Ark Workplace Risk ™

Your Place at Ark

The diversity and involvement of our people is the foundation of our strength. We are committed to your fair and effective selection, development, motivation and recognition. We will provide you with the tools, training and support to achieve excellence in customer satisfaction.

Our People

Our team ethic is strong, but each of our Consultants is an individual, with their own objectives, their own drivers, their own interests.

In this section, we introduce you to some of the team, to help you to get to know our people and what they think about working at Ark.

David Hills, Senior Consultant and Professional Services Manager – Supporting our Customers

Background and Experience: FRICS, MIFireE, MIFSM, MIIRSM, Dip Mgt (Open), Dip CFPA (Europe), Dip FPA, NRAC Consultant - Professional Services Manager within the company. David is an experienced and highly regarded professional with a background in building surveying and enforcement. David is responsible for quality, professional services delivery standards, professional staff development, CPD and training management, services standards and consulting/training  best practice development and personally undertakes assignments for ensuring that he remains at the cutting edge.

Key Partnerships: Manages service levels, quality and delivery. Today was one of those days where my feet didn’t touch the ground…pretty par for the course here at Ark and I wouldn’t have it any other way. As a mentor and coach to team members as well as a technical contact to key stakeholders of a number of our major clients, I find all my skills are called upon pretty much on a daily basis.

Opportunity: To be able to be influential in the growth and development of our internal and external customers – our employees and our clients.

Brian Chisholm, Specialist Consultant – Adding Value

Background and Experience: BSc FSS, GIFireE - Fire Safety Specialist Consultant within the company. Brian has been instrumental in adapting the Fire Safety Enforcement methodology for the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005, Part 3 Fire Safety, through his association with the Chief Fire Officers Association in Scotland. He was a leading figure nationally in the development of Lead Fire Authority Partnerships (LAPS) and has developed and managed partnerships with the Royal Bank of Scotland, HBOS and Standard Life during his time with Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service. He has been utilised as a guest speaker in some of the recent seminars sponsored by the ODPM as part of the roll out of information leading up to the commencement of the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order.

Key Partnerships: Adding value is a common term these days and is all too often an empty phrase. I know when I’ve added value – when a client wants to do more than just act on my advice, when they utilise it within their own management systems.

Opportunity: To make use of over 30 years of experience in Fire Safety and enforcement in a vibrant and dynamic environment.

*Louise Mingay, Consultant – Understanding the Client.

Background and Experience: BSc (Hons) PGDipEDM(Open) – Senior Risk Management Consultant with a background in health protection and biological sciences. Louise is responsible for the management of a team of Consultants advising clients on all workplace risk matters.

Key Partnerships: At the moment, I’m working really closely with a global client who is a major household name, with properties throughout the UK. I don’t remember feeling so fulfilled – I’m using my technical skills as we’re implementing management systems throughout the business, undertaking risk assessments across their sites and training their teams, but I’m also stretching my communication and influencing skills since I’m liaising with all levels of people within the business. Yesterday I was presenting a quarterly report to the senior managers and last week I was training the FMs! I’m also mentoring Trainees, which is helping me to grow my leadership skills. All of this is in my development plan, so I’m looking forward to my next performance review.

Opportunity: Getting close to our clients, helping them achieve their goals whilst I achieve mine.

* Featured Consultant

Peter de Salis, Consultant – Implementing Solutions

Background and Experience: TechIOSH - Peter is an experienced Risk Management Consultant with a background in operational management within one of the UK’s largest integrated entertainment and event management solution companies.

Key Partnerships: I am currently working on the practical implementation of a health and safety management system within a major property company. When I first met with the stakeholders, they had the impression that a health and safety management system would be really complicated, so it was hugely satisfying being able to show them how straightforward a management systems can be.

Opportunity: Making seemingly complex things simple.

Matt Garwood, Consultant (Technical Lead) – Technical Specialisms

Background and Experience: BSc (Hons) WMSoc - Mat is a highly regarded Risk Management Consultant with many years experience within the water treatment industries specialising in water hygiene and legionella prevention and control.

Key Partnerships: My specialism in Water Hygiene means I’m involved in delivering both lead technical authority as well as coaching to the team to develop their skills in this area.

Opportunity: Internal coaching and development, liaison with technical and non-technical contacts.

