Pareto Celebrates 20 Years with 1920s-themed event

A company-wide review and celebration saw 150 members of Pareto staff descend on the company’s head office in Wilmslow as Pareto held its renowned annual Launch event on Friday 16^th January.

Business activities ground to a halt as all individuals from Bristol, Brighton, London, Leeds, Glasgow, Nottingham and Wilmslow came together to reflect upon business success in 2014, and mark a particularly momentous year in the Pareto calendar: the company’s 20^th Anniversary after being established by partners CEO Jonathan Fitchew and Managing Director Andrew Sawer in 1995.

A day of recognition and reward, events kicked off with presentations delivered by senior management, looking at significant achievements at individual, team and company level. Managing Director Andrew Sawer pointed to a staggering 5 company records smashed over the course of the year in terms of monthly and quarterly revenue generation, while Sales Director Mark Lendon looked at the growing success seen with Pareto’s Sales as a Service offering. Managed Services Director Bryn Thompson stirred up the age-old North / South battle as he took a closer look at the growth of Pareto’s training division, which also celebrated a hugely successful year including the team’s biggest ever international deal and the introduction of its e-learning strategy.

However, it wasn’t all about talking shop: Pareto’s own legendary Marketing Director, Paul “Dr. D.R.E.W.”, opened his presentation with a return to the stage, bringing the company to its feet with a rendition of Eminem’s “Guess Who’s Back?...” (his final retiring performance – or so he claims.) Managing Director Jonathan Fitchew also followed his year-review with talk of Pareto’s forthcoming Dubai holiday incentive and key dates in the social calendar; before presenting Human Resources Administrator Hannah with outstanding recognition in the form of the Randstad “Just One More” High Performance Award, topping the day by giving her the £1,500 prize.

The final presentation of the day took the form of Pareto’s Yearbook: compiling photographs from various social events, holidays and internal initiatives from over the course of 2014, such as Pareto’s legendary themed cold-calling days and incredible Christmas Charity drive. As Jonathan stood up to dismiss the crowd, a final twist on the day came into play: a scrapbook based on Pareto’s twenty years as a business compiled from a collection of old photographs, which explored the tremendous journey of the company since inception.

After a tear or two had been raised from the crowd, Jonathan and Andrew were called forward as part of a standing ovation to receive their 20^th Anniversary Yearbooks, signed with personal messages from individuals across the company. The duo also blew out candles on their very own birthday cake – a roast chicken on a bed of scotch eggs (a flashback to the early days!).

However, the fun didn’t stop there: Pareto’s evening event, taking place at the Mere Hotel in Cheshire, took the “20^th Anniversary” celebration to its height with an all-out 1920’s-themed gala. Headbands, Gatsby flapper dresses and vintage top-hats were the rule of the day as attendees were “papped” on the red carpet on entry to the champagne-reception event.  Show girls and a live band set the tone before guests were ushered through to the banquet hall for a sit-down dinner and live dance acts from the flamboyant 1920s dance troupe.

Pareto’s formal annual awards then saw a number of individuals take to the stage in order to receive company-wide recognition, including Graduate Manager of the Year Jim, Trainer of the Year Terry and Pareto’s own Salesperson of the Year, Sam. With champagne, wine and cocktails flowing, the company then set out to do what it does best – celebrate 20 years of outstanding success with a fitting tribute on the dance floor, supported by guest band “Back to the 80s”. Before last orders, CEO Jonathan could be spotted showcasing his talents outside sales recruitment: taking to the stage as a session singer to round off the night’s events.

A huge thank-you to all involved in making the day a success, with congratulations to founders Andrew Sawer and Jonathan Fitchew on making the 20-year milestone. Here’s to the next 20!