The Patton Group were among the high-profile organisations that scooped gongs at the recent Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards in Belfast.

The Ballymena-based company picked up top prize in The Right Place to Work category.

A capacity crowd packed into the Ramada Hotel for the gala black-tie dinner, at which Department of Employment & Learning minister Sir Reg Empey congratulated all the winners for their success in placing a firm emphasis on individuals and their positive contribution to the Northern Ireland workplace.

Patton Group Human Resources' Manager, Shauna DuPreez, said the company was delighted to have won The Right Place To Work category in recognition of its work in Corporate Social Responsibility and in support of the environment.

"It's fair to say that CSR has been part of our corporate DNA for many, many years now," said Shauna.

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"It is simply part of who we are and how we do things here in Pattons. Our stewardship of the environment is also something that is given a very strong focus and which everyone in the organisation from senior executives to site workers sees as vital. "Winning this award is testament not only to the unique culture within Pattons but also the hard work and dedication of every one of our staff. We are all very, very proud to have won this award in the face of extremely stiff competition."

Irish News editor, Noel Doran added: "The aims and objectives of these indigenous workplace and employment awards in the business calendar have all been met and exceeded.

"The awards have strongly reinforced the message that people are our most important resource in what is challenging times."

Minister Empey said: "These awards recognise excellence in the workplace and reinforce the message that our people are our most important asset. It’s great to see that more and more businesses and organisations are recognising this and the need to upskill their existing workforce so that they can make the most of new opportunities.

"Unfortunately we live in times of economic uncertainly but as research has shown, companies that invest in the skills of their staff are two and a half times more likely to survive. The aims of The Irish News Workplace and Employment Awards go hand in hand with much of skills work being taken forward through my department."

(NS/BMcC)