The AF Group was named the winner of the Employer of the Year award, sponsored by Pure Executive and Birketts LLP, at the Norfolk Business Awards 2022.

Based in Honingham Thorpe, near Norwich, The AF Group is a farmer-owned, not-for-profit co-operative buying group employing 105 people.

The company buys everything from fertiliser, fuel and seed to electricity, iPads and machinery for farmers – with an aim to offer great prices, valuable market intelligence and excellent customer service.

The judges described The AF Group as “a very impressive, diverse business in a challenging sector which has developed progressive and inclusive people and culture strategies”.

The business has been on a transformative journey in recent years to refocus the culture of the organisation and is now reaping the rewards, said the judges.

Praising the “excellent” leadership skills and “visible improvement” shown by The AF Group, the judges said it is clear the company is committed to engaging with staff and it offers a “very well-rounded” benefits package and development opportunities.

“Following significant change over the last 18 months, our focus has been to create a culture where every individual could thrive and be happy,” said Crissy Meades, chief people officer at AF Group. “This award not only shows we achieved this but also recognises each and every one of our colleagues whose contribution makes AF great.

“We want to be part of the change that shouts loud about the existing talent within Norfolk and puts it on the map for people wishing to work for one of these fantastic organisations.”

About the sponsors

Pure Executive 

As a leading executive search specialist, Pure Executive is dedicated to bringing exceptional board, senior leadership and chair appointments for organisations across the East of England.

The team work closely with clients and candidates to align their values, motivations and expertise.

Drawing on a diverse network of long-standing connections, Pure applies rigorous, targeted search techniques to find the right leaders on both a national and global scale through its executive search.  

Birketts LLP  

For more than 150 years, Birketts’ core belief has remained the same. The professional skill and integrity of its lawyers is its most important asset.

Birketts has more than 800 lawyers and colleagues working from offices across the East of England and London, sharing a common culture and commitment to client service.

With a reputation for being forward-thinking and ambitious, and providing high-quality legal advice, Birketts is a leading regional law firm with an impressive national and international network of clients. 

The finalists

Big C Cancer Charity 

Based at Norwich Research Park, Big C Cancer Charity provides support and information to those affected by cancer across Norfolk. The charity and its supporters have raised over £40m since it was founded in 1980.

The judges called Big C “an impressive, forward-thinking organisation” which demonstrates that people and culture are at the heart of everything it does. 

Breakwater IT 

Norwich-based Breakwater IT, founded in 2005, provides IT support and services to businesses across Norfolk and the UK.

The judges said Breakwater’s leadership team appears to be well-connected to its employees and is “clearly committed to being an employer of choice”, with a “progressive, fun and vibrant culture” and a “well-structured, people-focused strategy”. 

QMS International 

QMS International is a consultancy and certification body based in Norwich that offers a range of support services to help businesses achieve ISO (International Organization for Standardization) certification.  

The judges said QMS demonstrated a “comprehensive range of progressive people strategies” that recognise diversity and show that staff are at the forefront of the business.