Wickland Westcott

UNITE - Retaining High Performers

UNITE, the UK's leading developer and manager of student accommodation, recently initiated a significant change programme. In line with a new strategic and operational vision, Wickland Westcott was commissioned to assist in streamlining the staffing structure, requiring multi-role assessment centres designed to assess a high volume of internal and external candidates.

Wickland Westcott worked closely with UNITE to identify the behaviours that were critical for success in the new roles, and the commonalities between them. A detailed job analysis resulted in the development of a comprehensive set of tailored materials that could also be used for future appointments. The assessment centres were then carefully designed to ensure the appropriate level of challenge in order to identify the right people for the new roles.

UNITE's senior leaders were given training on core assessor skills in order to ensure that fair, accurate selection decisions were made. Feedback from candidates following the assessment centres showed that the face-validity of the materials helped put them at ease, and genuinely gave them an opportunity to demonstrate their true capabilities.

Sarah Grant, HR Manager for the North, commented:

"Wickland Westcott's professional but personable approach enabled the project to be turned around to meet very tight timescales. Their flexibility and genuine passion for the successful delivery of this critical project made working with them extremely enjoyable, and led to a seamless process being implemented across our organisation".