In June 2006 we were delighted to hear that Annie Mawson, Founder and Chief Executive of Sunbeams, had reached the finals of The Working Families/LLoyds TSB Best Boss competition. Working Families is the UK's leading work-life balance campaign organisation. It supports and gives a voice to working parents and carers, and helps employers create workplaces which encourage work-life balance for everyone .

Annie believes her charity would not survive unless it was "a happy workplace". She was nominated by Project Co-ordinator, Claire Watters, who described her "supportive, nurturing and inspiring" boss as someone who "makes Sunbeams a way of life and not just a job".

The certificate presented to Annie for reaching the final

Annie says, "Work-life balance policies are fundamental to the smooth running of the organisation. Because of the flexible way we work, we are able to surround ourselves with brilliant, well-integrated people, which is vital for us. Absenteeism and staff turnover are non-existent, sickness rates are very low and morale is always high."

Claire Green, Head of Employer Relations at Working Families, congratulated Annie on being a finalist in this year's Best Boss competition. She said, "This is a tremendous achievement as we had a record number of entries - all of a very high standard."