NI Store Manager Up For Global Award

NI Store Manager Up For Global Award
Pictured with manager Darren is store owner Stephen Swift and staff at SuperValu Lisnaskea

After winning the inaugural Neighbourhood Retailer Store Manager of the Year Award in 2012, Darren Given’s career has gone from strength to strength.

Managing Swift’s SuperValu in Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh, Darren has since picked up a clutch of accolades and is now in the running for the NACS/Insight International Manager of the Year.

Speaking to Neighbourhood Retailer, Darren said: “As you can imaging it’s absolutely amazing to be shortlisted. For someone managing a store in a small town in Northern Ireland, it’s unbelievable!

“To be named among the best convenience store managers in the world is something I never dreamed possible, but if you want something bad enough you can always achieve it.”

Darren has headed up the team at Swift’s for more than nine years and the store has won many awards, including Neighbourhood Retailer Deli of the Year.

The  NACS competition sees him up against three store managers from over the border and one from Poland.

Darren added: “Winning this award will mean so much to me personally but it will also be great for the store and the town. It will put a focus on Lisnaskea and that can only but help business.

“As we have such a great bunch of staff it would mean their work gets added attention and the recognition it deserves. After all, you cannot be a good manager without a great team behind you. For me, it would show that all the dedication is worth it and that my work in Swift’s is receiving some recognition. It would be a career highlight indeed.”

* Pictured top with manager Darren Given (front) is store owner Stephen Swift and staff at SuperValu Lisnaskea

Darren Given (centre) receiving his NR Store Manager of the Year award in 2012
Darren Given (centre) receiving his NR Store Manager of the Year award in 2012