IN recent years, Communications Plus, who are O2’s ‘Franchise of the Decade’, partnered with children’s charity A Day of Sunshine to charter a magical flight in search of Santa for local underprivileged youngsters.

Staff boarded the plane dressed as Santa’s elves; then, after a flight round the Isle of Man, they returned to Manchester Airport for gift-giving and a party. It’s a typically charitable gesture from a company that is now officially known as the ‘Pride of St Helens’.

“We’re incredibly fortunate that people choose our O2 stores and our O2 Business Centre when they want to get a new phone or tablet,” said Steve Roberts, who founded the company 12 years ago.

“We like to repay that community loyalty by helping good causes right here in Rainford and St Helens.”

The O2 Business Centre Rainford supports everything from the local fireworks display and football teams to Picnic in the Park – raising funds for a host of sports clubs in the area and the Boys’ Brigade.

“The tragic loss of 17-year-old George Faulkner and the subsequent work of road safety charity Brake inspired us to support the Rainford 10K,” added Steve.

“More recently, we’ve been privileged to support Chris Carberry’s fundraising efforts in his battle against bone cancer. We choose to help wherever and whenever we can – including Willowbrook Hospice, the Air Ambulance charity and the Marina Dalglish Appeal.”

Rainford has been Steve’s home since childhood. Playing for St Helens Town as a boy, he attended both Corpus Christi Primary School and Rainford High School. Steve started Communications Plus from his home office; graduated to Alpine House; and then renovated a former Methodist Church in Rainford – creating the company’s headquarters and launching the O2 Business Centre.

Communications Plus employs 202 people across Northern England and North Wales; at their O2 Business Centre, 90 percent of staff live within 10 miles.

“We are honoured to receive these awards, which reflect the hard work and effort of all my team,” enthused Steve. “It is the culmination of more than a decade of progress – including winning a Queen’s Award, two Investors in People Gold Awards and being named one of a thousand companies to inspire Britain. We’ve set our sights on winning an Investors in People Platinum Award in 2021.”

It’s a remarkable ambition and one that is entirely in step with Steve’s belief in operating “the best O2 stores in the world.” The ‘Employer of the Year’ has a clear set of established values, a mission statement and a culture, structure and discipline that everyone interviewed by Investors in People was able to articulate and understand.

“My philosophy is that we have to enjoy what we do, as we spend the majority of our time working,” explained Steve. “To help us deliver the exceptional, we communicate and support each other, as well as looking at what we can do to improve staff wellbeing. We enjoy excellent staff retention rates and always welcome interest from people who share our values as we continue to strive for the best.”

Communications Plus are hoping to maintain their winning streak at the upcoming 2018 O2 Franchise Awards– having reached the finals in multiple categories.