Chief Exec wins HR Award
30 January 2008
Simon Rennie MBE, Chief Executive, has received an award from the Institute of Directors for HR & Employment Initiatives.
When Simon joined the Central Scotland Forest Trust as Chief Executive in 2001, the charity was in difficulties. He quickly identified investment in people as the critical requirement to turn the organisation around and, using teamwork, has stabilised turnover and raised emplovee satisfaction. After consultation with staff to assertain their needs and ideas, a new working culture and work‑life balance is now embedded throughout the organisation. In addition to flexible working patterns, other benefits introduced include a bed in a meeting room for tired staff and a basketball hoop.
"We're absolutely delighted to be recognised with this honour as it demonstrates our continuing commitment to our most important asset‑our staff," says Rennie. "The Central Scotland Forest Trust is a small organisation that likes to think big and we have to be creative in what we offer to attract and retain top quality staff. For us, offering a better work‑life balance has a demonstrable business gain," he says. "It costs the Trust virtually nothing to be flexible, yet the returns are highly tangible in terms of staff satisfaction, productivity and retention. We want to be a place where people want to come and work."