Luke Bartlett, Trainee – Teamwork

Background and Experience: BA (psych) – Luke is a respected Risk Management Consultant with a background in Organisational Psychology and civil and criminal legal practice.

Key Partnerships: As a recent graduate, I know I’m learning the ropes and the support I’m getting, both formal and informal, is great. Whilst everyone has their own activities, the feeling of teamwork is really strong.

Opportunity: Working together with the team to achieve common goals.

David Hurst, Consultant – Client Satisfaction

Background and Experience: AIIRSM – David is a highly regarded and experienced Risk Management Consultant with a background in Facilities Management, Operations ( UK and International) and Strategic Planning within the Royal Mail.

Key Partnerships: I have key partnerships with a number of clients, which allows me to get involved in all types of solution provision; implementing management systems, undertaking risk assessments and audits, providing advice and support. Whilst I may be undertaking the same type of activity at each client, the nature of their businesses means things are never mundane because I’m always thinking about their specific environments.

Opportunity: Finding the right solutions to ensure each individual customer is completely satisfied

Professional Development

At Ark, our objective is to train, develop, promote and reward our employees in order to provide the professional and personal development required to ensure superior performance for our clients and Ark.

The work of a consultant is challenging. It stretches and tests in many ways and our people prosper from it, both professionally and personally.

We are committed to the job satisfaction of our employees, helping them to:

• Realise their potential. Our supportive team structure is designed to provide formal coaching as well as informal mentoring from peers.
• Make a difference. Our clients’ trust and confidence is built from our in-depth understanding of the issues affecting successful workplace risk management.
• Explore diverse opportunities. We offer you an impressive scope of opportunity, from the specialisms you develop, to the projects you work on, to the clients you work with.
• Perform through Partnership. At Ark, you will be part of an elite team of professionals who share the same goals, values and energies, resulting in an enviable tour de force.

Our learning programs, which may be undertaken in the office or on ‘Away Days’ provide important skills, but our people learn the most from each other and through work experience.

Coaches and mentors are appointed and provide continuous feedback on your work in an atmosphere of trust and respect. Our employees welcome this environment – close scrutiny of work is invited as only through such inspection can we develop and improve.

Career Paths

Consultants join Ark with a wide range of backgrounds and experience. All are challenged in many ways, but the constant is excellent performance.

The pace of advancement and promotion is determined by the individual’s demonstrated ability.

Roll-over the chart to learn more about the roles.

Level 1 - Trainee Level 5 – Directing Consultant
Level 2 – Consultant Level 5s – Specialist Consultant
Level 3 – Senior Consultant Level 6 – Practice Leader
Level 4 – Managing Consultant

Level 1 – Trainee

Trainees take an active role in gaining exposure to the spectrum of our clients, processes, our people and our tools. They work under close monitoring, supervision and management and receive regular output reviews to ensure effective learning and rapid progression. Their communication skills are strong and they have a personable character, being able to liaise well with client stakeholders.

Level 2 – Consultant

Consultants have a thorough understanding of Ark’s clients, processes, people and tools and are likely to have developed a core specialism. Monitoring, supervision and management will be received, particularly in the areas of technical output and time management, although day-to-day work is undertaken largely unsupervised. They have honed their communication skills to the degree where they delight clients

Level 3 – Senior Consultant

Senior Consultants have basic supervisor /1st line management skills, supervising both Trainees and Consultants. They have strong questioning skills and are involved in the development of training plans for Trainees and Consultants. They ensure clients are delighted and further develop existing relationships with clients. They advise clients on strategic issues within specific areas of competence and undertake routine workplace risk. They demonstrate strong staff management skills, strategic insight, some sales skills and will commonly be enhancing their technical knowledge, for example, studying for IOSH.

Level 4 – Managing Consultant

In addition to the skills and qualities outlined under Level 3, Managing Consultants manage small teams and mentor both Consultants and Senior Consultants. They have full technical competence, prepare template systems and undertake/lead template audits. They have strong project planning skills and understand corporate structure and workplace risk. They are competent at developing new client relationships. They have IOSH or equivalent qualifications/experience, demonstrated sales skills and have undertaken some management training.

