A WORKER who has dedicated 20 years to the calendar business says she is thrilled after being named Employee of the Year at an annual awards ceremony.

Nicola Stephens works for Rose Calendars, one of Britain’s biggest calendar companies.

Nicola, who is the Colchester firm’s pre-press manager, has scooped the calendar industry’s top gong.

The INCA award recognises an individual in the calendar industry who has gone the extra mile to deliver outstanding performance and customer service.

Nicola, who has been at the business for 20 years, said she was thrilled her efforts have been formally recognised.

“I feel honoured to have my work appreciated in this way,” she said.

“I started at Rose straight after college as a trainee in the pre-press department, and 20 years later, now manage the department myself.”

As part of the pre-press team Nicola’s role involved being responsible for everything which goes on before work can be printed.

They also help creating the artwork required for the calendar pages.

This includes all of the customers’ advertisements, logos and brand details as well as image adjustments, corrections and edits.

Managing director of Rose Calendars, Michael Rose, said he was delighted for Nicola.

He added: “Nicola’s hard work and dedication has clearly paid off.

“She is a valued member of the management team and has improved the level of service given to our customers.”

Rose Calendars has been trading in Colchester since 1908 and is the country’s largest promotional calendars manufacturer.

Mr Rose is the fourth generation of the Rose family at the helm of the business.

The firm prints an average of 250 to 300 calendars for each business it supplies, totalling about two million in all a year.