Employee recognition in focus as Vertu honours long-serving Ascot employee

A long-serving employee at Mercedes-Benz of Ascot has been recognised at a national level.

Claire Jefferies (pictured), sales support manager at the Ascot dealership, was named ‘Colleague of the Year’ in the Mercedes-Benz Division at the Vertu Masters Awards, the group’s annual programme celebrating high-performing non-management employees.

Now in its 15th year, the awards recognise excellence across the business, with more than 7,800 colleagues considered, underlining the scale of competition and the significance of the accolade.

Jefferies has spent 30 years with the business, building experience across a range of roles. In her current position, which she has held for the past two years, she supports the day-to-day operations of the dealership and works closely with colleagues across the team.

Her recognition reflects a wider trend among employers placing greater emphasis on acknowledging long-term contribution, consistency and team impact, alongside traditional performance metrics.

Jefferies said: “I am absolutely delighted to receive this award. Having been with the business for many years, it means a great deal to be recognised in this way.

“I have been fortunate to work with some fantastic colleagues over the years, and I enjoy supporting the team in any way I can. It is a great place to work and I am proud to be part of it.”

Robert Forrester, chief executive of Vertu, said: “Claire’s award is a wonderful recognition of her long-standing commitment and the positive impact she continues to make every day.