Behind the H: Why People Stay, Grow and Return to Harwood

Long-term staff retention says a great deal about a business. It says something about culture, leadership, trust and the day-to-day experience of being part of a team.

At Harwood, many of our team members have been with the business for several years, seeing the company grow, adapt and evolve. In a specialist field such as building control, that continuity matters. It supports strong client relationships, encourages shared knowledge across the team and helps create a working environment where people feel valued and able to develop their careers.

To understand what makes Harwood a place where people choose to stay, grow and even return to, we spoke with several team members about their experiences.

Flexibility Without Pressure

A positive culture is not about expecting everyone to engage with the business in the same way. Different people thrive in different environments, and for Richard Jones, Building Control Surveyor, one of Harwood’s strengths is the balance it offers.

“There are opportunities such as networking and company events, but there’s no pressure to attend,” he explains. “That’s important — you can engage as much or as little as suits you.”

This reflects an important part of Harwood’s culture: people are trusted to contribute in ways that work for them.

Team members are encouraged to get involved, build relationships and represent the business, but there is also an understanding that involvement should feel genuine rather than forced. That flexibility helps create a working environment where people feel comfortable, respected and able to focus on doing their job well.

Building a Long-Term Career

For Harry Legister, Project Manager, his experience at Harwood has been shaped by seeing the business develop over time.

“I’ve worked with Ben Cheeseman (Commercial Director) and David Woodward (CEO) for quite a long time now, and the company has grown and changed a lot since the earlier days,” he says. “I have enjoyed working here; it’s been a good experience.”

Having worked with Ben and David for many years, Harry has seen the company evolve while continuing to build his knowledge and experience within the building control profession.

Having begun his career at just 17, he sees building control as a strong long-term path for those entering the construction industry today. His experience reflects the value of continuity in a profession where technical knowledge, sound judgement and trusted relationships develop over time.

A Great Team to Work With

For Vic Datlen, Senior Project Manager, the reason he has remained with Harwood for so many years is clear.

Vic joined in 2013 and has seen the business continue to grow. When asked what has made him stay so long, his answer came back to one thing: the people.

“The team — I really like the team here,” he says.

Earlier in his career, Vic moved roles every five to seven years as part of his professional progression. Having worked in managerial positions before, he is now happy in his role as a Senior Project Manager and values the relationships he has built.

“In my experience, people often stay in a job role because of the relationships. I believe clients and colleagues work with people they trust — it’s not just about the company; it’s about personalities too,” explains Vic.

That sense of trust is especially important in building control. Clients rely on experienced professionals who understand their projects, communicate clearly and provide consistency throughout the process. Internally, those same qualities help create a supportive team environment where colleagues can rely on one another.

Seeing the Difference After Leaving

Not every career path is completely linear. Sometimes, people leave a business to explore a new opportunity before realising what they valued about the place they left behind.

Darryl Meredith, Project Manager, has experienced this first-hand. Having left Harwood before returning, Darryl says the culture and support he experienced played an important part in his decision to come back.

“Harwood has a deep, family-type culture. The support from colleagues is exceptional, and the directors make you feel like part of the team.”

Darryl says the respect he received when leaving and the welcome he received on his return reinforced that sense of support.

“I was welcomed back without judgement for leaving and trying something new. Adjustments were also made to make sure I wasn’t overwhelmed with work when I returned.”

Having explored roles outside building control, Darryl says he now sees Harwood as the right place to continue developing his career.

“There is a lot of opportunity to progress and take on more responsibility. I now realise that progressing within Harwood is the path best suited to me.”

His experience reinforces something reflected across the wider team: culture is often felt most clearly in how people are supported and trusted.

A Workplace Built on Trust and Relationships

Across the conversations, several themes came through consistently: strong relationships, flexibility, opportunities to develop and trust in people to do their jobs well.

For Harwood, retaining experienced people is not about one initiative or benefit. It is about creating an environment where people can build meaningful careers, take on new responsibilities, and enjoy working with those around them.

As the business continues to grow, protecting that culture remains central to how Harwood operates.

For those considering a career in building control or looking for a supportive business in which to develop their experience, Harwood offers the opportunity to do meaningful work alongside people who care about what they do.

If you’d like to learn more about the available career opportunities at Harwood or to apply, visit our careers page.