University of Cambridge Estates Division’s Asset Management Team

The Asset Management team at the University of Cambridge plays an essential role in ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the university’s vast and diverse estate. This responsibility is held in the highest regard by its team of mechanical engineers, building fabric experts, compliance advisors, surveyors, and everyone who played their critical part in the maintenance of this institution.

The Challenge

Yet the team had previously gone through a period of significant change, which had seriously impacted morale, a sense of unity and productivity.

The ENGAGE Solution

In 2023, Hedfan was contacted by the newly appointed Head of Asset Management and were commissioned to support him in creating “a culture in which everyone would thrive” in a format that had previously demonstrated high levels of success.
Working together, we met with members of the senior team, co-created a vision for the future in a VMOST format, met representative members of the Asset Management Team to understand life from their view: their frustrations and emotions, their account of past events, their perception of life in that team now; and critically, their ideas to move forward.

With experience of creating and partaking in successful behavioural change programmes personal to other organisations, the ENGAGE Programme was launched. It became the Asset Management Team’s Engagement and Collaboration Programme. A six-day programme aimed at fostering a culture of communication, teamwork and professional development for every member of the team regardless of role or seniority.

Aims of the programme

• To create an effective and productive Team culture
• To provide professional development for all

Objectives of the programme

• To increase team unity and morale
• To embed positive, proactive behaviours as the foundation of the Asset Management Team

A key element of ENGAGE sees participants develop business improvement ideas and present them to management. This process empowers staff to voice their ideas and concerns, fostering a more inclusive and engaged workplace. Participants also receive accountability coaching to provide extra support in preparing to deliver presentations, and to support the implementation of their proposals.

The Impact

The programme has created positive results, seeing an increase across the board in team morale, communication and job quality ownership, as demonstrated in the Impact Survey Results issued 3months after the pilot programme was complete. The programme is also linked to an increase in female appointments to roles within the last 12months.

What Next?

By the end of 2024, almost 100 team members will have completed the programme, and in 2025, the ENGAGE Programme will support the induction of a new influx of team members.

Client Testimonial

“I could not recommend the programme higher from a personal point of view”

Evidence