Honeycomb Group has been recognised as Best New Employer 2026 by the Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG), celebrating its exceptional commitment to supporting and developing apprentices.
The award recognises organisations that demonstrate excellence in creating opportunities for future talent. Judges praised Honeycomb Group for its collaborative approach, strong partnership working and clear commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
In their feedback, NSCG highlighted that Honeycomb Group “stands out as an exemplary new apprenticeship employer due to their collaborative ethos, proactive engagement and genuine passion for developing future talent,” adding that the organisation has “set a high standard for others to follow.”
The organisation was also recognised for working closely with the Apprenticeship Hub to design and promote roles, ensuring that recruitment processes were clear, accessible and well structured.
As a charity and registered housing provider delivering vital housing and support services across Staffordshire and surrounding areas, Honeycomb Group was commended for bringing a strong sense of purpose to its apprenticeship offer - helping individuals and communities to thrive.
Julie Guildford Smith, Chief Executive of Honeycomb Group, said:
“This award reflects the culture we’re building at Honeycomb - one that invests in people, supports development and creates meaningful opportunities.
We’re passionate about nurturing talent and making sure our apprentices feel valued, supported and inspired in their roles.
I’m incredibly proud of our teams and the commitment they’ve shown to developing the next generation.”
Strategic Lead: Communications, Laura Weston-Wain was also recognised by NSCG for her outstanding mentoring, with judges highlighting her thoughtful, development-focused approach and the positive impact this has had on apprentice confidence, skills and professional growth.
Laura said: “I’m so proud to be recognised at the awards, but this is very much a wider Communications Team celebration. The support my team has provided our apprentice, Natalie, over the last year has been fantastic.
As a Level 7 Senior Leader apprentice myself, I understand the huge amount of academic and practical work that goes into an apprenticeship. It’s been a privilege to support our apprentice and see her confidence grow, connecting day-to-day work to a bigger community purpose.”
Newcastle College also praised Honeycomb Group publicly, saying the organisation has “set a gold standard for future talent development,” creating an environment where apprentices can thrive while contributing to a wider, community-focused purpose.
