Zigup Plc Share News (ZIG)

(Sharecast News) - Zigup has been awarded a King's Award for Enterprise, it announced on Tuesday, in recognition of its efforts to promote opportunity through support for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The FTSE 250 Darlington-based mobility services group said it was one of 10 companies to receive the award in the category this year, and among 197 organisations recognised overall.

It said the accolade highlighted its programmes aimed at improving access to employment through initiatives such as work experience, apprenticeships, mentoring, training, and careers advice.

The company said its efforts were designed to enhance job skills and create long-term career opportunities.

Zigup provides integrated mobility solutions to both business and personal customers, offering services including vehicle rental, fleet management, EV charging, accident management, vehicle repair, and maintenance.

The group employs 8,000 staff across 11 businesses, with operations in the UK, Ireland, and Spain.

"This award recognises our efforts in promoting opportunity, and reinforces the investments we are making in building skills for the future and the impact this is having on early careers, the communities in which we work and our reputation for being a responsible employer," said chief executive officer Martin Ward.

"Zigup operates in an industry which offers great potential for people to join with minimal qualifications, learn significant technical skills and embrace new automotive technologies.

"Breaking down socio-economic barriers to employment supports growth and helps close the skills gap in the automotive sector."

Ward said that, with more than 400 apprentices across the Zigup group, the award was a "huge recognition" for the team behind it who had developed an "award-winning apprentice and mentor programme", and were broadening the company's diversity and inclusion efforts.

"We continually seek to best support our people in forging successful and rewarding careers and helping keep our customers mobile."

At 1036 BST, shares in Zigup were flat at 319.5p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.