intouch magazine - issue 51 October 2022

LGV

momentum

1926 – 2022

Thank you, Ma’am, thank you so much.

Following the devastating news of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, our thoughts and prayers are with her family and indeed with everyone who is mourning the profound loss of this amazing woman.

She has done her duty and served this nation selflessly for over 70 years through both good times and bad, as well as fulfilling her role as head of the Commonwealth.

This is no doubt one of the most significant events in our lifetime and we will always be grateful for everything she has done and the great example that has been set for us all. We would like to extend our very best wishes to King Charles III. Long may he reign over us.

God save the King.

The summer of 2022 has been bookended by the unbridled joy and celebrations of the Platinum Jubilee and the deeply upsetting news of the death of our gracious Queen. Since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II we have experienced a range of emotions; shock, grief, pride and hope. Watching the coverage of the hugely dignified, solemn and yet amazing pageantry along with the incredible reaction here and around the world, we have all been given an even greater appreciation of her enormous achievements and how important the role of the monarch is to the United Kingdom. This is a role I believe King Charles III will more than ably carry out in service of the nation in the years ahead.

A note from

After several difficult summers significantly disrupted by the pandemic, many of us have enjoyed a warm, dry and - more importantly - mask-free couple of months.

Although much needed, the clouds and rain have returned, meaning that many of us now have to dust off the lawn mower and try to remember where our warm clothes are!

Time stands still for nobody and, as ever, you can see in this issue that we continue to develop as a company.

Streamlining is one of the buzzwords of this issue. You can read how technology has helped enhance and streamline the company’s recruitment process (page 9) and Hills Homes’ customer care process (page 10). It is very satisfying when these developments help improve the experience both internally – recruiting managers, HR staff and Homes’ sales staff – and externally –prospective candidates and house-buying customers. A win-win!

Another theme throughout this issue is the importance of training and development, and how this is also a win-win benefitting staff and the company. This is highlighted in the Waste Division’s LGV Driver Pathway programme (pages 4-5), the new workforce learning and development programme (page 11) and even Craig’s perfect score for his safety qualification (page 14)!

Mike Hill, Chief Executive

Driver Pathway Programme offers route to success

With driver recruitment in the headlines recently, Hills’ internal LGV Driver Pathway programme is delivering benefits for both the company and its employees. The scheme, run by Waste Solutions and Municipal Collections, has seen drivers’ mates and kerbside loaders qualifying as LGV drivers.

To date, four drivers have qualified with Waste Solutions and two with Municipal Collections from the first intake. A further eight employees are at theory test stage with potentially more drivers to come.

On setting up the scheme, Pamela Hunt, Head of HR, said; “Waste Solutions were offering their crews an

ad hoc driver pathway and we have now centralised this, involving Municipal Collections. The LGV Driver Pathway programme is now offered across both of our waste-handling divisions. Potential drivers now have a clear route through selection, interview, assessments and training. We make sure the process is fair and that trainees have a full understanding of both their, and our, obligations and commitment.’’

Simon Sharland, Training Coordinator, Municipal Collections, said: “As a Class 1 driver myself, I communicate the

Inset: Nick Hale, Waste Solutions, Bristol.

Main image, left to right: Andy Richardson, Chris Robinson and Jason Payne (jnr), Waste Solutions, Lower Compton, Calne.

responsibilities all candidates face when in control of a commercial vehicle with a crew. Training takes, on average, six months allowing for licence issuing delays at DVLA.

“After an assessment and acceptance onto the programme, drivers will be subject to three theory tests and a medical followed by further assessments and a week’s intensive training before their test. Drivers get online support and training materials to help their study for theory tests.

Once a driver has passed, they receive further classroom training and two weeks’ familiarisation, where they are accompanied on their rounds by a supervisor.”

Neil Luce, Operations Manager, Waste Solutions said: “At the core of our values is a belief that our employees are our strongest asset. We take personal development seriously by providing training programmes to actively encourage our employees to develop their skills.”

