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DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2019
Winner Corporate Social Responsibility IN PARTNERSHIP WITH IOSH D A RA MCC AR THY
Director, RMF Construction Services
‘Don’t employ experts and then tell them what to do’
After more than a decade working in the construction sector, McCarthy joined RMF in 2012. On top of his day-to-day work, the strong CSR advocate has also helped to establish subsidiary Fresh Start, which brings systematically underrepresented people into work. To date, it has helped more than 250 ex-offenders to find jobs. What has been the most pivotal moment for your business so far? “Our partnership with Milton Keynes College to deliver training at HMP Hewell. That was our first training contract with a prison. The 100 per cent employment rate of trainees there to date has helped us go on to work with 17 prisons in total.” Its biggest challenge? “Persuading clients to employ ex-offenders. We have overcome this by providing expert training in ‘live site’ conditions while inviting clients to visit RMF sites and our prison training, so that they can see at first hand the quality of our trainers and learners.”
Winner Family Business Chair of the board, Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate LE SLE Y WILD
‘It’s vital to involve people and listen to them’
Wild joined her family’s 100-year-old firm, Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate, back in 1979. Now chair of the company – famous for brands including Yorkshire Tea and Taylors of Harrogate coffee – she has led a cultural change in order to ensure the continued success of the business. She is also a solicitor, author and member of the Company of Merchant Adventurers of the City of York, which supports young entrepreneurs in and around the city. What inspires you? “The centenary year of our business, 2019, has brought the story of its beginning into sharp focus. Its founder, Frederick Belmont, was orphaned at the age of five in a fire at his father’s mill in Switzerland. Sold into slave labour, he was forced to move to a remote village where he knew no one. His tenacity and determination to improve his situation are inspirational. Who could have guessed that he’d create a business that’s still flourishing 100 years later?”
What’s been your biggest challenge? “It was when I became chair 10 years ago. I needed to change a paternalistic culture to one of collaboration, while enabling the owners to influence without interfering, in preparation for a time when there may be no family members in our business.” The formula for building a great team? “Be quite forensic about it: analyse what you need, conduct a skills audit and then look internally as well as externally. Potential, chemistry and cultural fit are probably the most important attributes.” What’s the secret of great leadership? “Being clear about your business’s values and vision, sharing these with everyone and modelling the behaviour you want to see in the organisation goes a long way. It’s vital to involve people and listen to them too.” What’s the most valuable business lesson you’ve learnt? “The importance of knowing what our company stands for and staying true to what we believe in.”
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What’s your leadership style? “It has been described as a cross between transformational and charismatic. I believe this stems from my passion for Fresh Start, which allowed me to drive the growth of the business and influence clients to use socially inclusive recruitment channels.” The best business advice you’ve ever received? “Don’t employ experts and then tell them what to do. That came from our CEO, Ray McGee.”
WHAT THE AWARD PARTNER SAID
Andrew Sharman, president of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health: “Iosh is pleased to celebrate exemplary business leadership and governance by supporting the Director of the Year Awards 2019. All eight finalists in the CSR category demonstrate the benefits of integrating business success with responsible, sustainable leadership. We congratulate them and our winner, Dara McCarthy.”
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