Employees have nominated colleagues across all branches and departments for AESSEAL’s annual Dragon Awards, set up to recognise outstanding talents in the business in categories such as Team Leader/Manager of the Year, Above and Beyond, Branch/Department of the Year and Apprentice of the Year, with the overall winner picking up the Managing Director’s Award.
Managing Director Chris Rea presented the 2023 awards at Rotherham on Monday 25 September.
- Team Leader / Manager of the Year – Leidy Leon, General Manager of AESSEAL Colombia SA
- Apprentice of the Year – Ryan Kay, SPD Apprentice of AESSEAL plc
- Above and Beyond – John Wilks, Group Financial Controller of AESSEAL plc
- Above and Beyond – Arnau Torres Aymerich, Repair Technician of AESSEAL Ibérica S.L.
- Branch / Department of the Year – AVT Reliability (Ireland) Limited
- Managing Director’s Award – David Montero, International Business Assurance Manager of AESSEAL plc
Since 2019, AESSEAL has recognized its own employees with the AESSEAL Dragon Awards after AESSEAL was named the inaugural Business of Trust Champion by the ceremonial Lord Mayor of the City of London the previous year. The Business of Trust award recognizes those companies which are helping to create ‘a lasting legacy of better business trusted by the community.
Team Leader / Manager of the Year – Leidy Leon, General Manager of AESSEAL Colombia SA
Leidy Leon, General Manager of AESSEAL Colombia SA has been recognised for her exceptional leadership and strong values. She consistently demonstrates her leadership skills by providing guidance, equipping her with tools to achieve their goals, and actively involving her team in decision-making processes. Her commitment to the businesses continuous improvement is evident through her dedication to our ongoing training and delivering exceptional service.
Apprentice of the Year – Ryan Kay, SPD Apprentice of AESSEAL plc
Ryan Kay is one of the SPD Apprentices based at AESSEAL HQ. Since joining AESSEAL, Ryan has excelled in every facet of his work, making him an undeniable candidate for recognition. Ryan’s progress has been exceptional, and already has proven himself to be an outstanding engineer with a highly methodical approach to work.
Above and Beyond – John Wilks, Group Financial Controller of AESSEAL plc
Six years ago, John Wilks embarked on his journey with AES as a graduate and over the last 6 years has achieved the distinction of becoming a chartered accountant and has assumed a pivotal role as the primary finance leader responsible for overseeing the acquisitions made by the Group. John’s contributions go far beyond the negotiation stage, managing these responsibilities alongside his regular duties, often spending extended periods away from home to support critical acquisitions.
Above and Beyond – Arnau Torres Aymerich – Repair Technician – AESSEAL Ibérica S.L.
In addition to his role at AESSEAL, Arnau is actively pursuing studies in engineering, demonstrating a continuous commitment to expanding his knowledge. His dedication and remarkable progress in the AESSEAL IBÉRICA workshop during his first year deserves recognition. Despite arriving during a particularly busy period, Arnau quickly adapted and learned the ropes.
Branch / Department of the Year – AVT Reliability (Ireland) Limited
AVT Reliability have been awarded the Branch/ Department of the Year award for their outstanding customer service and seamless integration provided across all areas of the business. This team have consistently fuelled continuous growth over the past five years and is wholeheartedly committed to surpassing both internal and group business and professional objectives.
This unwavering dedication to improvement underscores the team's collective drive to become the best in the country at what they do.
Managing Director’s Award - David Montero, International Business Assurance Manager of AESSEAL plc
David Montero, International Business Assurance Manager of AESSEAL plc has been awarded this year’s Managing Director’s Award due to his extraordinary motivation and commitment, David’s profound dedication to AESSEAL is truly remarkable.
Despite shouldering substantial responsibilities, including overseeing a busy team and spearheading ambitious change management projects like the Factory for the Future, £29 million by 2029, and Net Zero initiatives, David’s unwavering commitment shines through.
In addition to his exemplary managerial skills, David has taken on the significant responsibility of overseeing the new build project, which he has managed with outstanding success. His commitment and dedication to the business have earned him the admiration of all his colleagues, serving as an inspiration to everyone within the organization.
Considering all these outstanding qualities and contributions, it is difficult to envision anyone more deserving of this award than David Montero.