Community work – CF staff helped out at the Hartlepool Baby Bank as part of Volunteers ' Week 2024 . PICTURE : THE TEESSIDE CHARITY / DOUG MOODY .
They ’ re working hard to increase underrepresentation in the business , including women in engineering roles and at different levels of seniority , while raising awareness and educating employees through their own programmes and sessions led by external partners .
General manager Martin Liddle said : “ Driven by our Inclusion Resource Group , we are evolving our site culture through meaningful dialogue , education and action , to help shape the CF of the future .”
INVESTING IN PEOPLE With employees spanning the generations , CF seamlessly blends experience with youth , mentors and mentees , with opportunities across the board to support employees at different stages of their careers .
From the early days of ICI and the opening of the Engineering Training Centre in 1957 , to CF as the current custodian , the complex has supported thousands of apprentices in 15 different trades alongside providing undergraduate placements and graduate engineering , administrative and management roles .
Today , as a high-performing organisation , they provide processes and tools to help employees take control of their careers , including performance management , CF ’ s core curriculum , Kallidus online training platform and LinkedIn Learning .
In addition , there are secondments and opportunities to collaborate and participate in projects and teams across the company , including abroad , and they are planning their second annual Leadership Conference for the autumn .
And it ’ s not just about CPD ; huge value is also placed on social interactions and shared experiences .
With the IRG focusing its efforts on four key priorities – communities , connection , career and culture – they help shape and deliver CF ’ s employee engagement programme , organising social events across the year , including a family summer social , Christmas parties and the FL Clark , their annual winter games competition , which celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2024 .
REWARD & RECOGNITION To attract and retain talent , CF offers a competitive salary , 20 days ' holiday plus Bank Holidays and an attractive benefits package .
Employees can join private medical insurance and pension schemes , there ’ s an income protection policy and various health and wellbeing initiatives and resources , including Mental Health First Aiders and access to an EAP , plus a cycle to work scheme .
Having long acknowledged and celebrated the success and contributions of its employees through external awards , the business hosted its first Annual Awards in May 2024 , recognising the employees who live and breathe their values , and go above and beyond in their role .
Senior HR business partner Jo Clapham said : “ We ’ re working really hard to create a culture where everyone feels seen , heard and valued .
“ We will always look to champion our people and celebrate success , fostering a more connected community that inspires one another .”
CF IN THE COMMUNITY Building on ICI ’ s legacy , CF is committed to supporting the local community , and focuses its efforts across four distinct pillars : environmental sustainability , STEM education and awareness , healthy food access and local community advancement .
They donate funds and resources to local charities and causes , all administered through their IRG and chosen to align with their priority areas .
For example , they continue to support Daisy Chain , a neurodiversity and autism charity , the Billingham Environmental Link Partnership ( BELP ) and the Billingham and Stockton Borough foodbank .
With the number of clients using the foodbank rising as the cost-of-living crisis deepens , a team from CF is undertaking a fundraising Coast to Coast cycle challenge this September , hoping to raise £ 10,000 that CF will match .
And it ’ s not just financial contributions , they also donate their time . Facilitated through their Volunteer Time Off ( VTO ) programme , something that ’ s available to everyone , VTO allows employees to witness firsthand the difference these organisations make within the community .
In another first , they took part in Volunteers ’ Week in June 2024 , something that they ’ ll take forward annually .
LOOKING AHEAD Having celebrated the complex ’ s 100th anniversary in 2023 , CF is embracing all its heritage and using it to help shape their future against the backdrop of everchanging market conditions and net zero opportunities .
They recognise what it takes to stay relevant , evolving to achieve their strategic ambitions and to meet needs of their people .
They ’ re proud of how they blend longservice with attracting new talent , while maintaining their reputation as a fair and supportive employer .
By putting people first , the next 100 years surely looks bright .
To discover more , visit cffertilisers . co . uk
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