Semcon Engineers Receive Award from Ford

Two software integration engineers from Leavesden Park-based company Semcon Engineering have been presented with an award by Ford.

As well as undertaking project work for manufacturers and suppliers to the automotive industry from their office in Leavesden Park, Semcon Engineering UK Ltd also arranges contracts for engineers in a variety of automotive industries and a range of countries.

Anuradhilka Uppuluri and Leena Jolly are two of Semcon’s software integration engineers, members of a team based at Ford in Dunton. In October this team was presented with a Ford award for their work supporting a hot climate vehicle testing exercise which was carried out in the USA.

Anu (second left) and Leena (fourth left) are seen here with the Head of Ford’s global powertrain control systems engineering department, (far right) and Richard Springall of Semcon Engineering UK Ltd (far left).

Christmas Fayre gets Leavesden Park into the true spirit of Christmas

With 25 shopping days left until Christmas the high street came to Leavesden Park on 29 November when staff were able to buy everything from clothes and accessories to books and plants at a special Christmas Fayre.

A steady flow of visitors came along to browse and buy from a wonderful selection of stall holders. These included Captain Tortue clothing, jewellery, local gift shop Desire & Design, handbags and scarves from Love Bumble, poinsettias from Leavesden Park gardeners Urban Planters, The Book People, home created silk flowers in aid of charity and nail products and gifts by Jaeger Beautique.

In the true spirit of Christmas there was also a charity raffle in aid of Leavesden Park occupier the Alzheimer’s Society. Over £280 was raised with a fantastic 32” flatscreen TV donated by Leavesden Park company BrightHouse as first prize along with 21 other prizes. Winners came from many companies on the park including BrightHouse, Arkady Feed and Semcon, along with a stall holder from Design & Design and Leavesden Park gardener Steve.

Says Estate Administrator Karen Yadav, who has organised the Fayre along with colleague Cynthia Hooper : “The fayre offered staff a great opportunity to find some lovely Christmas gifts without the usual Christmas shopping hassles, as well as raise money for a really good cause. Thanks to everyone who donated the wonderful prizes, the stall holders and everyone who supported the event buying gifts and raffle tickets. We’re now looking forward to next week’s Carol Singing.”

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XOR named in 2012 Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50

XOR Professional Services, based at Leavesden Park, has been ranked Number 17 in the 2012 Deloitte Technology Fast 50, a ranking of the 50 fastest-growing technology companies in the UK. Rankings are based on percentage revenue growth over five years. XOR grew 1196 percent during this period.

XOR’s Managing Director, Premkumar Subramanian, credits the company’s quality of specialist technical services and the increasing need for services in the UK reseller channel with the company’s 1196% revenue growth over the past five years. He said, “Our ability to assist our partners grow their business in a tough economic climate, coupled with the exceptional quality in our services has helped us achieve this phenomenal growth. We work passionately every single day to help us partners succeed which has in-turn helped with our own success.”

“Our success also demonstrates a growing need for independent services in the reseller channel. We intend to continue this aggressive growth over next three years”

David Halstead, Partner leading the Deloitte Technology Fast 50, said: “The Deloitte Technology Fast 50 gives great profile to technology companies and is internationally recognised as being one of the most important business awards in the sector”

“Achieving sustained revenue growth of 1196 over five years is a tremendous accomplishment “XOR’s exceptional growth puts it in select company.”

The full list of this year’s winners and winner breakdown by region and sector is available at www.fast50.co.uk

Head Offices Watford

Leavesden Park, Watford is one of eight Business Estates managed by MEPC. A 300 acre business park located just north of Watford city centre. We currently have exciting pre-let offices opportunities for headquarters style offices here in Watford

Headquarters Watford

Sitel Honoured with prestigious CCA Global Standard Accreditation

Sitel, a leading customer care outsourcing provider based at Leavesden Park, Watford, has received Global Standard© Accreditation from the CCA - the leading authority on customer contact strategies and operations. The CCA has more than 15 years' experience and is recognised as the definitive source for research, analysis and expertise in the field. Launched in 2001, the Global Standard© is a key set of principles defined by industry experts, assessed every three years to ensure continual improvement to customer service. Accreditation represents a prestigious quality seal for Sitel as well as an ongoing commitment to best practise.

Independent auditors for the CCA carried out a rigorous assessment of Sitel's contact centres in Newcastle upon Tyne, Stratford upon Avon and Watford, with sites in Exeter and Kingston upon Thames also evaluated. Performance was evaluated in several categories: measuring innovation, enterprise, professional standards, social responsibility, training and customer satisfaction. Recommendations were subsequently made to the CCA Accreditation Panel, and the Global Standard© was granted in recognition of Sitel's provision of excellent customer service, across multiple channels and languages for all five UK sites. Sitel now joins an exclusive network of contact centres including Tesco, UCAS and the Financial Services Authority.

Rob Pike, Chair of the CCA Standards Council said: "We are delighted to announce that Sitel has met the CCA Global Standard. This honour is a clear recognition of the commitment and drive demonstrated by Sitel in working towards improving standards and customer experience across the organisation."

