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She explains: “The whole leadership
team worked hard to ensure that
communication was honest with
realistic expectations of what the
changes meant to the company. I also
encouraged employees to come to me
with any questions outwith a group
environment and it helped to mitigate
any of the concerns. No-one left as a
result of the change, and that was a
clear indicator for me that the culture
here absolutely works.”
In the current climate, Cheryl believes
even moreso that “HR has to look at
the value it generates for the company
and the individual – how to ensure
the organisation continues to develop
people but in an efficient way. For
example, using the knowledge and
expertise of peers and colleagues
within the business through
on-the-job mentoring, internal
lunch and learns, and a culture that
encourages innovation and open
discussive communication. The
internal ACT Scheme also allows
us to bring our engineers to
chartership several years faster than
conventional methods.”
Forward thinking
Ingen’s approach means that, despite
being a small company, it is playing
its part to inspire young people who
are contemplating the industry as a
career option.
The company promotes chemical
engineering – its core discipline –
through school work experience and
undergraduate summer and industrial
placement programmes.
“We look to ensure continuity
through our undergraduate placement
programmes, with the same people
coming through the process
and ready to join us with a good
knowledge of the business
and the wider industry,”
explains Cheryl.
“It’s all about repopulating the industry
by sharing the experiences and
knowledge we have within the company,”
she says. “We genuinely feel scale
shouldn’t be a barrier – small companies
like Ingen can make a big contribution.”
Cheryl hopes her own experience to
date – as a young mum who has an
enjoyable and successful full-time career
while maintaining a healthy work-life
balance – will encourage other women
to follow suit.
“I also hope it encourages my boys, as
they grow up, to take on board the
value of working alongside strong and
inspiring women in their own careers.”
“
It’s all about repopulating the industry by
sharing the experiences and knowledge we have
within the company. We genuinely feel scale
shouldn’t be a barrier – small companies like Ingen
can make a big contribution.
”
Ingen Ideas was twice shortlisted in 2014 for Oil & Gas UK Awards
in the Investment in People and Mentor of the Year categories.
Most recently, the company was the first small company globally
to receive the Institution of Chemical Engineers’ Gold Corporate
Partner Award in recognition of its training and development
programme and dedication to chemical engineering
www.ingen-ideas.comHR MANAGER
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