STOP PRESS

As we go to press, two more drivers have also passed their LGV tests.

Congratulations to Jason Truckle in Trowbridge and Reuben Quarrier in Salisbury!

Like father, like son...

Alongside our Driver Pathway programme, father and son employees of Municipal Collections, Dave and Matt Trowell, have also passed their Class 2 licences.

Matt, a supervisor for Municipal Collections, has enjoyed being able to help the crews out on rounds occasionally, while his father Dave needed a change of licence to cover the larger vehicles he now drives.

Justin Privet, Municipal Collections, Sands Farm, Calne.

Tristan Squires, Municipal Collections, Sands Farm, Calne.

Dave Trowell

Matt Trowell

Jason Truckle, Municipal Collections,Trowbridge.

Reuben Quarrier, Municipal Collections,Salisbury.

Swindon Concrete Plant nears completion

In 2020, Quarry Products purchased two concrete plants in Swindon and Gloucester. While Gloucester was immediately operational, the Swindon plant, required extensive work and significant investment to bring it in line with Quarry Products’ operating standards.

David Horton Contractors demolished and cleared the site in July 2022 and Spec Project Ltd undertook the off-site construction of the new plant in August. Danfords Ltd are currently installing the plant with a view to opening for business in late October.

The Euromac 1670 Verona wet-batch concrete plant will be capable of producing 60m3 of materials per hour. This will the first of its type operated by Quarry Products with its compact design, rotary twin-shaft mixer and skip-fed plant.

The plant can operate 24-hours a day if required, producing all ready-mixed concretes, traditional sand and cement screeds along with liquid screed (Cemfloor).

Quarry Products will be able to deliver 8m3, 6m3 and mini mix loads from this location and also offer collections. It is hoped that, due to the location of the plant, this should establish a significant collect customer business.

Clearing the old site at Galton Way.

Demolishing the old plant.

Preparing the new site for installation.

Quarry Products takes delivery of first of five new tipper trucks

Quarry Products has acquired five brand new Volvo FMX 8x4 Tippers updating their fleet with the latest in technology available from Volvo Trucks.

Featuring the latest generation of Euro 6 engines meeting strict emission standards for the

environment, these trucks have the brand new and updated FMX Day cab offering a big improvement in driver comfort, cab refinement and safety. Features such as a larger windscreen provide better visibility, closer panel gaps provide greater efficiency and doors that open wider give easier access for the driver.

Once in the cab the driver now has a

clear view of the brand-new digital instrument cluster. The new cab is structurally more refined and quieter than ever, giving the driver an easier drive.

These new trucks will support Quarry Products’ operations –providing safe and environmentally friendly vehicles for delivering essential products to customers.

Left to Right: John Warner, Transport Manager, Quarry Products, Carl Linton-Doyle, LGV Driver, Mike Hill, CEO, Hills Group and Peter Andrew, Group Director, Quarry Products.

Quality drive-through from Quarry Products

Black concrete was recently supplied from Quarry Products’ Woodsford ready mixed concrete plant to a McDonald’s restaurant franchise in Weymouth, Dorset.

The concrete was tested multiple times before the contract was confirmed to ensure the black colour was consistent with the fast food brand’s requirements.

Terry Newsham, Commercial Business Manager, Quarry Products, said: “From the very start of this contract, many months before ground was broken on site, the contractor was very specific about their requirements, down to providing us with the exact quantities of pigment required and the stage the pigment should be added. Their knowledge proved to be invaluable. Three days of concrete pours went without a hitch and the finish achieved is top quality.”

Barry Pimble, Managing Director, Decorative Concrete Specialists Ltd said: "Having installed hundreds of drive-through lanes over the years for our clients, our team was exceptionally impressed with the level of service offered by Hills on this project."

“...our team was exceptionally impressed with the level of service offered by Hills on this project.”

