Chan Abraham, group chief executive of Luminus Group, tells Lisa Hanlon why the organisation chooses to sponsor The Hunts Post Business Awards. THE Luminus Group is no stranger to these awards. Sponsors of the Employee of the Year award since 2004, the or

Chan Abraham, group chief executive of Luminus Group, tells Lisa Hanlon why the organisation chooses to sponsor The Hunts Post Business Awards.

THE Luminus Group is no stranger to these awards. Sponsors of the Employee of the Year award since 2004, the organisation is now sponsor of the Employer of the Year.

Luminus Group is a socially responsible business and a main provider and developer of affordable homes in eastern England. Widely acknowledged as a pioneer of innovation in service delivery, Luminus develops sustainable communities by providing quality homes and real estate services. Luminus also prides itself on offering excellent employment opportunities.

Chan Abraham, the group chief executive, said: "We are delighted to be sponsoring the Employer of the Year category in this year's Hunts Post Business Awards. We feel we are well placed to sponsor this category, as we have won a number of prestigious accolades for being a good employer ourselves during our six-year existence. These include winning the i2 Award for Inspiring Employee Commitment in 2004 and BBC Cambridgeshire's 2006 Big Challenge Health Works Award for Most Improved Employer."

Mr Abraham knows what is important to running a successful organisation: "We recognise people are our greatest asset. It is very important to create an environment where staff feel valued and motivated and understand their individual contribution in helping us achieve our corporate goals.

"We appreciate that inspired employees deliver inspiring results."

Recognised as an enthusiastic pioneer of innovative, independently financed schemes for affordable housing, Luminus offers people of all ages and backgrounds the choice to rent or buy. Currently providing homes for over 30,000 people in Cambridgeshire, the organisation is rapidly growing and diversifying.

As a major local employer, with approximately 280 staff, Mr Abraham believes Luminus has one of the most talented and motivated staff teams in the UK.

He said: "Employers must encourage and invest in the training and personal development of all employees if they want to provide outstanding levels of customer service and achieve commercial success. It is equally important for a business to provide a conducive, working environment with flexible working options and a healthy work-life balance."

Mr Abraham added. "This is a great category in these awards and one which all businesses would be proud to win. I hope that many organisations will enter to demonstrate the high standard of employers in Huntingdonshire.