Showcasing CHH’s longest-serving staff – loyalty, legacy, and people-focused leadership

CHH celebrates longevity, both in terms of business resilience and employee retention. We are proud of our history and the culture that drives our growth. We wanted to take the opportunity to recognise three long serving employees who have been with us throughout our journey, embodying the commitment and values that make our business thrive.

 

We’ve come a long way since CHH was established 35 years ago. From modest beginnings as a small cable assembler, we have continued to build on strong foundations to become a fast-growing solutions provider that offers customers a full turnkey offer in smart connectivity. That success is all down to the people who drive our business.

 

We know that our staff are our greatest asset, and we take pride in our retention rate. Around half of CHH employees have been in the business for at least 5 years with nearly 30 employees having been here more than a decade. We invest in continuous professional development and staff have the opportunity to progress through the business. Several people have moved from the shop floor and warehouse through to senior positions and have been empowered to fulfil their potential. Our three longest serving employees took some time out to talk to us about their experience.

 

Sarah Sherwood – SHEQ Manager

 

Sarah is CHH’s longest serving employee. Her journey with CHH goes right back to when the business was established in 1990. Within hours of learning that her previous employer had gone bust, CHH co-founder Alan Coley asked Sarah whether she would come to work for him in his new business venture. The very next morning she started her new role as manufacturing operative and over the ensuing decades has been instrumental in the development of a multi-million pound business.

 

Sarah has had various roles within CHH, gaining experience across operations, sales, purchasing, and production. She has developed a deep understanding of the business and a commitment to getting stuck in wherever needed. “I’ve worn many hats over the years,” she said. “It’s that variety and the sense of being part of something bigger that’s kept me here.”

 

Her current role sees her leading on Safety, Health, Environment and Quality, while also serving as the newly appointed sustainability lead. Sarah is now undertaking the IEMA Certificate in Environmental Management (PIEMA), an internationally recognised qualification that will bolster her ability to implement CHH’s ambitious Sustainability Strategy.

 

More than just a professional progression, Sarah’s story is a testament to CHH’s ethos of nurturing talent from within and providing space for people to grow. Her decades of experience within CHH give her a unique understanding of our business and culture. She has seen the business transform from a small operation in a single unit to a dynamic organisation with a national footprint and global aspirations. Throughout it all, she has remained a cornerstone of the company’s success. “CHH has always felt like a family,” she reflects. “You’re seen as an individual, not a number. That makes a huge difference – it’s why so many of us have stayed.”

 

Sandra Ashwin – Warehouse Administrator

 

CHH has always been, and still is to this day, a family orientated company. Sandra is the sister of one of the co-founders, Tim Hughes. She has been a part of CHH since day one when the business started out making cable assemblies in co-founder Alan Coley’s garage. Sandra helped with a lot of the administrative work needed to get the business up and running.

 

Throughout the years, Sandra has held a few different positions within the organization. She has worked with the accounts team doing weekly payroll. Sandra also helped out with customer service. Currently, Sandra works with the warehouse team on various administrative tasks.

 

 Paul Parsonage – Production Manager

 

Paul joined the business in 1991 when CHH was still finding its feet. He had worked with many of the core team in a previous company and following a brief stint with a local tarmacking company was brought into the fold.

 

From his first role in the cutting area, Paul has steadily progressed through the company, ultimately becoming CHH’s Production Manager. His hands-on understanding of the business has grown with each role he’s taken on, and his career reflects CHH’s ethos of promoting from within and recognising those who rise to meet new challenges.

 

One of the qualities that has kept Paul at CHH for so long is the sheer variety and unpredictability of the work. “No two days are ever the same,” he said. “You never know what you’re going to walk into, and that’s what makes it so rewarding. Whether it’s managing schedules, solving last-minute challenges, or working with the team to deliver under pressure – it keeps you sharp.” Like many others at CHH, Paul values the open and accessible leadership style that the company has maintained throughout its growth. “The bosses know your name, and you always feel like you can speak up.”

 

With strong family ties throughout the business – his father previously worked as a maintenance engineer, and his daughter and brother have both been part of the team -Paul embodies the sense of community that sets CHH apart. “We are an eclectic mix of people from all sorts of backgrounds, and that’s a strength,” he added. “There’s mutual respect amongst colleagues. You’re valued for what you bring, and that’s what’s kept me here.”

 

People first approach

 

CHH is working to further embed this ethos with the development of a new recognition and reward programme. Designed to celebrate tenure, high performance, and alignment with our company values, it will showcase those who embody the spirit of CHH.

 

Chief Operating Officer Paul Turner said: “As CHH’s business grows, we want to honour the legacy of those who have helped shape our business. Celebrating the service and stories of our longest-standing employees will be a key component of our new recognition programme. They act as role models and inspire their colleagues as we continue building on those strong foundations.”

 

Social values are a key component of our sustainability strategy and promoting growth from within and rewarding our team members is a key part of that. Keep an eye out for our 2025 Sustainability Report which will be launched within the next couple of months to learn more about how far we have come on our journey.