JTS named a finalist in the prestigious UK Social Enterprise Awards
Two shortlists in two weeks!
A couple of weeks ago, we were excited to announce that we are a finalist in the Social Enterprise Scotland Awards 2022. JTS has been short-listed in their Social Enterprise of the Year category in recognition of our mission and the impact we deliver. We are so pleased to be part of a list of very inspiring organisations that have made the shortlist for these awards!
This week JTS has also been named a finalist in the prestigious UK Social Enterprise Awards, which recognise businesses that are transforming communities and tackling climate change. We have been shortlisted in the Social Enterprise Team of the Year category. This category acknowledges those teams which have demonstrated the strength, passion and resilience which is so characteristic of the social enterprise sector.
I have said before that I am very privileged to lead such a wonderful team at JTS. Their roles are incredibly broad and varied and I am delighted that their teamwork, resilience, hard work and commitment to making a difference has been recognised in this way. They show a real thoughtfulness in balancing the need to grow JTS income with ensuring that the farmers and producers continue to grow their own incomes. Responding to the news, Mary Popple Chair of JTS said “I was thrilled to receive this news from Social Enterprise UK. This recognition ‘is richly deserved. Each person in the JTS team is truly committed to improving the lives of others through trade justice. They are simply inspiring to work with".
Board Director, Alistair Menzies commented about the team “They are hardworking, committed, adaptable and resilient. JTS are proud of them and grateful for their consistent efforts in the most uncertain of times.” Martin Hamilton, JTS’s Operations Manager and longest serving staff member, commented: “Over the moon that JTS and the staff team are being recognized for the amazing work that we do. The journey to get this far has not been easy but the level of commitment shown by the staff team, supported all the way by our volunteer board has been phenomenal. We strive everyday to improve lives for our producers, and the difference we make to their lives is always at the forefront of our minds as we continue our journey to sustainability and food justice.
JTS has a mission to empower food producers from the developing world, bringing their hard earned great quality food produce to market in the UK. It can go unnoticed that JTS has the same values when it comes to our UK mission. JTS has always strived to give opportunities and to empower individuals in need of a chance in life. Many of our current and previous employees have arrived at JTS out of work and untested in the job roles they have been employed to do. Being nominated for Social Enterprise Team of the Year showcases that companies like JTS who put their time, faith and belief in the individual can create a dedicated, skilled and passionate team of people from all walks of life pushing forward together making JTS the company that it is today.”
Nicola Taylor JTS’s Customer Relationship Manager said “I have been with JTS for 6 years now and for me, there is no greater sense of job satisfaction than knowing that the farmers and workers who produce our food will always be at the heart of what we do. As a team, we really do believe in the ethos and vision of JTS and that common bond unites us and makes us determined to work our hardest and do our very best to make the organisation a success and bring fair, fine and ethical food to the UK market. It has been a tough few years due to the pandemic, but even that challenge didn’t dent our determination. The whole team worked all the way through the pandemic remotely and used newfound (to us) technologies such as Zoom to communicate daily as a team and also to communicate with our producers in the Global South to make sure they were okay and what we could do to help them during the uncertain times.”
Nicola summed up our feelings about the short-listing “We are delighted that we have been shortlisted for the Social Enterprise Team of the Year award. We are a small team who believe we can make a big social impact and being shortlisted just gives us more impetus to keep moving forward and open up new markets for our producers thereby helping them to work their way out of poverty with dignity though trade.”
Tracy Mitchell
Managing Director
JTS
