Officially a Very Good
Company to Work For
Officially a Very Good
Company to Work For
Officially an Outstanding
Company to Work For
Officially an Outstanding
Company to Work For
Officially a World Class
Company to Work For
Officially a World Class
Company to Work For
Officially a Good
Company to Work For
Officially a Good
Company to Work For
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Hobbycraft Group UK celebrates ‘make do and mend' but it recognises, too, that as it grows it can use its buying power to drive positive change. Founded in 1995 and now the nation's largest arts and crafts retailer, the group has over 90 stores. It is committed to becoming more sustainable, all the while focusing on colleague wellbeing, its store communities, and doing what is right with integrity and transparency.
Creative and knowledgeable Hobbycraft store colleagues advise customers on art, knitting and crochet, haberdashery, papercraft, baking, and jewellery-making. Hobbies such as this have surely helped ease lockdown – with the stores' wedding and party sectors likely to rock as soon as socialising becomes legal again.
Based in Christchurch, Dorset, 72% of Hobbycraft suppliers are British and all international factories have a sustainability ESG (environmental, social and governance) audit every two years. The company has committed to 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging by end of 2022 – this includes biodegradable glitter. Zero tonnes of store waste went to landfill in the last accounting period and all new stores use 60% less energy.
In the first lockdown, CEO, Dominic Jordan, and Retail and People Director, Chris Fenlon, based themselves in the e-commerce and distribution centre and colleagues were very pleased to see senior leaders working alongside them. Throughout each shutdown Hobbycraft created fortnightly newsletters for everyone with information about the business and performance, plus news about crafts, birthdays, group charity work and a quiz or mental health activity suitable for everyone to enjoy.
I have confidence in the leadership skills of the senior management team
No one was made redundant during the pandemic. Indeed, pay for e-commerce and distribution centre colleagues was lifted, in recognition of both the increase in workload and dedication to the business. Hobbycraft established Teams technology to ensure everyone working remotely had the best possible communication tools available.
I love working for this organisation
An in-house Great Managers campaign highlighted three things employees felt had been done best. These were communication – answering questions in a timely manner and having clear guidance; the supply and quality of PPE provided; and ensuring all colleagues paid by the hour received full pay throughout the lockdowns.
I feel I receive fair pay for the responsibilities I have in my job
Hobbycraft staff craft a good career for themselves, too. An artisan programme has grown from 11 colleagues in 2019 to 30 in 2020, with artisans helping to develop products for stores. All profits go directly to the artisan and the target by the end of 2021 is to have 100 artisan colleagues.
Chris Fenlon, Retail & People Director - Hobbycraft
If you like what you see and are interested in exploring any opportunities, please visit the organisation's careers page for more information.
