In 2021 Opencast was a lot smaller and our flatter structure gave people autonomy. However, we had started to hear concerns about a lack of personalised support and unclear career development. With further growth forecast, we had to act to make sure we had the right mechanisms in place but without adding to the company hierarchy.

This led to the creation of the role of people experience partner – PEEP – and our first PEEPs joined the business in January 2022. I joined the team shortly after that.

Our mission was to get to know our consultants on a one-to-one basis and to be trusted and supportive partners who foster their growth, development and wellbeing. We aimed to do this by advocating individual needs through a coaching approach, to enable our people to reach their full potential and achieve their career aspirations.

Introducing PEEPs

We were given a blank canvas by the company’s board to create our new team and the first few months were exciting and rewarding. People across the business were receptive and eager to build working relationships. We quickly realised that people’s needs were different, so tailored our approach.

Trends started to emerge and we recognised the value of coming together as PEEPs to discuss the topics people were raising with us. These varied from learning needs, aspirations for work on certain types of project, or the need for the business to define routes to progression and development.