Clare is Slimming World's Employee of the Year

A superstar employee from Derbyshire has been named Slimming World’s Employee of the Year 2020 in her 22^nd year at the company.

Clare Lee, 39, who works at Slimming World’s head office as Campaign and Planning Manager, was awarded the title at Slimming World’s annual in-house awards ceremony, which was streamed online this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Clare, from Swanwick, started working at the Alfreton-based company at just 16, when she joined the warehouse team as a Stock Assistant. Over the next four years, Clare worked her way up to Stock Services Co-ordinator, where she was responsible for managing the distribution of Slimming World products such as Hi-fi bars, recipe books and Slimming World Magazine to the organisation’s thousands of Consultants. By 2007, Clare had moved departments to become a Field Support Partner, providing support to hundreds of Slimming World Consultants to help them to run their groups, and then joined the Marketing team in 2012.

In her role as Campaigns and Planning Manager, Clare looks after Slimming World’s national and regional advertising, and promotional campaigns for its Consultants. And her team manages the company’s charity partnerships, including with Cancer Research UK and the Irish Cancer Society, and oversees the marketing for Hair & Beauty at Slimming World, which is also based at Slimming World’s head office and open to the public.

Each year, Slimming World’s Employee of the Year award is given to a member of staff who embodies the culture of the company, and inspires others with their dedication, positivity, flexibility, teamwork and commitment to deliver exceptional service. All 450 head office employees voted for colleagues who they felt demonstrated those qualities to create a shortlist, and then Clare was selected as the overall winner by staff, managers and directors.

This year was particularly special as employees considered the impact their colleagues had on marking Slimming World’s 50^th anniversary last September. Clare was responsible for co-ordinating and managing Slimming World’s Golden Bus Tour last year – a 12-week celebration which saw a Big Gold Slimming World Bus travel around the UK and Ireland, visiting 59 locations. Clare has also played a huge part in helping the Slimming World prepare to reopen its real-life groups after months of lockdown, with the first groups opening two weeks ago.

Clare, who also won the title of Employee of the Year in 2014, says: “I still can’t believe I won. I love my job and I’ve been so lucky to work with so many amazing people over the years. And to know it was my colleagues who voted for me makes the win that bit more special.

“Slimming World has always invested in my development with various training courses, and always encouraged me to reach for my dreams. I’ve really grown up with the company and I’m so grateful for all the opportunities I’ve been given. I can’t imagine working anywhere else and so excited to see what the next 22 years bring!”

The annual awards, which are usually held at the Birmingham International Convention Centre, were streamed online this year. However, Clare says this didn’t stop her from celebrating in style. She says: “My colleagues, and friends and family went above and beyond to make sure the day was still special, and we enjoyed the festivities with a socially-distanced garden party and a team Zoom party! It was a lovely evening and although we couldn’t be with each other in person, it still felt like we were all together!”

Marketing Manager Catherine Fox, who manages Clare, says: “We couldn’t be prouder of Clare. Not only is she an integral part of our team, she’s well-known across the company for her warm personality and vast business knowledge. She really puts her heart and soul into every project she’s tasked with, and her passion and commitment for Slimming World shines through in everything she does, so it’s easy to see why her colleagues put her forward for the award!”

Slimming World introduced a temporary virtual service when lockdown closed its community groups across the UK and Ireland. From Monday 10^th August, throughout August and September Slimming World Consultants and members will be safely returning to their much-loved groups in the heart of communities.

- Ends -

Pictured:

1. Clare Lee hearing her name announced as Slimming World’s Employee of the Year 2020 award
2. Slimming World’s annual awards 2018, Clare pictured with host Rylan Clarke-Neal