{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","contentId":"00000162-d52e-d1ef-ad6b-d57eac0f0003","url":"https://www.aboutamazon.co.uk/news/working-at-amazon/i-found-the-right-place","headline":"How Amazon's 'I Found The Right Place' programme celebrates some of the most passionate UK employees","description":"Amazon celebrates its diverse UK workforce by rewarding compelling employee stories with an all-expenses-paid trip to Seattle.","datePublished":"2018-04-17T20:01:08.936Z","dateModified":"2025-08-05T09:53:03.748Z","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"About Amazon Staff"}],"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/2e35cf0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2112x1408+194+0/resize/300x200!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2Fef%2Fbd%2F57a1c74742bd9834c4c2624994be%2Fkindle-36.png","width":"300","height":"200"},"articleBody":"![Three photos of Amazon employees in casual wear, smiling in front of greenery](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/2e35cf0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2112x1408+194+0/resize/300x200!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2Fef%2Fbd%2F57a1c74742bd9834c4c2624994be%2Fkindle-36.png)\n\n# How Amazon's 'I Found The Right Place' programme celebrates some of the most passionate UK employees\n\n*By sharing what they love about working at Amazon, employees can take part in a trip of a lifetime to Seattle and visit the company’s global headquarters.*\n\nHave you ever wondered what makes Amazon [one of the UK's most sought-after employers](https://www.aboutamazon.co.uk/news/working-at-amazon/top-employer-uk)? The answer lies partly in programmes like *I Found The Right Place*, which celebrates employees who are passionate about working at Amazon by offering them the chance to visit Seattle on the trip of a lifetime.\n\nThis unique recognition programme invites Amazon employees across the UK and Ireland to share their stories and experiences, with the most compelling narratives winning an unforgettable journey to Amazon's global headquarters.\n\n![Group of Amazon employees in casual wear in front of Seattle HQ](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/56b027e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1701x957+0+0/resize/767x432!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2Fc3%2F3e%2F06707c294c33ba8065986234b6e2%2Fiftrp.png)\n\n## **What is ‘I Found The Right Place'?**\n\n*I Found The Right Place* is a programme that asks Amazon employees a simple question: \"What makes Amazon the right place for you?\"\n\nThe programme invites associates to share why they love working at Amazon, with the best stories selected by a judging panel and the winners being sent on an epic trip to Amazon’s global headquarters in Seattle. It aims to showcase Amazon as a great place to work through authentic employee stories whilst highlighting the company's diverse and inclusive culture.\n\n## **What prizes are on offer?**\n\nThe 20 associates with the most compelling stories will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Seattle. This once-in-a-lifetime prize includes:\n\n- A tour of Amazon's global campus in Seattle\n- A round table conversation with senior operations leadership\n- A visit to a fulfilment centre to see [the latest Amazon technology](https://www.aboutamazon.co.uk/news/innovation/bots-by-the-numbers-facts-and-figures-about-robotics-at-amazon)\n- Iconic Seattle experiences such as the Space Needle and Pike Place Market\n\n![Amazon's Seattle HQ, with three large glass spheres housing offices and other amenities](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/a6769bc/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1701x957+0+0/resize/767x432!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2Fa6%2F91%2Ff2e78de24979af5213f234be68ca%2Fseattle-hq.png)\n\n## **Who can enter the programme?**\n\n*I Found The Right Place* is specifically open to blue badge associates working in CF (Customer fulfilment / fulfilment centres), ATS (Amazon Transportation Services), AMZL (Amazon Logistics), and WWGS (Worldwide Grocery Stores) across the UK and Ireland.\n\n![Amazon employee Diana Frunza in a safety vest while smiling outside a fulfilment centre](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/69205c3/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2700x1800+0+0/resize/300x200!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F30%2F4f%2F276915b847c6a34c569c0071a4cb%2Funp-amazon-46696-laww-ema2-diana-frunza001.jpg)\n\n- [Amazon's Career Choice: Everything you need to know about the education benefit that pre-pays up to 100% of tuition fees](https://www.aboutamazon.co.uk/news/working-at-amazon/amazon-career-choice-programme)\n\nParticipants must have worked at Amazon for a minimum of one year to be eligible.\n\n## **How to submit your entry**\n\nAssociates submit their entry either via a web form or by picking up a paper form from the reception at the site of their work, when applications are open.\n\nEntrants simply need to explain, in their own words, why they love working at Amazon and what makes it the right place for them.\n\n## **How are winners selected?**\n\nAll entries are anonymised and sent to a judging panel made up of:\n\n- Leadership representatives from CF, ATS, AMZL, and WWGS\n- HR management representatives\n- Members of the Amazon communications team\n\nThe panel selects the 20 winners based on the quality and authenticity of their stories.\n\n## **Meet some of the 2025 winners**\n\n### **Anthony Cleckner, Learning and Development Team Member**\n\n![Smiling man in a dark grey t shirt standing in front of foliage](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/b37f098/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1711x963+0+0/resize/767x432!