Awards

The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For

Lakehouse has been listed 77 in The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For, achieving a higher place in the list than both Wates and Mace.

Chief Executive Steve Rawlings believes that the secret to Lakehouse's employee engagement is traditional East End family values. Steve established the business in 1988 in a bedroom of his home, "I had my best friend, sister and brother-in-law working for me then and they are still here. It started from nothing and the turnover is now £100million, and if people who join the company are good, they can go the whole way."

63% of employees say that opportunities to learn and grow within the organisation are not limited, 81% agree that they can make a valuable contribution to its success, and 73% believe that Steve Rawlings is an inspiring leader.

Business Systems Manager Jo Roast joined Lakehouse five years ago and has a daughter of 16 months. She is pleased to be able to balance motherhood with progressing her career, through flexible working policies. Jo comments "I'm determined that by the time my daughter is in school I'll be a few levels up so I do three flexible days in the office and two at home, which I can work over the weekend. I think I would find it difficult to get that deal somewhere else."

Ken Power, Director for Organisational Development, believes that Steve Rawlings is the key to Lakehouse's success because he is aware you can only get things done by engaging staff. Ken says "They have to share the mission, trust you and believe that their opinion makes a difference. If you get it right, people will follow you anywhere."

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