 90167325