When BJF was founded in 2007, culture wasn’t something anyone had to think about, it was simply there.
Back then we were a small mechanical and electrical firm, a handful of specialists helping main contractors get the job done. Everyone knew everyone, and the values we cared about didn’t need explaining.
Nearly two decades later, that handful has become more than 300 people across five divisions, working in some of the most complex, secure and operationally critical environments in the UK.
When you’re small, staying connected happens naturally, but with more than 300 team members spread across five divisions and the country, keeping our company connected requires a more conscious effort.
That’s why looking after our culture from the ground up is something we’ve chosen to manage with intention, by creating our Culture & Values Champions.
The idea and the person behind it…
So what does that look like in practice? For BJF, it started with Julia Rutledge, our People & Talent Director.
“At BJF, our culture has always been one of our greatest strengths,” Julia explains. “As we’ve continued to grow and evolve, we wanted to create a way of giving colleagues an even stronger voice in shaping and championing the behaviours and values that define who we are.”
That idea became the Culture & Values Champions. The concept is simple, a small group of volunteers from different parts of BJF will listen to colleagues, share their ideas and feedback, and help strengthen communication across the business. They’ll also champion our TEAMS values in the way they work every day. Trust, Excellence, Agility, Motivation and Safety. The things that, put simply, make us, us.
The Champions will meet every quarter to share what they’re hearing from colleagues, spot where things could be better, support engagement and wellbeing efforts, and celebrate the good work happening across BJF. This will ensure people feel heard, wherever they sit and whatever they do.
Which raises the obvious question…
Who are our champions?
Our Culture & Values Champions come from different geographical areas. Rosie Williamson represents FM, Jake Lambeth represents FM Southeast, Chloe Newton represents Projects North and Kirk Tranah represents Projects Southeast.
They each volunteered for the role, but their reasons for getting involved are personal to them.
Rosie has worked at BJF for four years and is part of our FM team as Contract Support. For her, becoming a Champion was about making sure the people around her have a voice and receive recognition for the work they do.
“I wanted the opportunity to represent my division, make sure colleagues’ voices are heard, and get more involved in shaping and promoting a positive culture across the organisation. I also hope to help colleagues feel more noticed, valued, and recognised for the contribution they make to the business.”
Chloe Newton has been with BJF for more than seven years and is now a Project Manager. During that time, she has seen the role that teamwork, communication and supporting one another have played as the business has grown.
“I wanted to take the opportunity to help strengthen our culture, encourage collaboration across teams and ensure our values are reflected in the way we work every day.”
For Jake Lambeth, a Contracts Supervisor who has been with BJF for three years, applying to become a Champion felt like a natural fit.
“It is something I truly believe in and I want everyone in the business to believe in our culture and be happy in their work.”
Kirk Tranah is a Site Manager and has been with BJF for two years. He volunteered to become a Champion to strengthen communication within the teams he works with.
“I want to help create the best possible experience for both our team and our customers. I’m passionate about promoting a positive, supportive and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and able to do their best.”
Together, Rosie, Chloe, Jake and Kirk form our first Champion network, providing a point of contact for colleagues across different parts of BJF.
These Champions are there to hear what colleagues have to say, bring different views into the conversation and make sure good ideas don’t stay within one team, office or project.
What happens next?
The first Culture & Values Champions meeting took place in July, bringing the group together to discuss their role, what they want to achieve and how they can best represent colleagues across BJF.
From here, the Champions will meet every quarter, bringing feedback and ideas from their teams into the conversation and looking at where things could be improved. They’ll also support future engagement, wellbeing and culture activities, while sharing and celebrating the things that are already working well.
For Julia, the next 12 months are about making those connections stronger.
“We want our Champions to act as a bridge between colleagues and leadership, helping us better understand what’s working well and where we can continue to improve.”
The network will develop as the Champions settle into their roles and more colleagues begin to engage with them. The aim is simple, for people across BJF to know who their Champion is, feel comfortable talking to them and know that their ideas and feedback have somewhere to go.
And as BJF continues to grow, our culture will grow with it. The difference now is that more of our people will have a direct hand in shaping what that looks like.