HUNTINGDONSHIRE S biggest social landlord, which prides itself on being the best employer in the district, is behind the search for a rival. The Luminus Group is once again sponsoring the Employer of the Year Award in The Hunts Post Huntingdonshire Busine

HUNTINGDONSHIRE'S biggest social landlord, which prides itself on being the best employer in the district, is behind the search for a rival.

The Luminus Group is once again sponsoring the Employer of the Year Award in The Hunts Post Huntingdonshire Business of the Year Awards 2008.

The company, recently named one of the 100 best companies to work for in the country, has also been finalist in three National Business Awards, won two Cambridgeshire Recruitment Awards and won the RoSPA Gold Award four years in a row.

Luminus is proud of its inspirational leadership and innovation in housing services delivery. Luminus leads the way in socially-responsible business in eastern England, focusing on providing homes, employment, real estate services and building sustainable communities.

It is an enthusiastic pioneer of innovative, independently-financed schemes for high-quality affordable housing that gives people of all ages and backgrounds the choice to rent or buy.

Chief Executive Chan Abraham told The Hunts Post: "We recognise that people are our greatest asset. It is very important to us to create an environment where staff feel valued and motivated and where they understand their individual contribution in helping us achieve our corporate goals.

"We demonstrate this by offering excellent working conditions and employment benefits, and through investing in the personal and professional development of all of our staff," he added.

"Luminus is committed to excellence, effectiveness, efficiency and equality of opportunity as a service provider and employer. We are delighted to be sponsoring the Employer of the Year category again in this year's Hunts Post Business Awards.

"The Luminus story is a continuing journey of helping to make people's lives better, creating hope and inspiring faith in the future. With a commitment to giving the very best service, employees who are passionate for excellence and customers who express confidence in us, we are looking forward to achieving even better results."

Luminus, which was set up as Huntingdonshire Housing Partnership to take over Huntingdonshire District Council's housing stock in 2000, provides homes for over 30,000 people. It is a growing operation, adding new opportunities in central and southern England to its strong eastern base.

Luminus now enjoys a high national public profile, with a growing international reputation, as a modern business, dedicated to excellence with effective third millennium leadership and high quality employees as the keys to its success, the company said.

An employer of choice, with over 370 staff, Luminus says it has one of the most talented and motivated staff teams in the UK. The company understands that its strength lies in the quality and dedication of its employees, and Luminus has received public recognition of this by winning a number of prestigious business awards.

Luminus has also been finalist in three National Business Awards, won two Cambridgeshire Recruitment Awards and won the RoSPA Gold Award four years in a row.

Over the past eight years Luminus has invested over £50 million in its properties, developed over 400 new homes and has greatly increased the number of jobs in the area, including providing an acclaimed apprenticeship scheme and has introduced different ways of helping and supporting communities, such as its Neighbourhood Wardens, Tenancy Support and Out & About transport schemes.