Rising star Tom crowned Employee of the Year 2017

One Wednesday night in 1991, a weight loss Consultant from Sutton-In-Ashfield went into labour shortly after running her weekly Slimming World group. Little did she know that, twenty-six years later and with Slimming World now the UK’s favourite way to lose weight, the son she gave birth to would go on to become Slimming World’s head office Employee of the Year 2017.

Tom Marvell, who lives in Sutton-In-Ashfield and now works at the organisation’s head office in Alfreton as a Field Support Partner, picked up the award at the annual Slimming World Awards ceremony held in Birmingham on June 24^th. He was watched proudly by his mum Janet, who was a Consultant for 33 years in Skegby, and now works at the company’s head office too, heading up the Customer Services Team.

Tom won the trophy and a night at the exclusive hotel The Ritz in London after being recognised by his fellow colleagues, managers and directors for his exceptional commitment and contribution to the support of Slimming World Consultants across the UK.

Tom certainly has deep-rooted connections with Slimming World. When he turned 16 he spent his summer holidays as a salon apprentice at the Slimming World Hair & Beauty salon, which is based at Slimming World head office and open to the public. After leaving school, Tom joined Slimming World’s IT team for two years, before taking on a role in the Field Support team, who work to support Slimming World’s 4,500 franchisee Consultants across the UK and Ireland.

As well as his mum Janet, Tom’s Gran Anne worked as Advertising and PR manager at the company until she retired in 2000, and Tom’s brother Joe and Aunty Sue also work at Slimming World HQ. They contribute to the real family feel at Slimming World, which employs 350 staff from local areas and is currently expanding to provide excellent training for 4,500 Consultants and help more people achieve their weight loss dreams.

Every year, Slimming World’s Employee of the Year award is given to an employee who leads the way in inspiring colleagues with their flexibility, positivity, teamwork, quality of customer service, commitment, support of 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. This year Tom was voted top of his team by his colleagues for the second time, and then, after being shortlisted from 16 department nominees to a final five, was selected as the overall winner by the company’s directors. Tom was presented with the award by Slimming World’s founder Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE, and will be invited to join Margaret, directors and other high achievers from across the company at a dinner at The Ritz hotel later this year.

Tom says: “I’m so thankful to have won and am very grateful to my team mates for putting me forward to represent them as their Employee of the Year. When you look around Slimming World Head Office there are so many amazing people - I really can’t believe that I’ve won the overall award. I never thought in a million years that I would win!

“I feel privileged to be part of such a committed team of people. I suppose from the day I was born I was destined to work for this incredible company. I’m the third generation of my family to do so after all… It’s safe to say my mum is absolutely bursting with pride, along with the rest of my family too! When you work for Slimming World it becomes such a huge part of your life. And, if I’m not working, I’m always talking about Slimming World to my friends and family – or anyone who’ll listen!

“I’d like to also thank Slimming World for giving me the opportunities they have to grow with the company. It’s a great place to be and I can’t wait to see what the future brings!”

Simon Taylor, who manages the Field Support Department, says: “Tom is real star and everyone in the team loves him. He’s an inspiration to the department and a pleasure to work with. His commitment and dedication to his role is second to none – the first time we decided to provide telephone support to our Consultants on Boxing Day, it was Tom that volunteered first.

“Tom always has a smile on his face and is willing to help and support his colleagues, as well as Consultants through the thousands of phone calls he makes. He really demonstrates the very best of the personal qualities that we look for in all of our people – naturally warm and friendly, caring and supportive, encouraging, positive and uplifting. We’re all so proud of him and we’re sure he’ll go far!”

For employment opportunities at Slimming World visit: www.slimmingworld.co.uk/careers