Barry Pimble, Managing Director, Decorative Concrete Specialists Ltd

TALOS Recruitment Portal

Since 2021, the HR department has been busy streamlining Hills’ recruitment process through TALOS, a bespoke recruitment portal. From managers’ authorisation of vacancies, through to advertising, candidate selection, interviews and offers, TALOS allows monitoring by managers and the HR department at all stages of correspondence. Pamela Hunt, Head of HR, said: “TALOS has made recruitment far less labour-intensive and has seen an increased number of applicants who prefer the online process to paper-based applications.”

Kerry Chandler, HRIS and Payroll Lead, who has been pivotal in setting up the system, said: “Moving to TALOS has been a big step forward for Hills, allowing us to work more efficiently while enhancing the candidate’s recruitment experience. TALOS has much more to offer and we are looking forward to developing it further.”

Recruitment moves online New careers webpages

All new vacancies at Hills are advertised for a minimum period of two weeks. Employees can access these roles via a link on their individual SDWorx page, using their unique username and password, and then clicking on the section marked ‘Recruitment’.

External applicants are able to search for vacant roles, and make applications online, by going to the Hills Group website and clicking on the ‘Work for us’ tab. Recruiting managers are able to immediately see and assess any applications received and can set up interviews using the virtually paperless TALOS portal.

Left to right: Pamela Hunt, Head of HR and Kerry Chandler HRIS and Payroll Lead.

Homes’ promotional videos and 3D walkthroughs

Homes and the Communications team worked with Swindon-based design agency Red Rocket and Cheltenham-based Estate Photos to update promotional videos and 3D virtual walkthroughs at The Paddocks development in Blunsdon.

The videos are available to watch on the Homes website homepage and on the YouTube channel.

New virtual walkthroughs for the Yatesbury and the Milbourne complete the set of walkthroughs for each house type featured on Homes’ larger developments. All the virtual walkthroughs are available to watch at hills-homes.co.uk/3d-walkthrough/

Streamlining Homes’ customer care

Home buyers are now being provided with the home information app, Spaciable, when handed the keys to a new home built by Hills. The app gives them ready access to everything from paint and brick specification through to appliance guarantees, gas safe certificate and house builder warranty.

Linda Cahill, Sales Support Manager, said: “The Spaciable app has replaced our standard, bulky, handover document folder with a perfect, userfriendly management tool. We have seen a drastic reduction in calls regarding basic specification enquiries and customers have all the detail they need within easy reach at all times.”

In addition to Spaciable, home owners are also advised to log-in to Homes’ snagging and maintenance portal, Clixifix, which provides them with an easy and quick method to report maintenance issues online. Linda said: “Like Spaciable, Clixifix has reduced telephone enquiries. Customer issues are referred automatically to the correct contractor, and both Homes and the new owner are given updates on work and completion. The system works really well - homebuyers have a lot of confidence in it.”

P.E.A.K Training

Earlier this year, Waste Solutions launched a new learning and development programme for employees. The P.E.A.K training scheme includes a range of competency requirements specific to various roles within the business with a schedule of training sessions underway across the business units. So far this year, over 45 training sessions have taken place. The competencies come from five categories, known as P.E.A.K’s, which are fundamental to Waste Solutions’ business success:

Many of the training sessions are delivered in house by our support services, external training providers or by our software providers. P.E.A.K is helping us to raise the skills of our employees, identify talent and provide support if needed.

developed by Robin Edwards, Environment and Quality Manager, Waste Solutions

developed by John Bucksey, Finance Director, Waste Solutions developed by Paul Elling, Compliance Manager, Waste Solutions developed by Pamela Hunt, Head of HR, Group developed by Caroline Wilde, Business Project Manager, Waste Solutions

One of the P.E.A.K training sessions.

Some training sessions demonstrate on-site situations and conditions.

Welcome back Mark Tinson

Divisional Director, Hills Homes – Operations

Mark Tinson has rejoined Hills Homes Developments as Divisional Director

– Operations. Mark is well known to many employees, having worked at Hills previously also in the Homes’ division.

