The promise of future success

The annual event is an opportunity to recognise the contribution made to Leonardo’s helicopter business by those on the company’s training schemes in Yeovil and to congratulate all those completing their training schemes. The awards were presented by Adam Clarke, Managing Director Leonardo Helicopters UK.

Those recognised this year for their achievements were

• Best First Year Engineering Apprentice – Keira Stevenson
• Best First Year Business Apprentice – Eryn Weatherhill
• Degree Apprentice Award – Cameron Bell
• Best Craft Apprentice – Jonathan Cooke
• Post Graduate Trainee Award – Iqraa Hussain
• Business Administration Apprentice Award – Hannah Stephens
• Most Active Member of Trainee Committee – Molly Dugmore
• Team Sword Award – Be A Saint Day
• Managing Director’s Cup – Iqraa Hussain

The Team Sword Award is presented for the best collaborative team. This year it was presented to the ‘Be A Saint Day’ initiative, which was conceived as an annual community volunteering framework that would be recognised by all employees to support local community projects across the Yeovil district for years to come. The inaugural event took place in March 2024, with over 55 volunteers participating in an extensive range of local projects.

The Managing Director’s Cup is presented to the individual who both professionally and personally has demonstrated an all-round enthusiasm and aptitude throughout their time on the scheme. This year’s winner, Iqraa Hussain, received the award for the diversity of her experiences, her willingness to share her experiences, and to learn and develop within the organisation.

Presenting Iqraa with her award, Adam Clarke said: “Iqraa is extremely humble and engaging, and has taken every opportunity to learn more about the organisation. She also has a clear view of her future within Leonardo, her career, and the importance of truly investing in people and relationships, having coached and mentored trainees and managers.”

Going on to congratulate all the 2024 award winners, Adam added: “Each year, we come together to celebrate the outstanding contribution our trainees bring to Leonardo. I would like to say both personally and on behalf of the business, a huge thank you for your dedication and effort throughout your training schemes. Whether you are just starting, mid-way through, or completing – you are our future, and tonight is about celebrating your achievements.”

The evening also recognised the achievements of the Yeovil trainees Charity Committee who, every two years, choose a local charity to support. For the last two years, the Yeovil trainees have been fundraising for PROMISEworks, a charity providing support and mentoring for young children and adults across Somerset.

Thanks to efforts over the last 24 months , the trainees were able to present the charity with a cheque for a staggering £50,000 – some £10,000 above their target. This donation will now fund over 12 mentees across their two-year mentoring journey, providing life-changing support and routine to those in need.

Freya Andrews, Chair of the Trainee Charity Committee for 2023/2024, said: “It has been an incredible honour to serve as Chair of the Trainee Charity Committee this year. Together, we've worked with determination to reach our fundraising goal, and it has been an incredibly rewarding journey to support PROMISEworks."

Ali Hart, General Manager for PROMISEworks, added: “We are so grateful to the trainees who have worked so hard to fundraise for PROMISEworks over the last couple of years. What brilliant and dedicated people who not only work hard to build their careers, but also to support local charities by raising significant amounts of money. It’s a fantastic model which more organisations could benefit from adopting."

As the partnership with PROMISEworks concluded, the night then turned to welcoming the new partnering charity, Yeovil Free Wheelers (YFW), to a two-year fundraising term. The Yeovil trainees aim to raise enough money to purchase a new motorbike for the YFW, expanding their fleet which provides life-saving medical supplies across the South West for hospitals and directly to patients.