Tiffney is employed by ESS Defence, specialist provider of foodservice and facilities management to military establishments across the UK, and part of Compass Group UK & Ireland.
She won the award in recognition of her ‘extraordinary efforts’ and kindness when the military base, including 27 family homes, was flooded following severe weather. Not only did she wade knee-deep through water, helping people to retrieve their belongings and relocate accommodation, she also took in a family and their pets, housing them for a week.
Commenting on the news, Tiffany said: “I absolutely did not expect this. I just did what anyone would do and supported my colleagues and the families around me. Thank you to Michael Southerden for nominating me, and to everyone I work with.”
Tiffany was presented with the top prize of £10,000 by Compass chief executive Robin Mills, at a surprise ceremony held at the military base where she works Chicksands in Bedfordshire.
Over 2,000 colleagues were nominated in the recognition programme, now in its third year. Tiffany’s story shone out to the judges, who selected her as overall champion from among the 319 regional winners.
Mills added: “Our people positively impact lives in the communities where they work every day. Thank you to each and every one of our frontline team members for all they do and special congratulations to our 2024 ‘Legend’ Tiffany Underwood.
“Her generous actions and selflessness are truly commendable. She offered anything and everything she had to support others and put their comfort above her own. She is the pride of Compass.”