Britain's Best Boss 2003

Senior Charge Nurse Emma Brandon is the 2003 Best Boss. Emma, who works for the Norwich Mental Healthcare NHS Trust, manages a 20-bed ward looking after long term patients with severe mental health problems. The competition judges were impressed by the dynamic environment Emma has created. By treating staff as individuals, giving them some control and input into shift patterns, she has brought out the best in everybody. Her ward has become a magnet for new staff and a happy, rewarding environment for everyone.

Emma is a good example of why Working Families run the Best Boss competition because she shows her peers around the health service - and indeed managers everywhere - how individual managers can make a huge difference to the working lives of those who work for them, by giving them some flexibility and control over how and when they work.

Emma says: "I believe I have helped create a happier working environment, which has allowed staff to develop their skills and roles and encourages team working. At the heart of this is a flexible working system which helps meet people's needs, whilst meeting the clinical needs of our clients. Staff sickness levels here are now well below the national average, we communicate better and we are much more patient-centred. And our clients have responded amazingly: levels of shouting, abuse and violence have lowered dramatically."

Special Commendations also went to:

Della Garmory, Personnel Manager, Nationwide Building Society, for creating a range of flexible working arrangements tailored to individual needs

Kevin Bennett, Director, the Ford Motor Company, for re-engineering the manufacturing mindset

Mark Harris, Employee Services Director, Lands End Direct Merchants Ltd, for creativity and innovation in achieving goals

The other finalists in Best Boss 2003 were:

• Linda Taylor, Partner, Linda Taylor Associates
• Henry Gray, Area Manager, Age and Disability Action, BT
• Terry Palmer, Engineering Manager, HBC Engineering Solutions Ltd
• Hamish Mead, Managing Director, CMc Media
• Farida Gai, Vice President, EMEA Finance, JPMorgan
• Anita Hinton, Project Manager, Longbridge Childcare Strategy Group
• Iain Robison, First Line Manager, Inland Revenue
• Lucy Phillips, Employment Equality Manager, Birmingham City Council

Reg Charity No: 1099808