CALA Homes has added five new recruits to its people team.
Jenyth Macdonald joins as early talent manager, a newly created role which includes the development of programmes for school leavers, graduates, interns, apprentices and undergrad and Masters candidates.
Jenyth, an early careers specialist who has held roles with the University of St Andrews and Skyscanner, said, “Our goal is to cultivate early talent in a strategic way, developing our talent pool with a long-term view that will benefit both CALA and the young people we engage with. A key focus will be on ensuring we deliver an outstanding experience for those who join our team – whether for a short placement, a longer internship or as a first step on the career ladder.
“Developing the people strategy is a major part of CALA’s five-year business plan, linked with a renewed focus on sustainability, and as this is a brand-new role created to help drive this, there’s a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact with a business whose values very much reflect my own – that’s something I’m really looking forward to.”
Kathleen McLaughlin and Megan Carreno have also joined the team, as organisational development advisor and organisational development coordinator respectively. Kathleen joins from a position in digital marketing with CALA, and Megan is a recent graduate of the University of Strathclyde.
The other new starts are Charlotte Hitchen and Amy Mohr, who have joined the business in newly created HR advisor roles.
Rod Pearson, who joined as head of people and OD at CALA last year, said, “Creating a culture and practices that attract the best people and support them to thrive has been a focus for some time, but these key new appointments will enable us to drive our people strategy like never before. Finding the right recruits with the passion and expertise to deliver was crucial, and I’m thrilled that we have a team in place that is energised to make a difference.
“We’ve already made great strides in areas such as wellbeing, with recent measures such as an enriched health and safety culture, partnerships with Samaritans and Unmind, smarter working initiatives, a series of health and wellbeing webinars, and a mental health first aiders programme which already includes 70 members of the team. We will seek to continue this progress and embed our people ethos into every aspect of life at CALA.
“Our strategic ambition is to be the favoured employer in our sector and beyond and, fundamentally, to be a place to be proud of for our entire team. I’m confident that our newly expanded people team will achieve just that.”
