Awards and training
On 2nd October we launched our industry-leading training programme called Know Your Skills, Grow Your Skills. This has been rolled out to staff and all of our suppliers this month so read on to find out more about this incredible initiative that has taken many months (even years!) to develop.
This month we also announce the Supplier of the Quarter awards for the quarter ended 30th September and we’ve published a new opinion piece that looks at excesses and their impact on property claims management.
Know Your Skills | Grow Your Skills
On 2nd October we formally launched our industry-leading programme of continuous professional development for all our People – staff and suppliers. Called Know Your Skills | Grow Your Skills (KYS | GYS) this programme is used to induct and continuously train our directly employed staff and all our growing supply chains (MA Assist building repair suppliers, Virtus Validations surveyors and Revival licensees).
Over the past two years MA Group has invested in a competency-based training and continual professional development programme (CPD). Consisting of over 150 skills-based modules that include face to face training, online training and tutor led courses, we believe our KYS|GYS programme is the most comprehensive approach to CPD for staff and supply chains in the UK property claims management industry.
KYS|GYS enhances the existing comprehensive induction programme for all new staff and now extends to suppliers. The programme is designed to enhance the career/partnership that staff and suppliers have with MA Group by positively supporting the development of skills, knowledge, experience and attainment of qualifications specific to every role.
MA Group already has an established partnership with BDMA to promote the achievement of technical qualifications across our 33 (and growing) Revival licensees. And our recent accreditation as Chartered Building Consultancy from the CIOB (Chartered Institute of Building) gives us access to the CIOB’s Training Partnership, where we can develop bespoke training, learning and development plans for staff and suppliers.
MA Group is proud to launch this commitment to ongoing investment in all our People, one of our most important strategic assets. If you’d like to know more about KYS|GYS please get in touch.
MA Assist Supplier of the Quarter
Congratulations to Redbrick Property Solutions for winning MA Assist Supplier of the Quarter for the second quarter on a row.
Redbrick is a relatively new contractor for MA Assist although Geoff Barnard and the team are very experienced in the field. This is a highly organised and customer-focussed contractor that consistently achieves 5-star status but still constantly looks to improve. Redbrick has received NO complaints since joining our network at the beginning of the year, which considering the amount of work they do is simply amazing. They are very good at providing honest feedback supported by evidence which is useful for MA Assist as a business. The team has a desire to do things correctly and efficiently and it is this that drives such fantastic performance day-in, day-out.
Virtus Surveyor of the Quarter
Well done to Mike Davies, our latest Virtus Supplier of the Quarter.
Mike is a consistent 5-star surveyor for Virtus whose positive outlook and attitude in general makes him a pleasure to work with. The speed and quality of Mike’s reporting is excellent and he has proved himself to be a valuable resource for us. Not only is Mike doing a great job with the work we’ve given him, but he’s also recommended new surveyors to join Virtus in areas that have historically been difficult to recruit in. Mike, you’re doing a marvellous job for Virtus and we’re so pleased to be able to give you this award. Congratulations.
Revival Licensee of the Quarter
This quarter’s winner of Revival Licensee of the Quarter is Revival Cumbria and North East.
Darren and the team in Cumbria have delivered a 5-star service for the last three months. This is no mean feat considering they have been supporting another branch at the opposite end of the country – this literally means that going the extra mile to help out is more like going the extra 300 miles to help out! The team continues to receive excellent feedback from clients across the board and they are always dependable. Also, they’ve managed to do all of this whilst delivering brilliant Trevor results, proving that using the science of drying really works and delivers for our clients and their customers. Huge congratulations to Darren, Carroll, Richard, Mark, Lewis and Michael for this outstanding achievement.
For he’s a jolly good fellow!
On 20th October our CEO, Paul Hayman, graduated as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) at Painter’s Hall in London.
At the same time, MA Group was formally welcomed into the CIOB as a Chartered Building Consultancy and Training Partner.
Here is Paul in all his finery, looking nothing like the carpenter he started out as. Congratulations Paul from us all at MA Group.
Moderating our excesses
A couple of weeks ago we issued a new opinion piece that looks at how the challenges around excesses affect the management of property claims and complaint ratios and gives details on what MA Group has done to alleviate them. Our analysis identifies some interesting trends and challenges some of the recent assumptions in the industry regarding the impact of the cost of living crisis.The paper also provides details on the digital solutions we have introduced to streamline the process and enhance the customer journey.
If you missed it you can read it on our website by CLICKING HERE.
Annual awards lunch – save the date
Our annual awards lunch will be taking place on 25th January 2024, at the same beautiful venue as last year – Chartered Accountant’s Hall in Moorgate, London. We will be celebrating the incredible work that our suppliers do for MA Group Property Claims and New Homes Customer Care. If you would like to join us please get in touch with Sally-Ann Johnson.
MA Group MAD Awards
We had so many nominations for the MAD awards in September that we ended up with three winners. Congratulations to Caitlyn Murray, Katie Thane and David Shimwell.
Caitlyn Murray, Claims Technician, had two nominations in the month praising her ability to move claims along, using her initiative to tackle escalations and tricky claims with a positive attitude and supporting our suppliers in getting their jobs closed. Well done Caitlyn.
Katie Thane has been praised by our largest client for her excellent work managing their account. Katie has only been working for MA Group for about ten months, having joined us as part of the Chem-Dry team. Despite her lack of experience in building reinstatement she has got to grips with the intricacies of our largest client, understanding the business model and showing passion and commitment to do the best possible job. Keep up the good work Katie.
David Shimwell has excelled in his new role as Group Procurement Director. We don’t know how he has done it, but so far he has signed up 25 new suppliers across all our supply chains, with another eight in the process of being signed up. This is making a hugely positive impact on our capacity, supporting our growth and ensuring that the spirit of partnership and support is clear from the start. One new recruit recently had this to say:
“Firstly, can we thank all at MA Assist for making us feel so welcome yesterday. We genuinely left feeling part of the family and are excited to contribute to your ongoing journey…” . Marvellous!
