A Newton Aycliffe business, which employs 17 ex-armed forces personnel, has beaten off global brands including Amazon and Barclays to win a prestigious national award. AAA Caring Caretaker has been crowned Employer of the Year at the Ex-Forces in Business Awards.
The awards were held in London in what turned out to be a bittersweet moment for all attendees, as the evening started shortly after the country was told of the passing of Her Majesty the Queen.
But, despite the sombre start, the night was about celebrating those companies that support former armed forces personnel into secure and sustainable employment and saw 1,500 people from over 300 UK businesses in attendance.
AAA Caring Caretaker, which was founded by Richard Tucker MBE, who himself had the pleasure of meeting Queen Elizabeth II on more than one occasion, was nominated for two awards, including the top award of the evening, Employer of the Year.
Richard, who attended the glittering ceremony with his daughter and company MD Alison Stephenson, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been named Employer of the Year, beating off Amazon, Barclays, and Greater Manchester Police, to name but a few.
“Of course, it was a solemn start to the evening, as we stood in memory of our Queen, acknowledging the service, commitment and overwhelming duty that she represented and whom we have been proud to serve and call Her Majesty.
“But the point of the evening was to celebrate businesses like ours who go above and beyond to help former military personnel into employment and, in a tasteful and dignified way, that’s exactly what happened.
“And for AAA Caring Caretaker to walk away with the top award was the icing on the cake of what was a brilliant and unforgettable evening.”
AAA Caring Caretaker was founded by CEO Richard H Tucker MBE in 2015 to complement an existing property company he was already running.
Since then, and despite the challenges which the coronavirus pandemic presented, the business has grown rapidly and is currently in the process of relocating to larger premises in Bowburn.
The move will see the creation of at least 10 new jobs and allow the company to further diversify into new markets.
