Slimming World star Matt crowned Employee of the Year 2016

Matt Veal, who works as a Lead Developer in Slimming World’s IT development team, won the prestigious award for his passion, support to others and dedicated commitment to the company, which has increased its membership of its 16,000 groups across the UK and Ireland to 900,000, and now has the number one frozen food brand in the UK and the fourth top-selling magazine. Matt picked up the award at Slimming World’s annual Oscars-style ceremony in Birmingham on June 25^th, bagging himself a trophy and a night at the exclusive hotel The Ritz in London.

The 41-year-old, who is celebrating his third anniversary at Slimming World this month, works on new head office IT developments, as well as developing web-based solutions for Slimming World’s network of 4,500 weight-loss Consultants, who are all self-employed franchisees. Matt works to support the growth of the Consultants’ micro-businesses through developing new software programmes, all while delivering Slimming World’s high standard of excellent service and support. As well as this, Matt has developed new ways of working within the head-office-based IT development team, including organising training sessions, and mentoring colleagues to integrate new processes and procedures.

Matt was chosen as the top employee out of more than 300 staff based at Slimming World’s head office, and was presented with the award by Slimming World’s Chief Executive, Caryl Richards. Matt will be invited to join Margaret Miles-Bramwell, the company’s founder, at a dinner at The Ritz hotel later this year. It was the first time that he had been nominated at the company’s annual awards.

Every year, the Employee of the Year award is given to an employee who scores well across a range of criteria such as flexibility, positivity, teamwork, quality of customer service, commitment, inspiring others, supporting colleagues and managers, and overall quality of work. Each one of the organisation’s 16 departments – from Marketing and Events, to Stock and Distribution – votes for their team’s Employee of the Year. When the 16 nominees have been chosen, head office staff vote for their winner, before the 16 are shortlisted to a final five by the company’s directors and the overall winner is decided.

Matt says: “I felt very honoured and privileged to receive the award on stage in Birmingham, and I was so surprised as all the other nominees were such strong contenders! I have had great support from my managers to do my job. They have shown such a strong belief in me, and have trusted me to bring my new ideas and thoughts into the IT team from day one.

“It’s even more special to have been nominated, and voted for, by my friends and colleagues. I really can’t thank them enough. Everyone who works at head office does such a fantastic job and I definitely couldn’t have done my job – or won this award – without them!”

IT Manager Liz Bullimore says: “I’m so proud and pleased for Matt, this award was fully deserved. He has proven over the last year to be a flexible, encouraging individual who is always willing to help others both in the team and other departments. He has such a positive and proactive approach to tasks, and always gives 100% effort, whatever the task at hand. Most importantly, Matt’s dedicated commitment to his role is always well above and beyond what’s expected of him – he has even been known to voluntarily come into work whist on holiday to help with problems!”

In 2015 Slimming World achieved the prestigious Investors in People (IiP) Gold Award, putting it in the top 7% of accredited organisations across the UK. The award recognises those companies which have the highest standards of people development and leadership.