British Board of Agrément

The British Board of Agrément (BBA) drives industry safety by providing services that help clients create accountability and mitigate risk. Since 1966, the BBA has built its position as a trusted independent certification body in the Construction Industry, through providing services that support the innovation and development of quality, fit-for-purpose products and systems. A rich heritage of expertise and skill, coupled with a collaborative approach to working in partnership with Industry, underpins an acute focus on construction innovation of the future. Through extensive product and system research, testing and certification, auditing, and inspection, the BBA helps to instill confidence throughout the construction and manufacturing supply chain in both the UK and Global marketplaces. How employees collaborate Individuals have shared and personal goals that align to BBA’s objectives. Experienced employees act as mentors and lead trainers to new joiners, passing on their knowledge and expertise. Our office is designed around collaboration, with everyone hot desking, including the CEO. People are encouraged to sit with different teams. Equal space is given to collaboration as is task desks and quiet spaces. Technology is used as an enabler to collaboration, with everyone having access to shared spaces to share ideas and news. A positive vision for the future Everyone understands how they contribute not only to our clients, the construction industry but also to the wider community. Our people have an excellent reputation, allowing BBA to punch above its weight in the influence it has in the construction industry. We are building on our knowledge, history and brand to transform the services we provide, to support the modernisation of the industry, making buildings safer and more sustainable. How values are demonstrated We are in the process of reshaping our values based around our people. All employees have been invited to attend workshops on developing our new values which will be available later this year. In the workshops employees have been encouraged to talk about what’s important to them and how this is translated to our clients and the community. How employees are respected The employee forum has representation from across the business, ensuring that everyone has a voice in major changes. Our new office was designed by our employees to reflect our diversity and individual needs. All employees are encouraged to give feedback to the leadership team through monthly breakfast meetings and regular all-hands briefings. How employees are supported We are in a unique position in that we don’t have any shareholders so each year a third of our profits are reinvested into our people through reward and recognition and learning and development. All employees are encouraged to spend some time outward looking in to the industry and the community, contributing to trade bodies. Everyone is supported and encouraged to make progress in their profession, receiving financial support. We have monthly lunch and learn events where colleagues share a mixture of personal and professional interests. How leadership demonstrates values Our CEO creates the right balance between a challenging and supportive leadership. Hardy focuses us on developing our culture to serve our clients better. Programs and practices Most of our employees are engineers and scientists and some of our people are neuro-divergent. We have designed our new head office taking into account our neuro-divergent needs, creating spaces for social gathering, quiet areas for reflection and areas for fun and games. Benefits Our health cash plans, flexible working including hybrid working, career breaks, life assurance, cycle to work schemes and social events are available for all. Pandemic response Some of our people worked from home during COVID. Some employees were required to attend our Test labs to support business critical tasks – we are grateful for their ongoing commitment . We started the return to the office at the end of summer 2021 under our hybrid working policy that requires two days in the office. Office working is centered around team meetings and the mentoring of less experienced colleagues. Our IT systems have been transformed to enable plug and play wherever you are in the UK.