Business administration apprentic Sam Greasley picked up the Apprentice of the Year award at the 2020 Mansfield and Ashfield Business Awards after making it to the final four back in March this year.
The award was created to celebrate the young talent coming through for businesses in and around the area.
To win the award, Sam had to be nominated. He was then requested to attend an interview with the panel of judges along with three other finalists.
Sam 20, from Kirkby-in-Ashfield, joined Midlands Asset Finance (MAF) in South Normanton, Derbyshire, as an apprentice business administrator in August 2018 and was brought in to support the operations and sales support teams.
He quickly showed promise and after passing his apprenticeship with a 98% overall score, he was promoted to become Midlands Asset Finance’s youngest ever relationship manager.
And now, after spending some time in the asset finance arena, Sam is an integral part of the newly-formed vehicle management division at the company.
On winning the award, Sam said: “I’m over the moon. It’s been a tough year for everyone, so to win something is a great way to look at ending 2020.
“Everyone has helped with my development at MAF – it’s something that’s really driven in the business and it’s plain to see.
“I can only keep on improving and hope that I can continue helping customers in the way that we do at MAF.”
Hosted digitally for the first time in its 19-year history, the 2020 Mansfield and Ashfield Business Awards saw a raft of local businesses across the district pick up a number of accolades.
To go along with Sam’s win, MAF also made it to the commended shortlist for Business of the Year for the second year running.
Sam’s tutor Alison Breedon said: “I am thrilled that Sam has achieved this award - what a fantastic achievement! He achieved so much during his apprenticeship and his hard work and enthusiasm is evident.
“I was so proud that he achieved distinction on completion of his business administration qualification and to see him gain a promotion at work. I wish Sam all the best in his career.”
Managing director, Sue Chapman, added: “I’m really proud of Sam. He’s a delightful young man and depicts everything that we stand for as a business.
“And I’m proud of the business in general for being recognised in the Business of the Year category again.
“Hopefully that sentence changes slightly next year!”