Wilson James, the leading provider of specialist security, construction logistics and aviation services, has been announced as winner of the prestigious Inspiration in HR Award at the Security & Fire Excellence Awards 2020. The Inspiration in HR Award acknowledges the outstanding work of human resources teams and recognises those who make a significant impact within the businesses they serve.

Known as the ‘security industry Oscars’, the Security & Fire Excellence Awards are supported by IFSEC and FIREX, and judged by a panel of independent experts from all areas of the fire and security sector including end users, academics and the police. Due to the current lockdown, this year’s virtual event was hosted by television presenter, Stephen Mulhern, with people from across the industry going online to celebrate all that’s good about it.

Wilson James’ winning entry focused on its efforts to ensure the wellbeing of its 5,000+ employees during the coronavirus pandemic and how it dealt with the unique challenges the situation presented. Its HR team worked closely with the company’s learning, communications and operational departments to devise and implement a range of initiatives to help maintain high levels of mental and physical health and, just as importantly, recognise and react when people are struggling.

The Keeping Well initiative comprises a series of video and print resources –configured in association with Mind – covering subjects such as working from home, keeping active and healthy, eating well, avoiding fake news and conspiracy theories, and managing stress and anxiety. It provides practical tips about how to manage mental health and remain positive by taking part in activities such as yoga, meditation, online volunteering or getting creative through art, gardening and cooking. Designed to benefit everyone, regardless of active duty/furlough status, and inclusive of diverse needs, this library of resources is housed on Wilson James’ proprietary learning platform, the WJ Hub, which has seen a 51 per cent increase in traffic since March.

Communication and engagement with employees is vital, so Wilson James introduced weekly Keeping Well webinars on a range of wellbeing related topics. In addition, the hub hosts Wellness Wednesdays and Fun Fridays including events for children and resources for home-schooling parents, and also partnered with The Wellbeing Project to deliver personalised resilience training to 400 managers across the organisation. Keeping Well has been embraced throughout the company, with senior management regularly sending out electronic newsletters and hosting online Q&As and town hall meetings, while managers have kept in regular contact with team members to tell them what’s happening across the organisation.

Keeping Well was financed internally and by diversifying its delivery systems and platforms Wilson James has successfully supplied staff resources across all service lines, empowered managers to cope with the needs of their teams and created values-led engagement during a period of crisis. The benefits have been extraordinary and have included improved industrial relations and client confidence.

After Wilson James was named winner of the Inspiration in HR Award, Rosa Osman, the company’s learning and development manager, commented, ‘On behalf of everyone who helped to get Keeping Well up and running, I’m delighted that our efforts have been recognised in this way. Our aim in developing this ambitious wellbeing programme was to support our people during these challenging times and deliver multiple initiatives that can have a positive impact on them and their families. Wellbeing is fully embedded into the Wilson James ethos and, as well as being good for business, it is simply the right thing to do.’

For further information please contact: 

Cadence Woodland, E:  Cadence.Woodland@wilsonjames.co.uk, or visit www.wilsonjames.co.uk

Wilson James is delighted to celebrate BuildForce’s attainment of a Silver Award in the Armed Forces Covenant Employers Recognition Scheme, alongside 37 other London-based employers announced today.

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly. The covenant focuses on helping members of the armed forces community to have the same access to government and commercial services and products as any other citizen. This support is provided in a number of areas including education and wellbeing, access to healthcare, financial assistance and starting a new career.

Wilson James is a proud, founding member of the BuildForce Alliance which seeks to provide career opportunities for service leavers in the construction and logistics industries.

Angela Forbes, Commercial Director at Lendlease and BuildForce Chair said: “BuildForce is incredibly proud to support our Armed Forces. Being awarded silver on the Employer Recognition Scheme is possible because of the amazing talent of our Service Leavers, Reservists and Veterans.”

Nick Channer, Chief of Staff at Wilson James said: “BuildForce plays an outstanding role in linking the skills and experience of armed forces personnel with the many diverse and rewarding opportunities in the construction sector. At Wilson James, we are proud to be co-founders and supporters of Buildforce, and I personally came to the sector through BuildForce – so we are all delighted to see their contribution recognised by this Silver award.”