next Sourcing recognises key employees at ‘Long Service Awards 2018’

next Sourcing, a fully-owned subsidiary of the retail clothing and accessory giant next Plc – UK, celebrated the long-standing employment of a large group of the company’s employees at the Long Service Awards 2018. The event at the Park Street Mews was attended by the top management of next Sourcing, and a large number of the next Sourcing team. 

Addressing the audience at the ceremony, next Sourcing Associate Director Wilhelm Elias stated: “Having been in the business for 19 years, I have experienced first-hand how performance and commitment drives success. We take pride in our culture of investing and training our people elevating them to leadership roles which in turn has helped us grow our business in Sri Lanka. The clothing industry is a challenging one and we produce some of the finest merchandisers and technical teams in Sri Lanka owing to the high standards we maintain. We truly believe in creating equal opportunity for all of our staff and growth. Success is not determined by the number of years you invest with next Sourcing but how determined you are to learn, grow and elevate yourself. If you have the want and the need and the will, we will pave the way for you.”

This was the 7th consecutive year the Long Service Awards was organised by next Sourcing. The annual awards recognises and rewards the valued members of the next team who have been loyal and contributed significantly to the company’s growth for years ranging from 5 to 20.

Manager HR Anuradha Wickramasinghe stated, “At next Sourcing, we are proud to have an open culture that rewards and recognises the most important asset in our organisation – our people. The fact that so many individuals have dedicated their working careers to our company speaks volumes of their loyalty and how the company has taken care of them over the years. The diverse, challenging, and rewarding environment in next ensures our employees are engaged and have the opportunity to grow professionally and personally. Our long service celebration is a token of appreciation for the part our valuable employees have played in making the company what it is today.”

One of the recipients of the award, Senior Merchandising Manager Thikula Samaradivakara stated: “I joined the company as a Development Merchandiser in 2008 and went up the ladder fairly quickly to become a Senior Merchandising Manager today. The company has a culture that focuses on recognising and rewarding individuals who are able to perform at a consistently high level, irrespective of their seniority or age.”

During the event, a total of 21 team members were recognised for completing service periods of 5, 10, 15 and 20 years with the company. Individuals were presented with cash awards and plaques. The event was used to highlight the passion, dedication, achievements and personal growth of the recipients both within and outside the boundaries of the office.

next Sourcing Sri Lanka produces next-branded children’s and women’s garments, as well as women’s lingerie and menswear. Over twenty years of experience gives the company an edge over the global competition and an opportunity to create greater value for their stakeholders. Exclusive, coordinated collections of stylish, cost-effective garments are distributed through the next retail network, which consists of more than 500 stores in the UK alone and almost 200 stores in more than 70 countries. 

next Sourcing offices are located worldwide, including in Leicester, London, Turkey, Egypt, Bangladesh, Pakistan, North India, South India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Shanghai.