McElhinneys’ Business and Sales Manager, the wonderful Sandra Devenney, has been honoured with the overall Manager of the Year Award at the Retail Excellence 2018 Awards. Sandra scooped the win at the Retail Excellence Awards Ceremony in Killarney on the 11th November, which is one of the most prestigious events in the Irish Retail Calendar. The win was particularly special as McElhinneys is the last remaining independent department store in Ireland!
As the Business & Sales Manager, Sandra conducts all the work of the various managers in McElhinneys, and with an overall staff of almost 200 people, it’s no shock that she’s a real people person through and through!
Her love of the business, the team, and the customers is what she attributes her success to, “My number one skill would be people. I’m obsessed with the customers and the people who work with them… That’s been my secret – I care so much about that team. Each and every one of them.”.
The proud Lifford local was joined by a host of McElhinneys colleagues at the event, who cheered loudly when Sandra was announced as the winner on the night!
Sandra Devenny & John McElhinney, Photo Credit: Gabrielle’s Diary
Sandra also represented women in business as a whole; as the only woman nominated for the prestigious award on the night and beating out all competitors to take the top spot! Sandra’s daughter Lily, incredibly proud of her mother was also happy that a woman won “Lily told me: ‘I’m happy you won, but I’m even happier that a woman won’… “I think it’s great that my daughter sees you can work really hard and still get places.”
According to the Retail Excellence website, participation in the Awards will “recognise, reward and celebrate outstanding performance and vision by stores, places, people, websites and suppliers throughout the Irish retail industry”.
Retail Excellence Chief, David Fitzsimons, wanted to congratulate all the winners and entrants who displayed an excellent standard of service, “Congratulations to the winners on this amazing feat and I want to also say a very well done to all of the hundreds of entrants who, while unsuccessful on this occasion, displayed such high standards of commitment and dedication to their companies.”
Hard work, determination and passion for people has brought Sandra to where she is today, and the team at McElhinneys is fully behind her and immensely proud of her recognition as the overall winner of Manager of the Year Award at the Retail Excellence 2018 Awards.
“I believe all my past jobs brought me back to this place, where I should be,” Sandra said.
We certainly agree with you there Sandra!
- Niamh x
