Our people deliver

As a service orientated organisation, Christian Salvesen understands that it is our people that make the difference. We have been changing our organisation to be prepared for the changes that are happening in our markets.

Recruiting the right leaders
Christian Salvesen has adopted an aggressive and progressive attitude to recruitment as it seeks to grow by establishing itself in new markets and expanding existing services across Europe. This new approach can be clearly demonstrated in some of the major appointments made since June 2006. These have included:

• Peter Eglinton as Group Business Development Director
• Sarah Vawda as Group Corporate Development Director
• Jan Huizeling as Chief Information Officer and Development Support
• Peter Willems as Managing Director of Support Services
• Coen van der Maarel as Managing Director of Food and Consumer Mainland Europe

Campbell Fitch, the Group Human Resources Director said: "We must invest in key people, in order to ensure that we continue to grow and enhance our reputation for innovation, creativity and quality.

Although we have already recruited a number of very talented and experienced professionals, this is just the tip of the iceberg. We are still recruiting across the board, in all areas of our operations. I think that a lot of people realise that because we are a mid-sized business in the industry, rather than one of the giants, they can make a big impact here. I think that this, combined with our 'one team' culture is a very appealing prospect for anyone who is ambitious to progress in their careers.

We have been working very hard over the last year, because we realised that we needed to change our approach to the business, to 'rejuvenate' it, in order to meet the changing demands of our customers and to achieve some stiff expansion objectives."

Britain's Top Employers 2007

We are very proud to have been listed as one of Britain's Top Employers 2007 by The Corporate Research Foundation. The analysis used a wide range of scoring categories with Christian Salvesen appearing as a solid all round performer. Further information may be found on the www.researchfoundation.com website.

Developing as One Team
For change to be effective it has to be for life, and it has to apply throughout the organisation. Leadership and communication are key to providing good service. Our 'One Team' project is focussed or rejuvenating the leadership capabilities of the entire line management team, from supervisors through to site managers.

Christian Salvesen embarked on the "One Team Change Agenda" in April 2004. "One Team" is focussed on improving our productivity and customer service levels by engaging with all colleagues within our business. Evidence suggests that colleagues are more productive when they feel valued, their views are listened to and their satisfaction levels are high.

Christian Salvesen is intent on differentiating itself from much of the Transport and Logistics industry which is sometimes characterised by poor internal communications and inappropriate leadership styles. This will be achieved by becoming an "employer of choice", achieving a strong culture and high levels of productivity through our fair treatment of all colleagues.

We have already taken the initial steps on the journey to becoming "One Team". For example, in the United Kingdom colleagues wear polo shirts and we've identified initiatives to resolve particular issues using cross-functional teams. Colleague Briefings have been re-introduced, Listening Groups are used to promote dialogue and standard format KPI Boards are used to increase the focus on productivity. Opinion surveys are conducted to identify both company wide areas of concern and local issues. These surveys are followed up with each depot producing its own improvement action plan.

In addition to becoming an "employer of choice", we aim to become a "partner of choice" in the eyes of our customers.