Nick King, Group Director Hills Homes, said: “I am pleased to welcome Mark back to the business, and congratulate him on his new role which will see him manage and support the site construction, and office-based support staff on our existing sites, whilst also working on future land opportunities with me, to ensure that there is a steady pipeline of quality sites for future Hills Homes developments.”

Mark said: “It is good to be back. I am looking forward to reconnecting with past colleagues, as well as meeting a number of new faces, working together to build on the hard work and reputation for quality that Nick and the Homes team have implemented over the last 25 years.”

Homes’ promotions and appointments

Darren Cawkwell

Darren joined Homes as Finishing Foreman in March 2014, progressing to Assistant Site Manager in October 2018 and Quality Control Manager on 1st June 2022.

Rob Jenney

Rob joined Homes on 9th May 2022, from Berkeley Group and is the Assistant Site Manager at The Paddocks, Blunsdon.

Michael Kord

Michael joined Homes on 4th July 2022, from Miller Homes and is Site Manager at The Paddocks, Blunsdon.

David Webber

David joined Homes in August 2020, as Customer Care Operative progressing to Assistant Site Manager at High Penn Park, Calne on 1st August 2022.

James Cook

Divisional Director, Quarry Products –Commercial and Business Development

James is responsible for planning, leading, organising and controlling the profitable operation of Quarry Products’ commercial business, including continued expansion, development and customer service.

James has worked in the quarrying industry in commercial management, business research and development for over 17 years, and brings a wealth of experience to his role.

Peter Andrew, Group Director, Quarry Products said: “It is great to have James on board. His role strengthens our senior management team at a time when we have new opportunities to develop, expanding the Quarry Products business and adapting to new challenges that our industry faces.”

New role for Richard Mortimer

Waste Solutions’ employee Richard Mortimer celebrates not only his new role as Broker Account Manager but also receipt of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal which is awarded to serving members of the Armed Forces who have completed five full calendar years of service as of February 2022.

Richard has served for nine years in the Wessex Yeomanry and is currently second lieutenant in charge of instructing Swindon’s Army Cadets in weapons, navigation and fieldcraft.

Richard joined Waste Solutions in March 2017 as Account Manager and was responsible for all key accounts and brokers to which the division supplies waste management solutions.

His new role sees him working with a Key Account Manager to provide a renewed focus on customer accounts and service to maximise revenue growth.

Craig Skett passes NEBOSH with a perfect 100%

Craig Skett, MRF Supervisor, Waste Solutions (right), has recently passed The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) qualification with flying colours.

Craig said: “I’m happy I passed the NEBOSH course as it’s widely recognised and can play an important part in ensuring the health and safety of people working around me. As I work evening shifts, I’m the only person at the facility in a supervisory position, highlighting the need for general safety awareness. This course has helped me recognise near-misses and how to minimise the risk

of accidents, especially during new and evolving plant breakdown scenarios where external contractors are also present.”

Matt Nicholls, Recycling Area Manager, Waste Solutions (left), said: “The waste industry has a high risk of accidents, so it’s important to be able to recognise hazards and be able to reduce the possible impacts of undertaking activities on sites. The Sands Farm MRF is a busy and noisy environment, with contractors often visiting the site whose wellbeing Hills is also responsible for. Increasing the number of staff who hold the NEBOSH qualification will improve the safety of our workplaces.”

Farewell to Steve Palmer

Steve Palmer joined Waste Solutions in December 2010 as Waste Sales and Compliance Manager, and after nearly 12 years of working for Waste Solutions decided to take his retirement.

A lunch to celebrate his service was held at Harper’s Steakhouse in Swindon and was attended by Mike Hill, CEO, Simon Allen, Divisional Director – Waste Operations and Jon Bucksey Finance Director – Waste Solutions.

Simon said: “It was a lovely occasion when everyone reminisced over the many experiences that Steve had during his time at Hills. We wish Steve all the best for his well-earned retirement – and especially with the many projects that we know he has lined up!”

