We’re never short of things to shout about at Hemisphere, even as the year is nearing to a close. There was plenty for us to get excited about in November.

Milestones for Caroline Simmons and Joe Nicolls

November saw two more Hemisphere employees hit significant milestones with the company: Caroline Simmons and Joe Nicolls.

Now with us for eight years, Caroline is an Import Sea Freight Coordinator and was one of four people in her department when she first started at HFS. Besides providing excellent customer service, arranging customs clearance, booking deliveries and liaising with overseas agents, she is also helping train newcomers with the team, which is now up to nine people.

“I have worked for various-sized companies throughout my working life, and one thing that stands out the most for me personally is the atmosphere,” says Caroline. “Yes, you need to maintain a professional working environment, but also laughter is the best medicine in the world. If you can have a little giggle throughout the day, this can completely change a stressful environment, which shipping can definitely be.”

Joe, who is celebrating three years with us, added: “Hemisphere has such a friendly work atmosphere and everyone is approachable – from my line manager all the way up to the Managing Director. You can talk to anyone, which is really refreshing.”

As one of our Night Shunters, Joes works through the night transporting empty containers between the Port of Felixstowe and Hemisphere’s loading facility, and swapping them for full containers. This ensures the dock is ready for the following morning and that goods can continue to be moved 24/7 without delay or interruption. Joe was an agency driver prior to joining Hemisphere, and with a lot of experience in dock management, his skills have proven invaluable to the company, helping us find new efficiencies with container turnaround.

Hemisphere Sponsors Ultra White Collar Charity Boxing Match

We were happy to sponsor Ipswich local, Kara Thurkettle, in her Ultra White Collar Boxing Match to raise money for Cancer Research UK. The charity operates entirely on donations to fund cancer research, the development of policies to inform government decisions and resources for the public related to cancer and research.

“I’ve lost many people to cancer and witnessed the impact of chemotherapy whilst caring for my grandmother,” said Kara. “I wanted to do something to honour her and all of the people whose lives have changed because of cancer. I’m very grateful to Hemisphere for their sponsorship and generous donation.”

Kara has been in training for a few weeks and will make her boxing debut at the Best Western in Ipswich on December 16th. To date, Ultra White Collar Boxing is Cancer Research UK’s biggest fundraiser in the UK, with over £14 million raised.

Louis Perrin, Director at Hemisphere, said: “Knowing Kara personally from our connections at StrategiQ Marketing and the impact that cancer has on the lives of so many people, we were happy to help support her fundraising efforts and help further the research that is helping those who are currently fighting cancer.”

If you are interested in supporting Kara on her upcoming endeavour, you can still donate to her JustGiving page here.

Hemisphere Sponsors St. Helena Hospice & Brett Vale

Hemisphere supported Bob Salt, brother of our Financial Director Danny Salt, as this year’s club captain of Brett Vale Golf Club, in aid of St. Helena Hospice in Colchester.

It’s tradition at Brett Vale Golf Club that the club captain during Captain’s Week nominates a charity and then organises a week of competitions in order to raise as much money as possible, with various prizes and donations being made not only by fellow members but also by the family who owns Brett Vale. Hemisphere sponsored the Friday competition, while donating £500 to the hospice.

The choice of charity was very personal to Bob and Danny, both of whom wanted to support St Helena Hospice in memory of their late mum who was so well cared for by St. Helena prior to her passing. Bob raised a grand total of £3,000 throughout the week, including our own donation.

“Danny and I started as trainees in a former company prior to Hemisphere, and having grown up in the same area and become good friends, we have got to know each other’s families well, “ said Andy Perrin, Managing Director of Hemisphere. “We were very happy to support Bob, by not only sponsoring and participating in one of the Captain’s Week competitions, but also in donating an additional £500.00 to a charity which has not only supported their family, but also other Hemisphere team family members over the years.”

For more information on how you can help and donate to St. Helena Hospice, you can find visit its website here.