Lakehouse Contracts ltd

TRADITIONAL EAST END family values are the secret to construction company Lakehouse's employee engagement, according to its chief executive Steve Rawlings. The Romford-based firm was started by Rawlings in a bedroom of his home in 1988. "I had my best friend, sister and brother-in-law working for me then and they are still here," he says. "It started from nothing and the turnover is now £100m, and if people who join the company are good, they can go the whole way." Employees say that opportunities to learn and grow within the organisation are not limited, a 63% positive score, agree that they can make a valuable contribution to its success (81%, and a top 20 result), and believe that Rawlings is an inspiring leader (73%). Staff are excited about the direction the firm is taking (79%) and feel Rawlings runs the company based on sound moral principles (77%). They have a great deal of faith in him too (80%). Business systems manager Jo Roast joined the firm five years ago and has a daughter of 16 months. She is pleased to be able to balance motherhood with progressing her career, thanks to flexible working policies. "I'm determined that by the time my daughter is in school I'll be a few levels up so I do three flexible days in the office and two at home, which I can work over the weekend," Roast says. "I think I would find it difficult to get that deal somewhere else." Employees say the experience they gain through their work will be valuable in the future, a 73% positive score, and agree they are not bored (74%). They believe their jobs are good for personal growth (77%). Another 77% positive score shows that what they do is an important part of the workforce's lives, and they feel they can make a difference within the business (80%). Ken Power, director for organisational development, says Rawlings is the key to the firm's success because he is aware you can only get things done by engaging staff. "They have to share the mission, trust you and believe that their opinion makes a difference," Power says. "If you get it right, people will follow you anywhere." www.lakehouse.uk.com