Pre-made meals business recognises long service champions in Wigan

Across the Bakkavor site, based at Ince, 90-plus colleagues this year have marked 5, 10, 15 and 20 years upwards with one colleague celebrating 40 years of service with the business which was previously Hitchen Foods in Wigan.

Amanda Wolsey, who was promoted to factory manager earlier this year has been with Bakkavor for 26 years.

Reflecting on her long service, Amanda said: "I started working at Bakkavor when I left school and, at this time, I was working weekends alongside attending college. During the summer I took up full-time work with Bakkavor and soon knew that I wanted to progress within the business.

"With hard work, I was promoted to a supervisory role and I then completed training courses that allowed me to then teach other members of the team. When I was 18, I was offered my first team manager role and I became the youngest person on site in this position. Looking back on my 26 years with Bakkavor, I have overseen operations in every unit of the business and, in February this year, I was appointed factory manager.

"I have always wanted to keep moving through the ranks of the business and hard work and loyalty is rewarded at Bakkavor. They have supported my development and my career progression.

"Raising my son as a single parent, Bakkavor supported me throughout. They knew my son needed to come first, they were flexible with me and this allowed my career to continue to flourish. It's this like this that breed loyalty back to the business and our long service awards underline the sheer number of colleagues that want to stay and grow their careers with Bakkavor for the long term. And this stability has a positive knock on effect to the broader community."

Chris Biddle, general manager, said: "It’s really humbling that so many of our colleagues here in Wigan are so dedicated to the work they do. We have given an exceptionally high number of long service awards this year and we pride ourselves on that. Bakkavor is ultimately a people business and we are serious about supporting those that want to develop long-term careers with us."