Move to Improve Finalists

The shortlist for this year’s Move to Improve finalists has been announced with the following employees in with a chance of winning the overall prize of £500 if their idea is voted ‘best improvement to the business‘.

Dave Smith, Site Foreman –Landfill, Waste Solutions

Dave’s suggestion was to improve the site entrance at Hills’ Lower Compton site by adding information signs about the work Hills does there and improving visual impact.

Michael Jones – MRF Supervisor, Waste Solutions Michael has suggested an inexpensive road sweeping system that could be added to existing vehicles, offering a financial saving and more flexibility in keeping the site clean.

Colin Langford, Mobile Plant Operative, Waste Solutions

Colin has two suggestions shortlisted. The first, to add a new ‘PPE must be worn on site’ sign between Hills’ Lower Compton Farmhouse and the concrete pad area, as a visual reminder to those entering the site to wear their required PPE. And his second suggestion was to extend the lighting from the wheel wash to light up the roundabout.

Anthony Booth – Concrete Plant Manager, Quarry Products

Anthony’s suggestion to save energy and reduce trips to and from the control panel to slow or stop the circular conveyor was to fit a remote control.

Keith Vincent, Concrete Operations Assistant,

Keith’s implemented idea was to ensure that all Quarry Products’ qualified first aiders should wear green hard hats to

Tony Jackson, Weighbridge Operative, Waste

Tony has two suggestions shortlisted. He spotted that compost shredder hammers were wearing through quicker than expected. His idea was to apply a hard-face material to the area of increased wear to extend the life of each hammer. He also suggested installing lighting on the screening operation so that screening could continue safely during dark months.

Submit your Move to Improve suggestions through the online form or by posting a suggestion card in one of the red boxes located at every Hills site for a chance to win the following:

• A £25 voucher in the monthly lucky draw*

• A £50 voucher if your idea gets implemented.

• A £500 voucher if your idea is voted as ‘best improvement to the business’ (awarded annually).

Community funding highlights

Bay Meadows saved

The Hills Group recently gave a grant of £60,000 via the Landfill Communities Fund to help Wiltshire Wildlife Trust purchase Bay Meadows, a much-loved nature spot backing onto Rabley Wood, just to the north of Marlborough.

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is now consulting on the best way to restore this unique haven and river Og which, as well as being a critical habitat for water voles, could become the

perfect spot for otters, kingfishers and wild brown trout along with wildflowers, butterflies and wading birds.

A programme of detailed work will then commence on improving the 12 hectares of water meadows and internationally rare chalk stream.

The site should eventually see visitors enjoy wider access with the installation of a new footbridge and steppingstones over the river, to create links to the existing public bridleway and cycle track as well as the riverside walk.

Faringdon Rugby Club Improvements

Faringdon Rugby Club held a family day in September to celebrate the installation of fencing for the perimeter of the rugby pitch which was funded by a £10,000 grant from Hills through the Landfill Communities Fund. Mary Hardwidge of Community First, who administer the fund on Hills’ behalf, attended the event to hand over the commemorative plaque. The works mark phase one of a larger project to include the installation of a community café and later an extension to the rugby club building.

Mary Hardwidge, Community First, Scott Cocks, Vice Chairman (centre) and David Norris, Chairman, both of Faringdon Rugby Club.

Swindon Town FC Community Foundation

Swindon Town FC Community Foundation has been awarded £10,000 from The Hills Group through the Landfill Communities Fund. This funding is to support the creation of a new state-of-the-art, indoor, community sports facility which will allow access to key projects and programmes to enhance people’s health and well-being. It will also become an important support centre for disadvantaged members of the community while building on the success of Foundation Park, the foundation’s new base.

Head of Foundation, Jon Holloway said: “We are delighted to have secured funding from Community First and The Hills Group to build this new community facility.

“It will provide disadvantaged members of our community with new ways to engage within the heart of the community, and increase the capacity of the overall site, to run additional services and slots for play and training.

“We can now very much look forward to work commencing on site within the next few months and the opening of this facility in the Autumn of 2022.”

