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Blog by Dr. Shamir Ghumra, NHS Property Services Director of Responsible Business
Since joining NHS Property Services (NHSPS) as Director of Responsible Business in December last year, I wanted to reflect on my career of nearly 20 years in the industry, looking at why it’s important that a role such as mine exists today.
Often with jargon-heavy terms and new titles, it can be hard to understand what they mean and how they translate to actions within an organisation day-to-day. So, what does it mean for an organisation to be a responsible business (without the jargon) in 2023?
For me, I think responsible businesses should have a sense of duty about their role in, and impact on, society, and focus on building and maintaining a level of trust amongst customers, shareholders, stakeholders and the wider public. When thinking about including this into my own day-to-day, I try to bring my humanity, reason, and my alternative view to all interactions with others both within and external to the organisation. I believe these actions will then translate to the broader culture of the business.
For all businesses today, being responsible is more than a nicety, it’s a necessity. An organisation that can tell its own responsible business story is stronger, more diverse, more financially secure and a better place to work. It provides more social value into the markets it serves and does what it can to better the natural environment. Employees today want to work for organisations that have a clear purpose, one that contributes to society and creates meaningful work.
There are many challenges facing the NHS. At NHSPS we can help alleviate many of the non-clinical issues our customers face, help them with flexible spaces through our Open Space programme, free up bed spaces and have a material impact on the lives of people in the UK.
In my first few months at NHSPS, what has particularly struck me is the open and collaborative culture that is evident here. The business has been doing great things in recent years that fall under the responsible business umbrella from strengthening diversity, equity, and inclusion at the organisation, whilst also working to reduce the environmental impact of the NHS estate through the launch of its Green Plan. I see the opportunity to bring these threads together, build a strategic narrative for our business and fulfil our vision to be recognised as the best property and facilities provider to the NHS.
There is no one-size fits all approach to being a responsible business, and that is precisely the point.
Every organisation has a unique history, and so in every decision, we must consider what has happened before, as this always has a bearing upon what comes next. Most importantly, at the heart of all responsible businesses today must be a conviction for change: to keep striving to be more responsible.
If we take one of the multitude of issues as an example, race. When I was young, there seemed to be the mantra when dealing with racism that you must treat everyone the same. Let me tell you first hand that doesn’t feel very nice. The very part of you that is different is ignored, and you are expected to be the same or ‘normal’. It’s about a granular appreciation and respect for one another that takes time and effort, and a conscious decision to act and behave in a more responsible way.
At NHSPS, our buildings too require granular appreciation. There needs to be a tailored approach to the management of each, so they’re able to be the best they can. A responsible business makes the time, effort and provides the resource needed to attend to specific needs.
To those seeking to become a more responsible business it would be to determine where you are today, and plan out where you want to get to, by when. Of most importance, is to ask yourself why you want to do it. It is the why that will bring people along with you. Work with real data, understand the reality that people are facing within your organisation and elsewhere and have heart – be emotionally intelligent. Peter Drucker was onto something when he said: “Culture eats Strategy for Breakfast”; buy-in from across the organisation is essential to build and maintain a responsible business in 2023.
