Setting the Pace for 2026: Employee of the Month – January
February is already moving at pace, but before the month gathers full momentum, we are pausing to recognise colleagues whose work in January helped set the tone for 2026.
The start of the year rarely arrives quietly. January brought audit preparation, operational pressure, strategic initiatives and the steady continuation of day-to-day responsibilities across the Vorenta Group. Behind that activity were individuals who stepped forward, strengthened their teams and ensured standards remained exactly where they should be.
Our Employee of the Month recognition programme exists to spotlight that kind of contribution.
🏆 MLC Winner - Ricky Hyde
CSO2 – Relief
January also tested operational resilience on site.
As a Relief CSO2, Ricky stepped into a particularly demanding plant environment, navigating procedural challenges while maintaining clear and constructive communication between plant management and MLC leadership. He upheld vigilance standards, identified solutions where needed and ensured relationships remained professional throughout.
The Relief role demands adaptability, resilience and professionalism — and in January, Ricky demonstrated all three.
🏆 Imports / Exports / Head Office Winner - Helen Stiley
Finance and IT Administrator
Not all progress is visible — but some of it shapes the entire organisation.
Alongside her core Finance duties, Helen played a critical role in two January initiatives with lasting impact. One focused on financial planning and compliance; the other underpins the launch of our new Company intranet later this month.
Both required detailed review of processes, identification of inefficiencies and constructive collaboration with external providers to implement improvements. It is thoughtful, improvement-led work that strengthens the Group’s foundations — even if most colleagues will never see the complexity behind it.
🏆 Official Controls Winner - Mehmet Kocabey
Area Veterinary Manager
In preparation for a major EU audit during January, Mehmet demonstrated leadership that is felt as much as it is seen. As workload intensified, he took ownership of responsibilities beyond his usual remit without hesitation, providing daily support to his team while keeping wellbeing firmly front and centre.
Supporting others through peak pressure required additional hours and personal flexibility — both during the audit and in the immediate post-audit phase. His steady presence and unwavering commitment to standards reflect the culture we expect across Official Controls.lesias, Portal Official Veterinarian, managed two complex cases with professionalism and integrity, safeguarding the quality of our controls while building strong relationships with external partners.
Carrying Momentum Forward
Although we are now firmly into February, the foundation laid in January matters. The way we begin the year often shapes everything that follows.
Helen, Mehmet and Ricky contributed in different ways — leadership, infrastructure improvement and operational consistency — yet all reflect our core values of quality, integrity, collaboration and openness.
Congratulations to all three on this well-deserved recognition.