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F57%2F92%2Fa0e215c44173b91a010d8ec48621%2Fanthony.png)\n\nLike many entrepreneurs, Anthony saw his business badly impacted by [COVID-19](https://www.aboutamazon.co.uk/news/company-news/amazons-actions-to-help-employees-communities-and-customers-affected-by-covid-19) and he made the painful decision to cease trading and search for a new role. At the time, Amazon had just opened a fulfilment centre in his native Durham, so Anthony, a father and husband, applied for a seasonal Christmas role. Five years later, he’s thriving in his role and flying to Seattle.\n\nAnthony’s appreciation for his colleagues and his willingness to support those around him—while also dealing with the tragic passing of his brother-in-law—meant the judges felt he deserved a place on the plane to Seattle.\n\n“After losing everything in lockdown, I found more than a job at Amazon. I found a supportive family that helped me heal, grow, and thrive. Five years into my Amazon career, I’m proud of my achievements and I'm grateful for a place that truly cares.”\n\n### **Bijesh Shahi, HR Team Member**\n\n![Man smiling to camera in front of foliage](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/77bbe87/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1711x963+0+0/resize/767x432!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F19%2Fff%2Fe79311b940d384fc6f7ef5e752ea%2Fcaroline-1.png)\n\nBijesh grew up in Milan but made the move to the UK with his family seven years ago, saying he was drawn to the country’s vibrant culture, diverse population, and excellent education system. \n\nBijesh saw a job advertisement for the Swindon fulfilment centre in 2017, four years before the site was due to open in 2021. He liked the idea of exploring a new opportunity, so he applied for a role as an Amazon fulfilment centre employee and has been with the company ever since. \n\nBijesh’s career journey inspired the judges to offer him a place on the trip to Seattle this summer, while his determination to support his colleagues and promote workplace diversity has even been recognised by various Amazon groups, including the company’s employee-led Black Employee Network (BEN).\n\n![Two people intently examining professional camera equipment on set](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/ccd4398/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1688x1125+156+0/resize/300x200!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2Fac%2Fdf%2F3c10d2384944a92031a83f09ab49%2Frcf-hero-2000x1125.jpg)\n\n- [£30,000 grants launched for UK charitable organisations through Amazon’s Regional Creatives Fund ](https://www.aboutamazon.co.uk/news/community/amazon-regional-creatives-fund)\n\nBijesh said: “Starting as a fulfilment centre associate, I’ve grown into an HR leader role thanks to Amazon’s support, development programmes, and inclusive culture. From driving key projects to mentoring others through [Career Choice](https://www.aboutamazon.co.uk/news/working-at-amazon/amazon-career-choice-programme), I’m proud to now help colleagues unlock the same life-changing opportunities I was given.”\n\n“One thing that really struck a chord for me in Seattle was the unity at Amazon,” Bijesh continued. “I got a real feeling that Amazon is a company that has many different people from different walks of life, and we’re all working together to achieve a shared goal.”\n\n### **Caroline Slator, Sortation Team Member**\n\n![Blonde woman with friendly smile standing in front of foliage](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/e9194cd/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1711x963+0+0/resize/767x432!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F84%2F0c%2Fae0b2b0944d3b61f92d2e94c6000%2Fcaroline.png)\n\nCaroline joined Amazon over four years ago on a temporary contract and has since become a permanent member of the team, graduating from [the Amazon Apprenticeship programme](https://www.aboutamazon.co.uk/news/working-at-amazon/apprenticeships-2025) with distinction on the supply chain apprenticeship course.\n\n![Michele Saba Operational and Departmental Management apprenticeship](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/d81b8ef/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1200x800+0+0/resize/300x200!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2Fd6%2F46%2F912bb40e4f83a320e395eba6b22f%2Funp-amazon-46411-naw-mme1-michele-saba020.JPG)\n\n- [Amazon announces 1,000 new UK apprenticeship opportunities for 2025](https://www.aboutamazon.co.uk/news/working-at-amazon/apprenticeships-2025)\n\nBefore joining Amazon, Caroline was diagnosed with a serious illness and was told she might never work again. Her incredible determination to forge a new career in difficult circumstances struck a chord with the *I Found The Right Place* judges, who awarded Caroline a place on the trip to Seattle.\n\n“Just before I joined Amazon, my doctor told me that I might not be able to work,” she said. “I don’t like to quit, so I looked for a job that could support me through my illness. That’s when I discovered Amazon. I joined the team at the delivery station in Hull as a temporary worker and quickly discovered that this company really is the right place for me.\n\n“I have thrived thanks to the incredible support, teamwork, and opportunities to grow. Amazon feels like home, where people from all walks of life come together as one family, making every day rewarding.”\n\nFind out more about the [latest news at Amazon.](https://www.aboutamazon.co.uk/news)","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"About Amazon","url":"https://www.aboutamazon.com","sameAs":["https://x.com/amazonnews","https://www.linkedin.com/company/amazon","https://www.instagram.com/amazonnews"],"logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://assets.aboutamazon.com/bd/8f/88e7b0314cc2bd05b9de3155a0fe/amazon-news.svg"},"parentOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Amazon","url":"https://www.amazon.com","sameAs":["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3884","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_(company)","https://x.com/Amazon"]}}}