Level 5 – Directing Consultant

In addition to the skills and qualities outlined under Level 4, Directing Consultants direct Senior Consultant teams, create and review management systems and processes, can manage large teams and can run independent/regional subsidiaries of Ark. They are specialists in a high value/skill area and can independently review extant management systems and processes, creating new systems with client benefits in mind. They work closely with back-office operations to ensure smooth operational delivery and have some cross functional skills in marketing, sales, operations, finance, HR and quality management. They advise on new processes and operational strategy and provide guidance to clients on strategic/cross-functional issues. They may be studying for a Business qualification (MBA or DMS) and will have had leadership training.

Level 5s – Specialist Consultant

Specialist Consultants will have a similar skillset to Directing Consultants, but without man-management responsibility. Whilst they are not expected to routinely manage staff, they are capable of managing small project teams for a limited time. All other qualities and activities are as outlined under Level 5.

Level 6 – Practice Leader

In addition to the activities and skills detailed under Level 5, Directing Consultant, Practice Leader contributes to corporate business strategy and can run independent/international subsidiary. The Practice Leader carries responsibility for profit and loss and performance management. They lead on recruitment and identify and mentor ‘fast track’ employees. They are the internal ‘guru’ on all technical and business issues, mentoring Directing and Specialist Consultants and monitoring and developing staff training needs. They develop back office management and processes and are the Business Strategist. They are seen by clients as the ‘strategic partner’ and can research, conceive, develop and monitor strategy for both client and internal usage. They publish papers to advise staff and industry and speak at industry forums. They have comprehensive technical and business qualifications and proven leadership skills.

Interview Preparation

The interview process will depend on the role being applied for, however, commonly we will examine your achievements and experiences in sufficient detail as to ascertain whether a career with Ark is right for you and, indeed, for Ark. You should expect to have to talk in depth about your most important accomplishments, learning experiences, challenges and other key events in your professional career todate.

Interview Presentations

It is common for interviewees to be invited to present during the selection process.
These are the most common elements of our interview process, however, as you go through our recruitment stages, you may encounter other types of assessments. The right candidate will look at these as further opportunities to shine.

Resources for Applying – what we look for

We look for people who demonstrate a strong allegiance to our Values:

• Trust Advice
• Accessibility and Availability
• Partnership
• Accuracy
• Solutions

We also look for:

Integrity

Honesty and fairness are essential to the way we do business and how we interact with our clients and our peers. We are a company that keeps its promises.

Personal Impact

Ark consultants work with a wide range of individuals in their day-to-day jobs. Developing and implementing sound recommendations requires the involvement and support of these individuals. Skills in interacting with people in sometimes tough situations are critical to driving distinctive client impact.

Technical Problem Solving

Ark consultants help clients to solve workplace risk management problems in their business and implement the solutions. This requires excellent listening skills, as well as a clear understanding of what our clients are looking to achieve. We also look for strong technical know-how, coupled with creativity and a good, practical sense of what works and does not work in order to ensure we deliver excellent solutions.

Customer Satisfaction

Customer satisfaction is the source of employee, shareholder, supplier and community benefits. We look for people who strive to exceed customer expectations through continuous improvement in quality, service, productivity and time compression.

All of our consultants are well-rounded individuals, who have a good mix of these skills and are fun to work with. This is what makes them and Ark successful and valued by our clients. We look for the same mix of skills in our interviews.

CV Tips and Pointers

The initial stage of the recruitment process at Ark is a review of your CV. The CV will be used to help us to determine who should be invited to interview. Therefore, it is important that your CV is a true and up-to-date reflection of you and your achievements.

Your CV should not only accurately reflect your accomplishments to date, but also provide some sense of scale of those achievements and the importance they hold for you. We should be able to gain a good feel for who you are and what inspires and ignites you.

To assist, we have provided some pointers on writing a good CV. We hope you find this helpful in securing the opportunity you seek.

1. It is advisable to tailor your CV to the employer you are sending it to.
2. Your CV should be neatly typed and clearly laid out.
3. Use a reasonable font size (e.g. size 10 or larger) and allow some margin around the text for reviewer’s notes.
4. Keep the formatting simple.
5. Write clearly and ensure to check your spelling and grammar.
6. Include your name and contact details at the top, with daytime and evening telephone numbers and an email address.
7. Detail your prior jobs (where applicable) in reverse, chronological order with your most recent role at the top.
8. It is advised that dates are on the left hand side. You should be ready and able to explain any gaps in your career or educational history.
9. Keep your CV succinct. Be concise, but not incomplete.
10. Avoid use of jargon.