Rai and Rai General Builders of Whittlesey with true employee focus scoops Employer of the Year Award

A company that gives deaf people an opportunity to work in an industry that is not always open to them was a winner at the Fenland Citizen Business Awards 2025.

Rai and Rai General Builders Ltd of Whittlesey was named Employer of the Year, beating off tough competition from fellow category finalist Pure Heart Homecare Ltd of Wisbech.

Category judge Wendy Smith from Nestle Purina, which sponsored the award, described the challenge she had in choosing a winner between the two finalists when she was called upon to present the prize at Friday night’s awards ceremony at the Braza Club in March.

She told the 200-plus audience that in the end, it came down to focusing on the name of the award, with the winners Rai and Rai General Builders showing that they put their focus on their employees rather than on profit, which she said was not usually the case when it comes to businesses.

Rai Epners and his partner Raivis Tidemanis are both deaf, they have been friends since they were teenagers when they played basketball together.

Rai speaking moments after collecting the award through a sign language interpreter said they have 12 employees – six of them are deaf.

The company was set up in 2019 to give an opportunity to deaf people, who have the same skills as those with hearing but don’t always have the same chances to use them.

They started the firm as a general builder but now also focus on kitchen and bathroom design and fitting.

Rai said they were thrilled to have won the award and said it showed they were doing things the right way for their employees.

“It really means a lot to us to win this award, as we set up the company to help people like ourselves to work in an industry that is not always open to people with disabilities,” he said.