Asda Store Manager from Stockport receives a BEM for services to the Covid-19 response

Simon Lea, an Asda General Store Manager from Stockport, has received a BEM in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

• The COVID-19 crisis has meant that all Asda’s stores teams have risen to the critical challenge of feeding the nation, but Simon Lea’s dedication to supporting his community and customers over the past few months has been nothing short of amazing.
• Leading by example, Simon has worked extra days in store and given up holiday to support his team through the most challenging period any of them have ever experienced.
• From panic buying in March, to supporting a massive increase in online orders, to implementing strict social distancing measures to keep colleagues and customers safe, this has been an unprecedented time.
• In 2016 he pioneered the first quiet hour in Asda to support customers with autism, and through this crisis as well as going above and beyond in his day job, Simon has selflessly volunteered his free time outside of work to support vulnerable and elderly people in his local community.
• He has personally gathered shopping lists and then picked and delivered groceries as well as care packages to the homes of customers who would otherwise struggle to get their shopping.
• To help him with these deliveries, Simon got in touch with The National Lottery and managed to source an electric bike. Recognising that loneliness is currently a massive issue for many vulnerable and elderly customers, Simon has also made sure to reach out while on his deliveries, making time for socially distanced chats so he could check-in on customers’ welfare.
• Just one example of how thoughtful Simon is while he was on one of his deliveries, he learnt that it was coming up to customer Marjorie’s 98th birthday and as she was shielding she would be alone on her special day. Simon, along with his colleagues and the store’s customers, rallied around and safely delivered cards and gifts.

Congratulations Simon!