Huge congratulations to our apprentice content creator Tony K, who was named December's Apprentice of the Month by his training provider, Baltic Apprenticeships.
Tony, who started with us in spring 2023, is completing his Level 3 Content Creator Apprenticeship under the guidance of Assistant Marketing Manager Kenika Gumbs, who nominated him for the award.
Kenika says: "Tony is an extraordinary individual whose achievements are nothing short of fantastic. Despite facing the challenges of ADHD, he has not only persevered but has excelled in various areas, showcasing his exceptional talents and unwavering determination."
One of Tony's greatest achievements is a fly-through video of our base here in Oldham, which he filmed for our acclaimed HPX trade show in September, and which met with universal praise when it was played to guests before the event's gala dinner at the Village Hotel in Ashton.
Dan Mounsey, our Marketing and Business Development Director, says: "It's great to see Tony developing so well in his role - there's lots more to come from him, I'm sure. Well done, Tony!"
A keen photographer and videographer since childhood, this is Tony's first full-time job in marketing, and he says he was attracted to the role because of its potential to grow and develop.
He says: "Thank you to Kenika for nominating me and for her kind words.
"HPP is a very warm company, and everyone is very helpful and supportive. This is the first time ever I've been excited about coming into work. I'm getting great content done and I now want to refine my skills and learn new ones."
Outside of work, Tony is a keen chronicler of current affairs, using his photographic and video skills to capture news events, public gatherings and demonstrations, often selling footage to news organisations.
This is the rest of Kenika's nomination that caught the eye of Baltic's judges:
"One of Tony's notable accomplishments lies in the field of videography. With his keen eye for detail and innate creativity, he has consistently produced captivating and visually stunning videos. Whether it's capturing a day in the life of HPP or telling compelling stories through his lens, his work is truly remarkable.
"He has done an amazing job on creating a video that was showcased at our HPX show which was a big highlight. Tony has demonstrated that he is eager to learn about a wide range of topics, including Adobe, SEO, meta descriptions, and much more, in addition to copywriting and photography.
"Additionally, Tony has made significant contributions in the marketing department. His creative side shines through as he effortlessly comes up with innovative ideas to promote products and services. He is constantly participating in open discussion, especially during meetings. This shows how attentive he is to learning each day and willing to contribute in any way that he can.
"Despite the challenges associated with his ADHD, Tony's dedication and passion have allowed him to overcome obstacles and achieve greatness. His commitment to his craft, coupled with his exceptional talent, serves as an inspiration to others.
"Tony's achievements so far stand as a testament to his resilience, creativity and unwavering determination, making him a true role model for anyone facing adversity."
Tony is the latest in a long line of apprentices who have carved out a career with our support, with our first ever apprentice, trainee accountant Julia Heap, who joined us 25 years ago, going on to become CEO at Hopwood Hall College and University Centre following a successful career in local government finance.