This year’s annual award ceremony was hosted by Heart Yorkshire’s Richard ‘Dixie’ Dickson at the Doncaster Dome on Thursday 2 November. As a part of the Trust’s reward and recognition programme, the Star Awards encourages staff members to nominate their colleagues for a range of accolades and celebrate their notable contributions.
Liam’s journey within DBTH spans over a decade, starting from his early days in Stores and Inventory Management and culminating in his current role as a Category Specialist. Since joining the Clinical Category Team in April, Liam has showcased an unwavering commitment to sustainability and environmental consciousness.
Driven by a passion for the environment, Liam has quickly and adeptly transitioned into his new role, bringing about significant changes for DBTH. In just eight weeks, he has spearheaded initiatives to reduce carbon emissions, decrease single-use plastics, and enhance the overall sustainability profile of the organization.
One notable accomplishment includes the reduction in deliveries from a certain international supplier, showcasing Liam’s dedication to minimizing the environmental impact of procurement processes. He has also played a pivotal role in the storage of products to reduce carbon emissions related to repeated deliveries.
His team have commended Liam for his tenacity in actively engaging in projects aimed at reducing the use of single-use plastics within DBTH, addressing items such as kidney dishes, gallipots, plastic straws, cups, and other products by transitioning to non-virgin plastic and recycled packaging.
Notably, his efforts extend beyond his department, as he has joined the Green Project group and been nominated as the Sustainability Champion.
Expressing his gratitude for the award, Liam shared: “I thoroughly enjoyed my evening at the DBTH Star Awards. There was a fantastic atmosphere in the venue, and the evening showcased the brilliant work team DBTH has done and continues to do. I was shocked to find out I had been nominated for the Rising Star award but felt proud to have been nominated.”
“I want to thank my Procurement colleagues for all their help, support and guidance over the years that has allowed me to get to where I am.”
Liam’s impact on DBTH’s sustainability practices have crucially aligned with the organisation’s targets for Net Zero, increasing a drive to employ more environmentally friendly procurement practices is as part of the NHS’s broader sustainability objectives.
Richard Somerset, Head of Procurement, said: “This is an amazing achievement by Liam, his passion and desire to make a positive impact on the environment and sustainability shines through every day both in and out of work. As a team, we are incredible proud of Liam – our double Star Award winner.”
In addition to the Rising Star Award, Liam was also honoured with the Chair’s Award, a testament to the outstanding impact he has made within the Procurement Department. His dedication to sustainability and exemplary work ethic were recognized by Suzy Brain England, Chair of the Board, for further solidifying his status as a rising star within the organization. During the evening, Liam was presented with a Keep Britain Tidy certificate, to recognise his important contributions to tackling the Trust’s environmental challenges.
Suzy Brain England, DBTH’s Chair of the Board, said: “I was thrilled to see what Liam had achieved and in addition to the Chair’s Award for enhancing sustainability. And as Chair of Keep Britain Tidy, I wanted to ensure he was given a certificate of thanks for his contribution to the environment.”