Many people at our properties around the United Kingdom offer their time and skills to support initiatives in their local areas.
Members of the management team at Eastgate Shopping Centre in Basildon are all actively involved in community work. In 2006 more than 80% of Eastgate employees participated in charitable events, receiving paid time off to do so. In one initiative AS Level Business Management students from Beauchamps High School worked with Eastgate managers on marketing proposals. This was so successful that it is now a permanent part of the Beauchamps Business Management syllabus.
Executives at British Land subsidiary, Broadgate Estates, supported the Runnymede Trust in preparing for and managing an office move. This local research trust acts as a bridge-builder between various minority ethnic communities and policy makers. The Trust particularly valued the Broadgate team’s support in:
- Handling facilities management issues for the new building
- Archiving records
- Updating health and safety policies and practices.
Management at Meadowhall Shopping Centre in Sheffield joined in with ‘Back to the Shop Floor’, to raise money for the Marie Curie charity. They exchanged their usual office based roles for ones on the shop floor. Mohammed Dajani, Centre Director, spent time with the customer service team. Ann Cadman, Human Resources Director, spent time with the landscaping team. Andy Ward, Gym Manager at The Source, swapped his weights for marigold gloves, washing pots and waiting on tables in Café Moda.
Ten Meadowhall employees also provided reading support through ‘Right to Read’ at Tinsley Primary School.
Six members of the Management team at Queensmere Observatory Shopping Centre in Slough cleaned and tidied a garden for an elderly resident living with a disability. They removed over 1.5 tonnes of garden waste, metal and masonry. Another team cleaned up the entrance to the Queensmere Subway. This now offers a more pleasant environment for customers walking from the train station into the Centre.
Managers at our properties continued to pass on their knowledge and expertise in a variety of roles. For example:
- Rob Fisher, Technical and Environmental Director at Broadgate, mentored the Headteacher at St John the Baptist Primary School in Hackney.
- Mike Clarke, Shopping Park Manager at Teesside, was a director of Groundwork South Tees for the fifth consecutive year.
