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Many of UK Power Networks’ employees have worked for the organisation for decades, so its long-service recognition scheme has been designed to celebrate their achievements.

The organisation owns and runs the cables and substations which deliver electricity from the national grid to London, the south east and east of England. It has around 6,000 employees.

Its 40+ Club honours around 300 staff who have been with the organisation for more than four decades. They are recognised with a night of awards and celebration, and individually thanked by the chief executive and executive management team with certificates and gifts. In addition, employees who have worked for the network for half a decade and more join in, along with recent retirees.

Victoria Shepherd, engagement manager at UK Power Networks, explains that the employer’s chief executive, Basil Scarsella, has called the event his favourite night of the year.

“The 40+ Club is the main event when recognising long service, but employees are recognised throughout their whole career with us,” she says. ”Staff are recognised for every decade they work for the organisation, including 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and, more recently, 60 years of service. A monetary reward is included in their pay packet on the month they reach each milestone, increasing incrementally with hundreds turning into thousands each decade.”

This year, the 40+ Club will see an additional 13 members join. UK Power Networks has invited more than 600 people to its annual celebration night, with 332 of those still currently working at the firm.

As a large number of its employees are often out in all weathers and round the clock to repair, upgrade and maintain cables and infrastructure, it wants to mark that with special occasions and reward celebrated by its whole workforce.

UK Power Networks, which has a values and family-oriented nature, also likes to acknowledge a high level of experience, loyalty and dedication among its staff, adds Shepherd.

“This is an organisation which fosters career progression and continuous development, investing in individuals in an industry where the best people are needed. Social mobility is important, as people strive to do well in the current challenging climate with the continued cost-of-living crisis, and if they have a career where they can progress within the same organisation, which looks after them, they appreciate that. Celebrating achievements helps provide role models for future generations of workers,” she says.