As shareholders, employees can formally hold the board to account annually but they are now being given the opportunity to help shape the business at a strategic level. Staff brought several initiatives to the table at the latest board meeting and impressed with their analysis of company performance and contributions.
Helen Bass, HR director (pictured) said, 'This initiative deepens the level of understanding about each person's role in the company. By bringing more staff in at the very earliest stages of decison-making, policies become more workable in the field and business objectives can be successfully met.'
Samantha Britt, who joined Childbase as a modern apprentice four years ago, says the meeting gave her a better understanding of how the company is run. 'For example, it makes more sense when we talk about efficiency and using our resources thoughtfully to see the figures,' she said.
In the future, staff representatives will attend two of the four annual board meetings. The 40-strong chain currently employs 1,280 people and has 14 nurseries graded as outstanding.
