Winners announced at inaugural USW Supplier Awards

University of South Wales (USW) suppliers have had their hard work celebrated at the inaugural USW Supplier Awards this week.

The virtual awards ceremony, held on Thursday 4 November, was organised to show an appreciation for the difference USW suppliers have made to colleagues, students, and the wider community over the last twelve months.

Led by USW’s procurement team, the awards were split into six categories, with nominations going through a two-stage panel shortlisting process. The winners of this year’s awards are:

Service award winner - Kingdom Services Group

This award recognises suppliers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. 

The judging panel felt that Kingdom, who supply security services to USW, had provided an outstanding service during the pandemic, including supporting students who have remained on campus whilst they have been isolating, and assisting in setting up Covid-19 testing sites.

Innovation award winner - Immersity

The Innovation award is designed to recognise suppliers who have proactively delivered ideas and opportunities for continuous improvement and innovation at USW.

The judging panel said that Immersity, who offer the development of VR experiences, had been truly innovative, with cutting edge work supporting the vision of the USW 2030 strategy. They said Immersity have been very engaged and have provided new opportunities to USW as part of their ongoing partnership.

Social Value award winner - Splunk and Somerford Associates

The social value award is designed to recognise suppliers who proactively create specific initiatives which USW has implemented to support colleagues, students and the local community.

The judging panel felt that these suppliers showed the breadth of opportunity available through our supply chain. They have demonstrably provided added value to USW by offering cyber students the use of their world-leading products free of charge, providing learning and accreditation to 60 students. In collaboration with these suppliers, USW has explored opportunities to deliver cyber bootcamps to local communities, helping to equip them with the right skills to keep them, their families, and their data safe.

Collaboration award winner - Kingdom Services Group

The Collaboration award is designed to recognise suppliers who have demonstrated a proactive and cooperative approach to supplier relationships and their partnership with USW as a customer. The award also seeks to recognise those suppliers who demonstrate the same approach with other USW suppliers or the wider community, with mutual goals and benefits.

Over the last year, Kingdom has supported the University in delivering IT equipment, DSE equipment and post to both staff and students, enabling them to continue to work and study from home safely, as well as supporting a safe return to campus. The judging panel felt that there was a real sense that Kingdom are not just a supplier but are part of the USW family.

Health and Safety award winner - Unite Students

The Health and Safety award is for suppliers who have introduced new ways of working to USW, and recognises suppliers who foster a positive health and safety culture.

Unite Students have worked with USW to ensure student mental health is at the top of their agenda. They have provided information to students on topics such as how to talk about mental health, combating loneliness in the student community and how to get the best night’s sleep. The judging panel felt that this supplier nomination put the health and safety of USW students at the heart of their service offering on campus.

USW STAR (Supplier Thank You and Recognition) award winner - Kingdom Services Group

The USW Star award is designed to recognise a supplier who has gone above and beyond expectations or who has proactively delivered ideas and opportunities to drive value and improvements for USW’s staff, students or the wider community. It also recognises suppliers who consistently exemplify and demonstrate the five USW values; collaborative, professional, creative, inspiring, and responsive.

In the last 12 months, Kingdom has shown consistent and varied support to USW. The judges felt that the team have far exceeded expectations and gone above and beyond. Their presence on campus has meant that those students remaining on campus were safe whilst USW staff were working from home. The panel felt that Kingdom consistently demonstrates the USW values.

Catherine Lund, Procurement Director at USW, said: “The inaugural USW Supplier Awards are our chance to recognise brilliant performances over the last 12 months and say well done and thank you.

“All of this year’s award winners have absolutely stood out in their performance for USW – congratulations to them all.

“With the return of the ‘new normal’ as we return to campus, no doubt there will be more great performances from our supply chain. You will have the chance to recognise these in the USW 2022 Supplier awards, which launch in June 2022.”

Mark Milton, Chief Operating Officer at USW, said: “These awards are a great opportunity to celebrate the work of the suppliers that have helped USW operate successfully over the last 12 months.

“The winning organisations and companies are shining examples of what effective partnerships can achieve. Congratulations to all of the winners and thank you for making such a difference to our colleagues, students and the wider community.”