"Sitel is proud to be recognised by the CCA Standards Council for our rigorous dedication to high standards," said Lawrence Fenley, General Manager UK & Ireland at Sitel. "Being named in this prestigious group of contact centres underscores the hard work and dedication of every Sitel employee in the pursuit of excellent customer service."

About Sitel
Sitel is a world leader in outsourced customer care services. With over 26 years of industry experience, Sitel has twice been ranked as the top overall call centre outsourcing provider in Datamonitor's annual Black Book of Outsourcing survey. Sitel's 57,000 employees provide clients with predictable and measurable Return on their Customer Investment by building customer loyalty, increasing sales and improving efficiency. Sitel's solutions span 120+ domestic, nearshore, and offshore centers in 25 countries across North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia Pacific. Sitel is privately held and majority owned by Canadian diversified company, Onex Corporation.
For more information, please visit www.sitel.com.

Leavesden Park Newsletter - September 2012

Despite the teasing weather - hopefully you have all had a great Summer as we now look forward to Autumn!

Welcome to MEPC
Karen Yadav who joins us on a job share with Cynthia. She will introduce herself to you all in the coming weeks.
Transferring from the night shift to day is Billy Thomas - Security - who sits in Building 5 Reception. His email address is lphelpdesk@mepc.com

BBQ - Thursday 6th September - 12.00 - 14.00 - alongside B6
Come and join us for music, food and drink - please bring your BBQ ticket to the event. An ice cream van will be on site should you wish to buy a cone or two!! There will be collection boxes in aid of Alzheimer's Society on the tables - please give generously.

Occupiers Meeting - Building 6 - Suite 2
REMINDER: Thursday 13th September at 10.30.

Redecoration and Repairs
Over the coming weeks, we will have decorators and roofing contractors in B5 & B6. Disruption in some areas will be inevitable and I will keep you updated as time goes on. Thank you for your co operation.

Car Parks
Serious incidents have occurred where cars have been damaged/scratched while parked. PLEASE consider the space between cars when parking, walking with suitcases, brief cases etc. Be on the alert in and around the car park areas and let Billy know on LPhelpdesk@mepc.com if you see any issues of concern.

Smoking
It is apparent during the improved weather that the benches are being used by smokers - however as mentioned before the reason why there is a NO SMOKING sign in these areas is that smoke disperses into adjacent offices. Please be considerate and smoke in designated areas only.

Bus Passes
Drivers on some Arriva buses have reported that some people are using their bus passes out of normal working hours. PLEASE NOTE: these free bus passes are for journeys to and from work in and around the Watford Area only. Please be respectful of this benefit.

Personnel Armoured Carrier, Cars, replica Space Shuttle
An out of the ordinary request: Movie props. near Warner Bros. Studio to be removed by any means possible. With the help of a JCB, crane etc. these items were taken away and scrapped and monies donated to Alzheimers Society, Marie Currie Cancer Care and the Peace Hospice in Warford.

Leavesden Park Newsletter - July 2012

Leavesden Park Newsletter - July 2012

Liz Ingram has left the on-site Estate Team - thank you Liz for your help and best wishes for the future.

Save a Life - Give Blood
Thursday 12th July outside the BT building. Phone 0300 123 23 23 for an appointment.

Brighthouse - Award
Congratulations to Brighthouse on being awarded Retail Recycler of the Year at the National Recycling Awards Event. They beat Dixons and Sainsburys - mentioning just a couple - This is the second recycling award Brighthouse have received. Well done and keep up the good work!

Building Remedial/Redecoration works
Minor works are planned to take place during the summer months to rectify the results of general wear and tear to the site as well as water damage caused by the unusual rainfall we have had.

Silverbean Cafe
Healthy options such as crisps and salad selections have arrived!. Some of the selections will change on a weekly basis - have your say on what you want, email your choices on selection to: jeannette.mooney@silverbeancoffee.co.uk

Visitor Parking Management
To assist with the allocatiion of visitor parking, please would you ensure your visitors know which car park to use and let Will or Cynthia know if you have more than 4 people visiting you at one time. Email lphelpdesk@mepc.com or phone 894400. This will ensure we allocate sufficient car park spaces for the visitors. Thank you.

Watford Commuter - Offers help/advice to local employers
If you would like any free advice or assistance with staff travel or parking issues, visit www.watfordcommuter.org or call 01923 278029

The Bookpeople
A selection of books are displayed in the cafe area. Order and monies to be left with Will on Reception.

Team Building and Corporate Events
The ultimate in corporate entertainment and spy adventure games - for further information go to www.spy-games-corporate.com

Card Rack in the Cafe Area
A selection of cards and gift wrapping will be on sale in the cafe area by the end of July. A percentage of what we sell will be donated to the Alzheimer's Society.

Now for something different - Pampering
Visit www.jaegerbeautique.com or call Kelly on 07738261157 to find out what treatments are available if she comes to the workplace or book an appointment at her salon.