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At Suttons International, we are deeply committed to developing our people and creating a culture where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Talent development and career progression are at the core of our approach to fostering excellence. Through our talent management programme and succession planning framework, we aim to identify and address skills gaps early, ensuring our team is equipped to meet future challenges. It is our goal to help everyone become the best they can be.
These programmes reflect our core values, which guide how we achieve our goals and how we work together. We believe in holding each other accountable to these values, creating an environment where open, honest conversations about development and behaviours are encouraged. By focusing not just on what we achieve, but on how we achieve it, we build a culture that supports growth and collaboration.
Our commitment to investing in people has had a clear impact. Over the past year, our retention rate has improved significantly, rising to over 90%. Employee engagement remains high at 85%, and a recent pulse survey showed a 14% increase in colleagues feeling their career aspirations are being met. These results highlight the value of providing meaningful opportunities for development and career progression.
One of the ways we support this is through performance conversations, where employees are encouraged to seek feedback, assess their progress, and discuss their future aspirations. Last year, we introduced a new benefit allowing colleagues to apply for company sponsorship for professional qualifications relevant to their career. This initiative has been well received and demonstrates our commitment to helping our people achieve their goals.
At Suttons, developing a culture of excellence requires more than opportunities for promotion. Line managers play a vital role in understanding their teams’ potential and creating tailored development plans. Taking a global view of our talent pool enables us to accelerate development and identify opportunities across our business. High-potential employees are also paired with mentors from the Senior Leadership Team, providing exposure to new perspectives and fostering professional growth. The mentoring programme has been particularly well received, offering colleagues invaluable support and guidance.
We measure the success of our development initiatives through key metrics such as retention rates, engagement scores, and the progress of individual development plans. Since the start of 2024, we have internally promoted 13 people, demonstrating to our employees that their contributions are recognised and that there are clear pathways for career progression. Regular discussions at a senior level ensure these plans stay on track and that any barriers to success are promptly addressed.
We are constantly looking to evolve and enhance our approach. For example, we have introduced a skills gap analysis for potential successors to senior management roles, enabling us to prepare for the future and address emerging skill requirements. Importantly, we recognise that not everyone aspires to leadership roles, and that is perfectly fine. Every person in our business deserves a development plan, whether they aim to progress into new positions or simply want to excel in their current role.
One example of the success of our progression schemes is Adam Bamber, who joined Suttons International as a Procurement Apprentice in 2021. With the company’s support, Adam is on track to complete his CIPS Level 3 qualification this year, and he was promoted to Procurement Officer earlier in 2024. His journey illustrates how, by unlocking the right opportunities for the right talent, we can help our people achieve their potential. Adam’s success is the result of a clear development plan, guidance from his manager, and support from a mentor.
At Suttons, we believe that every employee has potential, and it is our job to help them realise it. By investing in training, mentoring, and clear career pathways, we are building not only better leaders but a better business. Our goal is to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, motivated, and equipped to achieve their full potential, both now and in the future.