Determined to take positives from a challenging year, The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) surveyed its employees to find out what they wanted more of – and less of – to make changes for the future. Ready, Willing and Able surveys have been used by all teams to assess plans for returning to the office in Bracknell.

Responses were overwhelmingly positive for the organisation's approach to home working and steps to make the workplace Covid-secure – explained in videos featuring the CIOB sense of humour when things didn't quite go to plan. As the world's largest and most influential professional body for construction management and leadership, the institute encourages and supports its own staff to gain relevant qualifications.

Established in 1834, the CIOB holds a Royal Charter to promote the science and practice of building and construction. It accredits university degrees, educational courses and training and its professional and vocational qualifications are a mark of the highest levels of competence, providing assurance to clients. The leadership team have held regular virtual Q&A sessions and used innovative ways to communicate to ensure everyone feels part of the team.

As well as running year-round e-learning courses and coaching activities, the CIOB has launched a flagship learning and development programme, Leading and Inspiring Excellence. The behaviour-based programme helps people to connect with each other, understand different ways of working and use them to collective advantage.