Our People
We thrive on the diversity of our workforce, and actively work to retain people who not only achieve results but embrace and demonstrate the culture of the Company. Here are some examples:
John Oduegwu – “After completing my degree in quantity surveying I joined Inspace as a graduate trainee surveyor on a two year training programme. I have now progressed to become an assistant surveyor. I am currently working on a 24 unit mixed tenure scheme in London, which is worth just under £4 million.
I joined Inspace because they offered me a very well structured training programme and a clear opportunity to progress within the company. This could be seen with the amount of directors and managers within the company that have progressed through the training programme, so it was proven to me that it worked and that I had that same opportunity.
As a trainee I attended a number of Inspace team building events where we did activities such as orienteering and abseiling. Inspace also hold a very prestigious annual event called 'Trainee of the Year' which is attended by our Group Chief Executive and Managing Directors, where in 2007 I had the privilege of being nominated as candidate. So as much as we work hard at Inspace, we play hard and are rewarded for our effort.
I would have to say that the Inspace training programme is second to none and as an ambitious person, Inspace have helped me to hone my skills and abilities - which not only benefits them as a company but also helps me to reach my goals.”
Richard Perry – When we win a responsive repairs contract under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings [Protection of Employment] Regulations) we have a legal responsibility to take on the employees currently working on that contract. Our priority is to help the transferring employees understand our business, meet their new colleagues and help settle them into our organisation and culture.
Richard was transferred to Inspace from Barnsley Council in 2002 when we took over responsibility for maintaining the housing stock. He was initially anxious about the change but recognises that his progress since has been due to the training opportunities offered by Inspace, such as the Foundations of Management programme. Richard Perry is now Project Supervisor for gas installations at our Barnsley branch with responsibility for 15 engineers.
“Looking back, I don’t think I would have had the same opportunity to develop my skills at the council. Inspace encouraged me at every step and now I can see that, with the business growing, more opportunities will come my way. I’m determined to make full use of the chance to get more qualifications and continue to progress at Barnsley.”
Justine Fancy – Commercial Director for Inspace Partnerships. During Justine’s progression from Assistant Surveyor, 11 years ago, to her current position as Commercial Director for Inspace Partnerships' maintenance and stock reinvestment arm, Justine has benefited from the Management Development programmes, which focus on improving technical skills, as well as ensuring participants understand how they operate as a person and the effect they have on others in the team.
“Training is essential for everyone’s development and it is high up the agenda for us as a business. Balancing my work commitments with bringing up two young children continues to be a challenge which only works through the flexibility of both parties.”
Jim Harmer – Valuing people means we like to hang on to them. Jim started in the business as a design and build co-ordinator in 1990. He went on to work as a quality manager in road and drain adoptions, archiving, investigating latent defects and even researching the potential threat of the ‘Millennium 2000 Bug’.
We help employees like Jim adapt to retirement by offering them the chance to wind down gradually and work part-time. It also makes sense for us: we can use the time to make sure we retain all that knowledge and experience in the business.
“I enjoy my reputation as the man who knows, but I am also looking forward to my retirement. And why not...”
