Our people matter
Marilyn Coulton is our Head of Human Resources. She is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Professional Development (CIPD), the professional body for HR and people development. She is supported by HR Partners Jorja Brittle and Emily Kay and Group Business Administrator Abi Atkin.
Marilyn says: “We are an exceptionally busy team, always on the go, which is just how it should be. We’re here to help everyone and we’re making it our mission to open up new and innovative ways of sharing success from each of our businesses so that everyone has a better idea of what L.B. Foster Europe is achieving.”
Marilyn continues: “A first for the business is a new employee handbook. This brings together all company policies in a single publication, so that wherever you work the same common standards, expectations and policies are applied to all. It’s part of what has come to be defined as ‘L.B. Fosterness’.”
The handbook is called ‘Jump On Board’ and is designed to provide everyone working at L.B. Foster Europe with the same advice, guidance and standards. Included in the book are sections on:
- When you’re out of office
- Looking out for each other
- Our digital world
- Grievances
- Rewards.
What does HR do?
Marilyn says: “The Human Resources Department covers five key roles. At executive level, we are specialists in the areas that encompass Human Resources or people management. In our audit role, we check other departments and the business as a whole to ensure all HR policies, such as Training and Performance Reviews, are carried out in accordance with HR policy.
“We also fulfil a facilitator role, helping other departments to achieve the goals or standards as laid out in our HR policies. This involves training for issues that arise in areas relating to people management. As consultants, we advise managers on how to tackle specific managing people issues professionally, and in our service role we raise awareness and inform departments and functional areas on changes in policy.”
IMechE Monitored Professional Development Scheme
Our goal at L.B. Foster is to provide unparalleled support and commitment to career development by enhancing skills. We have teamed up with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) committing the business to its Monitored Professional Development Scheme (MPDS). This is designed to enable our employees to take their experience to the highest levels of professional achievement; an ambition that should see them gain Professional Chartered status.
The MPDS is the Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ quality controlled route for the Initial Professional Development of young engineers, leading to corporate membership of the Institution and registration with the Engineering Council as a Chartered Engineer or Incorporated Engineer.
Marilyn concludes: “It’s my goal to ensure that not only do our Scheme members receive industry-leading professional development but also the efforts of the line managers, mentors and administrators, which this scheme relies upon, are recognised and supported to the fullest extent. The business now has a great resource and through our energy, enthusiasm and expertise we are committed to providing first class HR support and advice to all our people.”