ADAS Scoops Prestigious Award

The Chief Executive of Stockport-based ADAS – Alcohol and Drugs Abstinence Service – has been hailed as a ‘social entrepreneur’ for her exceptional contribution to tackling social issues. Helen Massey-Roche has received a Maxie Richards award from the Centre for Social Justice – an organisation dedicated to rewarding poverty-fighting projects that really work, and to develop policies which increase independence.

In just seven years, the groundbreaking facility – a specialist treatment centre, which is the only non-residential abstinence service in the North West – has taken over 900 telephone referrals, 70 per cent of which translated into assessments. Additional milestones include buying a house, which provides a structured day care programme for the homeless and expansion to new premises.

The chief executive attributes the award to a committed 15-strong team who care about making a difference - and membership of TEC, the world’s biggest development forum for chief executives who meet for intensive monthly development sessions.

Said Massey-Roche: "I joined TEC because I was seeking a forum where I could further develop my business and strategic knowledge and learn from fellow members and top class speakers who provide us with the latest business development tools.

"Being a member of TEC is like having your own board of non-executive directors who act as a sounding board. It allows me to step back from the hands-on running of the service and to stay focused on the bigger picture to provide a balanced and far reaching network of support for those who need it most."

TEC runs four groups in the North West with members representing wide-ranging businesses including Warrington based Altrix Healthcare plc, Multibuild in Stockport and Lex Vehicle Leasing in Sale. Their turnovers range from £1 million to £350 million and they jointly employ over 3,000 people. Those who have been with TEC for three years have achieved on average in excess of 50 per cent growth in turnover and 150 per cent growth in profitability. 

Said Edward Clifford, one of three TEC Chairmen in the North West who facilitates the monthly development sessions and conducts one-to-one sessions with members: "Helen’s award is richly deserved. Today’s leaders are required to be more sophisticated and capable, demonstrating highaer levels of business acumen, while seeking to attract, motivate and retain the best people.

"Helen’s success and drive to outperform and make a difference as a social entrepreneur echoes TEC’s ethos of accelerating the personal and business development of chief executives for the benefit of their organisations."

For more information visit: www.adas-uk.org  or call 0161 484 0000