AG Paving and Building Products has once again achieved Level 3 following a recent independent audit of its workplace health and wellbeing activity through the Take 5 Workplace Accreditation.

The Take 5 Accreditation is built around the recognised Five Steps to Wellbeing framework, which promotes simple, everyday actions that support positive mental and physical wellbeing. These include giving time and support to others, staying active, continuing to learn, taking notice of everyday moments and building meaningful connections. The accreditation offers three levels and helps organisations embed these principles into their wellbeing strategies. At the beginning of 2026, 16 workplaces across the Northern Health & Social Care Trust area were supported to achieve the accreditation through a partnership between Business in the Community and Northern Health & Social Care Trust.

AG was one of the 16 organisations recognised at a special awards event held on 9th January 2026 at The Rabbit Hotel in Templepatrick, celebrating employers who are actively prioritising the health and wellbeing of their people.

AG’s Level 3 re-accreditation reflects a sustained programme of wellbeing, safety and community initiatives delivered throughout the year. These included Time to Read, with employees volunteering weekly in local primary schools to support children’s reading confidence, alongside financial donations to help schools invest in new learning resources. This commitment was further reinforced during Volunteer Week 2025 and Spring into Action Day.

AG colleagues also took part in Sustainable September, delivered in partnership with Business in the Community Northern Ireland, which encouraged collective action on sustainability while directing employee donations to a local hospice charity.

Physical wellbeing was promoted through Steptember, where employees tracked their steps across the month while raising funds for AG’s 2025 charity partner, Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke. Community support continued through Mission Christmas, with AG acting as a local drop-off point and delivering four van loads of donated toys from AG and neighbouring businesses.

Safety remained a key focus throughout the year, with employees completing a responsible driving course to raise awareness of road safety and the Fatal Five, delivered in conjunction with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and Business in the Community. Together, these initiatives demonstrate AG’s integrated approach to wellbeing, bringing together physical activity, mental health, safety, volunteering and community impact in a meaningful and sustained way.

AG’s Activ8 programme, launched in 2018, continues to support employee wellbeing by encouraging regular movement, connection and healthy habits across the business. Through practical activities and challenges, Activ8 helps embed the Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing in a simple and accessible way for colleagues.

The re-accreditation builds on a strong run of national and regional recognition for AG in the areas of people, culture and wellbeing. Last year, AG achieved national recognition at the Personnel Today Awards 2025, where its partners And Evolve Ltd were named winners of Best Workplace Culture Award – Small Employer and finalists for Learning and Development Award – Small Employer. This recognition highlights the positive impact of AG’s culture and leadership programme, focused on embedding values, developing leaders and strengthening workplace culture.

AG also marked another successful October Safety Month in 2025, reinforcing its commitment to keeping people safe, well and supported at work. The campaign aligned with the Go Home Safe message and reflects AG’s belief that safety, wellbeing and culture are inseparable. Building on this commitment, AG has confirmed Lighthouse as its official charity partner for 2026, supporting vital mental health and wellbeing services across the construction industry.

Further underlining this focus, AG was recently named winner of the Excellence in Workplace Health & Wellbeing Award at the Belfast Telegraph Business Awards, recognising sustained leadership and investment in employee wellbeing.

Together, these achievements reflect AG’s long-term, strategic commitment to creating a workplace where people feel safe, supported and empowered to thrive. From wellbeing and culture to safety and leadership, AG continues to invest in preventative approaches that strengthen its business while putting people at the centre of everything it does.

Commenting on the achievement, Catherine Downey, Wellbeing Programme Manager at Business in the Community, said:
“By completing the Take 5 Accreditation, these organisations are publicly demonstrating their commitment to the wellbeing of their employees in a responsible and transparent manner. The process and results allow organisations to examine and reflect on their wellbeing performance, benchmark themselves against others and drive improvements for the benefit of their people and to strengthen their business.”

Mark McArdle, COO of AG, added:
“Achieving Level 3 again is a meaningful milestone for us. It reflects the care we place on supporting the wellbeing of our people in a practical and sustained way. At AG, we want everyone to feel safe, supported and able to bring their best selves to work. This accreditation recognises the everyday actions taken across the business to create a positive, healthy working environment, and it encourages us to keep building on that foundation.”

Pictured L–R: Hugh Nelson – NHSCT, Selena Ramsey – NHSCT, Sharon Bradley – AG, Catherine Downey – BITCNI