Jewson

It’s not often an employee engagement activity ends up in the record books, but the staff at builders merchant Jewson have managed it.

The team set a new Guinness World Records title for Most people wrapping presents simultaneously in 2016 and they now have a permanent memento of their achievement after being featured alongside all the real-life superheroes in the Guinness World Records 2018 Edition book.

Jewson’s successful world record attempt, one of Guinness World Records Engage portfolio of staff engagement solutions, took place at a two-day annual staff conference in December, which was attended by more than a thousand people. The presents wrapped by the heroic team were given to the local community as part of Jewson’s partnership with charity Barnardo’s.

Most people wrapping presents simultaneously

It was the second successful Guinness World Records attempt for the talented team at Jewson, having broken the record for Largest gathering of people wearing Christmas jumpers during its staff conference back in 2015. 

The present wrapping attempt was organised by agency A&I Group and Event Director Zara Gregory believes that the sense of fun, tension and achievement around the record attempt was key to its success.

“The amazing feeling of accomplishment really brought people together. There was a real sense of pride which was humbling,” says Zara. 

Building a record-breaking team

For Jewson chief executive Mark Rayfield, uniting the team members was paramount, along with the need to energise people after a ‘gruelling’ two-day conference and to give them a challenge that would really test their skills. 

Mark explains: “This world record attempt required great team work and co-ordination to ensure the presents were wrapped and judged by the Guinness World Records adjudicator as having met the standard required. The team had to come together to work as one seamless unit across each table. Knowing that the presents were to going to the local community gave the whole team an extra shot of energy and purpose.”

Jewson 2016

The event was full of memorable moments, but for Mark one stands out in particular.

“Holding up the certificate at the end of the event, with the whole team around us and everyone being full of Christmas spirit really made the event for me. And having it included in the 2018 book really is so exciting. I grew up with Guinness World Records and remember reading the book each year as a child. To have something that our team achieved being listed in the book is just brilliant.”

Pave the way for your team into the record books

The Engage Programme is built around ordinary people who do extraordinary things. Authenticity, passion and integrity and, above all, celebration are the cornerstones of our staff engagement events. 
Whether you want to energise your audience, build teams or unite everyone behind a common cause like Jewson, contact Alan Southgate on alan.southgate@guinnessworldrecords.com or +44 (0)20 7891 4517 to find out more.
“After breaking the record, everybody was riding the wave, but now seeing it print makes it all real. It’s one thing seeing the framed certificate, but to see it actually in print and to be able to say ‘we did that’ is incredible,” said Andy Hirst, Category Manager, Jewson.


Could a Guinness World Records attempt enhance your employee engagement event or conference? Visit our Business Solutions section to find out more about our unique team-building and celebration activities, or talk to our employee engagement team today.