A Chesham-based company has been honoured in a national awards ceremony.

J P Hildreth was named Employee-Owned (EO) Rising Star of the Year at the UK Employee Ownership Awards.

The company was recognised for its employee ownership practices and impacts, which include governance, employee voice representation, and engagement.

These practices have reportedly led to impressive impacts on turnover, investment in innovation, employees, and profit share.

The UK Employee Ownership Awards are sponsored by insurance company Howden and celebrate businesses and individuals who deliver effective employee ownership practices.

This year, the awards were presented at a gala dinner celebration on November 26 at the Telford International Centre, as part of the Employee Ownership Association’s (EOA) Annual Conference.

Other winners included Blue Flame Cornwall, which won EO Transition of the Year, and Shaw Healthcare, which was named Employee-Owned Business of the Year.

Tracey Calderdale, from 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan, was named Employee Owner of the Year.

Julian Richer was also recognised with the Philip Baxendale Fellowship Award for his long-term advocacy for employee ownership and business as a force for good.

The judging panel was made up of James de le Vingne, chief executive of the EOA, Martin Camp of awards sponsor Howden, and EOA Membership Council representatives Ruth Barker of Purcell and Antonio Wendral of This is Novos.