Sponsorship of Fire Cadets enters fourth year

Sponsorship has, once again, been confirmed for the Fire Cadets scheme, run in Swindon and Trowbridge by Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service from 2022 into 2023.

Christine Sharma, Partnerships Manager DWFRS, said: “Thanks to Hills’ funding, we can cover the cost of uniform and resources to enable weekly sessions for both Cadet units.”

Paul Elling, Compliance Manager, Waste Solutions, said: “Hills is proud to offer sponsorship for another year and we trust that the new recruits will be as successful as those from this year’s cohorts.”

“The Hills Group has a strong connection with Swindon with our operations being based here for over 120 years. We are delighted to be able to provide funding for this important community space.”

Mike Hill, CEO.

Paul Elling, Compliance Manager, addressing Cadets at the Trowbridge Cadets’ pass out parade.

Sponsorship delivered at County level

This season saw Waste Solutions become an Official Partner of Somerset County Cricket Club (SCCC) giving the company a platform to drive awareness of the business and reach a

Come on Wildcats

Hills has renewed its sponsorship of Swindon Wildcats for the 2022-23 National Ice Hockey League Season. Through extending our sponsorship this year, the Hills logo will feature on the full team shirts as well as having a rink side advertising board and glass branding.

The company has been a sponsor of the team for many years and is looking forward to seeing the club’s performance over the coming season. Good luck Wildcats!

wider audience. This proved to be effective with the company’s logo appearing on SCCC’s shirts throughout the Vitality Blast T20 competition through to the finals day.

Wiltshire Cricket’s Talent Pathway

The Hills Group has been supporting the cost of Wiltshire Cricket’s Talent Pathway with funding going towards facility hire and equipment for two seasons.

Around 300 children are supported annually by Wiltshire Cricket’s talent pathway which provides a winter coaching programme and summer match-play programme for girls and boys from under 10s through to under 18s.

Mike Hill, Chief Executive, pictured far left and Neil Pollard, Divisional Director, Waste Solutions, pictured second from right.

40th Hills Professional Golf Championship goes ahead after two-year pandemic delay

Marlborough Golf Club hosted the 40th Hills’ Wiltshire Professionals’ Golf Championship in July, three years after the previous competition was held in 2019. This year saw a return to the traditional and popular Pro-Am format. On the day of the championship, the early morning clouds disappeared leaving blue skies, and a challenging breeze for the golfers.

Marlborough Golf Club’s Ben Amor, who has been sponsored in his professional career by The Hills Group since 2017, played some scintillating golf to win the 36-hole professional competition on a score of 6 under

par, with Greg Davies from South Cerney Golf Club finishing as runner-up two shots back and Harry Trusler third in a very tight competition.

This is the second consecutive win for the Amor family, with Ben’s brother, Jamie, winning the last Championship in 2019 at the club where their father, Simon, is the longstanding professional.

The top eight players all walked away with a share of the prize money in this popular competition. The team competition was won by professionals Barry Sandry and Lawrence Ross partnered by company guests James Lodge from Tuckwells and Len Wright from Wright Minimix.

Spot the ball!

£50 prize?

To be in with a chance of winning a £50 Marks & Spencer voucher or one of two runners-up prizes of £25 Marks & Spencer vouchers, all you have to do is spot the ball in this image of Hills-sponsored Calne Town FC.

Complete the form below including your name, site location and your chosen grid reference (letter/number), then email your entry to info@hills-group.co.uk or send this page via internal post to the Communications department at County Park, Swindon. Entries must be received no later than Friday 18 November 2022. One entry per employee.

Name: Location:

Spot the mammoth competition winners

There

intouch and Edward Clapton, Line Operator, won first prize - a

Karen Allison, PA

Group Director - Quarry Products and Tony Jackson, Weighbridge Operative, were

to the winners and a big thank you to everyone

Edward Clapton, Line Operator.

Karen Allison, PA to Group Director.

Tony Jackson, Weighbridge Operative.