Singapore, July 6, 2007 McDonald’s people-oriented focus and leadership commitment to people development have garnered the company yet more awards. Listed amongst the top 5 Best Employers in Singapore 2007 conducted by global human resources services firm Hewitt Associates in April this year, McDonald’s was conferred two awards at The Singapore HR Awards 2007 organised by the Singapore Human Resources Institute (SHRI) – the Corporate Award and the Leading CEO Award for its Managing Director, Kenneth Chan.

In conferring the Leading CEO Award, the SHRI cited Kenneth Chan’s pivotal role in the success of McDonald’s talent and retention programmes as well as being a champion and supporter of HR initiatives that helped improve employee commitment and engagement.

A strong HR advocate, Kenneth Chan’s leadership has helped strengthen in particular the following initiatives:

• Building a deep management bench of talent
• Building a strong internal and external pool of talent base
• Engaging the workforce
• Creating a FUN and energized work environment

“McDonald’s has always been a PEOPLE COMPANY. In all our business initiatives, those that touch on people and welfare-readiness are top of the company agenda. Kenneth is a strong supporter of strategic HR initiatives focused on opportunities for talent recognition, retention and development; and is instrumental in having created a corporate environment where people feel energised and proudly give their best. Our commitment survey scores have been at its highest since Kenneth became Managing Director in 2004. We are all very proud that he has been conferred the Leading CEO Award," said Ms Eunice Lee, Director of Human Resource and Development, McDonald’s Restaurants.

In according the Corporate Award to McDonald’s, the SHRI cited the company’s outstanding leadership across all aspects of HR. The following in particular were cited:

• Learning & Development
• Strategic HR
• Talent & Succession Planning
• Compensation and Reward Management
• Performance Management
• Employee Relations, including enthusiasm programmes
• Age Friendly Practices
• Employee Health & Wellness
• HR Communications
• Manpower Planning

“We believe in building people pride and in putting our people first. Our people philosophy has always been consistent: we believe the company can grow only if we provide opportunities for our employees to grow, contribute and feel pride in working for McDonald's. We are honoured to be recognised yet again for our HR excellence, this time through the HR Corporate Award. Indeed, this award is a celebration of our people’s passion and pride," said Kenneth Chan, Managing Director, McDonald’s Restaurants.

Since its first restaurant opening in Singapore in 1979, McDonald’s continues to be steadfast in its commitment to training and developing its employees. The company goes beyond offering career opportunities to also ensuring lifetime employability. For example, in 2004, McDonald’s took the leadership initiative to launch the University Accredited Programme (UAP), offering employees a second shot at continuing their education.

The company also takes pride in providing the best service training in the industry and this is continually affirmed by the national Excellent Service Awards (EXSA) accorded annually. Indeed, over the last three years, McDonald’s Restaurant Managers have consecutively won the national SUPER STAR EXSA award.