Culture & People

Chessmann is dedicated to the development of people, the team’s enjoyment of the role they perform and the appreciation of the contribution that they make to the company. We are also committed to providing the right environment for personal and professional progression.
 
The Directors encourage open communication, and a “blame free” culture based on continuous improvement, which in turn facilitates the highest possible levels of client service.

Commitment to Leadership & Management

In our tenth year we felt that it was an opportune time to demonstrate our dedicated approach to team development and business improvement by committing to the Investors in People Leadership & Management model. The model will assist Chessmann in ensuring that effective training and development is being carried out at all levels to enhance the skills of the team. This is an excellent way of facilitating continuous innovation through management skills for all of the Chessmann team, so that we are constantly focused on aiming to provide the best service levels possible to our clients.
 
Please contact us for more information about Investors in People, and the Leadership and Management model, or for a discussion about our experiences with these initiatives.

 
Training & Development Statement

Chessmann actively promote lifelong learning and constant enrichment of our team’s knowledge.
 
We recognise that training is an integral part of the journey to the achievement of our Company objectives, and inextricably linked to client service.
 
Continuous development actions take place for the team. Chessmann will also assess it’s investment in training to ensure that the most appropriate training/development method is being used, in order to effectively resolve training needs.
 
Appraisals/Performance Reviews are held formally on an annual basis, with informal evaluation taking place constantly.
 
Training and development is offered to all team members, in line with our Equal Opportunities Policy, and is in no way restricted in it’s offering by job role, race, gender, age, hours worked or disability.

 
Equal Opportunities Statement

 
Chessmann aims to provide a supportive environment where everyone is treated with respect, courtesy and dignity.
 
Job candidates, clients, employees or anyone that Chessmann and it’s team members interact with will not receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of sex, sexual orientation, marital status, race, age, religion, nationality, disability or ethnic origin, or any other circumstance which cannot be justified.
 
The Directors of Chessmann recognise that promoting equality and valuing diversity will provide the foundations of good equal opportunities practice.
 
It is also the Company’s policy to be an equal opportunities employer and the Company therefore opposes all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination on the grounds of an employee or potential employee’s colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.
 
The basis of this policy is to ensure that individuals are treated equally and fairly regarding decisions about recruitment, selection, retention, training, promotion, grievances, disciplinary, dismissal and career development.
 
Chessmann acknowledges that discrimination within the work place causes stress and diminishes the morale of the team. The Company is committed to ensuring that employees can work in an atmosphere free from discrimination, harassment, bullying and intimidation on any grounds.
 
All team members are bound by our Equal Opportunities Policy, and the Policy is monitored and evaluated on a regular basis.

 
Team – unique experiences

Mark Made Move to Membership of RICS

Mark Davison, Senior Quantity Surveyor at Chessmann, was recruited whilst he was working in an interim role at a double glazing company, a field where you may not necessarily identify as one to target for the recruitment of Quantity Surveyors.
 
Mark, whose career first started as a Materials’ Technician, first became interested after discussing the work that the role involves with a Quantity Surveyor, sparking his interest in the profession.
 
After spending time in Hong Kong, Mark made the decision to return to the UK and start an HND in Building Studies, which he successfully completed.
 
The vacancy arose at Chessmann, and with Mark’s commitment to his professional development and client service, which tied in so well with Chessmann’s ethos, Mark joined the company and worked towards his goal of gaining Chartered Surveyors status, by attaining his degree on day release basis fully supported and financed by Chessmann, and achieving his Assessment of Professional Competence.
 
Now a full member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, Mark has never regretted his decision to join Chessmann, and says that he enjoys the role, the challenges that it presents, and the opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects, from residential care homes to mental rehabilitation centres, all centred around the provision of excellent service to clients.
 

Assessing Career Brings Degree of Change

Magnus Petts first thought about a change in career when working in sales at an electrical firm. For a period of time he joined his wife as a co-director of a marketing business, before realising that he wanted to explore the route to becoming a Chartered Surveyor.
 
Literally by chance, going through a directory, Magnus spoke to Chessmann. In line with Chessmann’s commitment to promoting the profession, Magnus was invited along to meet with the team and spend some time experiencing first hand what the role might entail.
 
Chessmann proposed that Magnus pursue his goal of attaining his degree and work one day a week as a team member in the office allowing him gain experience and study full time at University.
 
After the first year Magnus made a decision that he wanted to study part time, working four days a week with one day’s release to study. This was backed and supported by Chessmann, and Magnus not only achieved his degree, but also won the Builders Group Plc prize in his final year for consistent high quality throughout the degree period.
 
Magnus is currently studying for his Assessment of Professional Competence, again with Chessmann’s financial support and encouragement.
 
Magnus said that this is just one of the ways in which Chessmann’s commitment to providing opportunities for people to progress with the Company is evidenced. He has not only been given the chance to study, but also to work in a team committed to providing a high level of client service, and contribute to strengthening Chessmann’s reputation as a specialist provider to the healthcare sector.