A Place that Cares | Foundation | UK | Lendlease

Simon Burwood,
Operations Director, Consulting

I’VE WORKED AT LENDLEASE FOR…

Almost 12 years. I’ve had several roles in that time in various business units and central functions, but from where I started, I’ve come back full circle to our Consulting business.

TO ME, WELLBEING IS ABOUT…

Personal health, whether that’s mental or physical, and how it impacts your happiness, comfort and contentment in life.

FROM MY EXPERIENCE…  

When I became a father, I was interested to explore Lendlease’s progressive and accommodating mindset around wellbeing. As a parent, I wanted an active relationship with, first, my daughter’s nursery and nowadays her school. It was important to me to be there to drop her off some days and collect her on others.

It’s fantastic to now comment that in the four years since I introduced these small adjustments into my working pattern, I’ve never experienced anything other than support in respect of my routine and the business has absolutely accommodated my personal requirements. If you go back a generation or two, a father wouldn’t traditionally get that opportunity. You wouldn’t see too many dads lining up to collect their kids from school. Of course, the quid pro quo is that I also work outside of regular office hours to keep on top of my work.

It’s important to me and my family that I share responsibility for the school run with my wife, thereby ensuring both of us can pursue our careers.  I also think it’s important that others in the business see me doing this and perhaps it will inspire some to think about and work on their wellbeing.

MY LAST WELLBEING DAY…

Was a family trip to Legoland. Weekends fly by and it’s nice to be able to change the pace with an extra day outside of annual leave.  As a family, we don’t often get a spare day! 
People will be more productive if they have some time away from the office to re-charge their batteries and it’s great we’re allowed the opportunity to do this.

I LOOK AFTER MY WELLBEING BY…

Hopping off the tube a stop early to walk to the office. Just a little bit of exercise in the morning makes me feel better and I can get my morning coffee on the way in.

LENDLEASE IS THE PLACE FOR ME BECAUSE…

It has an extraordinarily altruistic outlook for its employees’ wellbeing. Mental health still isn’t talked about enough in the industry but we’re on the front foot. The people I spend my time with in the business certainly talk honestly and openly about it, which is great.

Sherin Aminossehe,
Head of Offices, Europe

I JOINED LENDLEASE…

In the New Year. I usually divide my time between International Quarter London in Stratford and our Regent’s Place offices. I’m currently working with the wider offices team on our strategy, which will be a collaborative effort. My aim is for everyone who associates themselves with the wider offices business to get a say on how we shape the strategy in the next couple of months.

TO ME, WELLBEING MEANS…

Being happy and content about what you’re doing and where you’re heading in life. It’s about looking at the wider picture – that live work balance that we all strive to achieve. We spend so much of our lives in the workplace, it’s really important that it meets all our needs.

FROM MY EXPERIENCE…

Wellbeing Leave is a brilliant concept at Lendlease, where we get to take days off to focus on our health and wellbeing. It’s important that senior leaders are role models for making use of it. Everybody needs a bit of time out.

WHAT MAKES ME SMILE IS…

Being able to put my son to bed in the evening. I also really love to draw and do photography. For me, drawing is a type of meditation because I don’t think about anything else whilst I’m drawing, which I find really relaxing.

LENDLEASE IS THE PLACE FOR ME BECAUSE…

I love the values of the company.

Lauren Tenwick,
Assistant Commercial Manager

I’VE WORKED AT LENDLEASE FOR…

Almost a year and a half, on our Devonshire Square project in central London. Working on the project, no two days are the same and I’m involved in the commercial aspects of the project, from payments to managing sub-contractor accounts. 

TO ME, WELLBEING MEANS…

Having a good overall state of health and happiness and being content with your day-to-day life – both physically and mentally. It’s something that directly impacts both our personal and work life which is why I believe it is so important to enhance our own and others wellbeing.

FROM MY EXPERIENCE…

Wellbeing is placed up there with health and safety at Lendlease and I think that really makes us stand out from other employers in the industry. There’s genuine care about how we feel and that’s evident through the initiatives offered. 

I’m a Lendlease-trained Mental Health First Aider and it’s been one of the most beneficial courses I’ve ever done. I think mental health is still not talked about as openly in the construction industry as it should be. Having friends who have experienced poor mental health, I jumped at the chance to be given the tools to help someone in that situation. 

FOR MY LAST WELLBEING DAY…

I took a spontaneous trip to Cambridge with my boyfriend. It was great to have that extra day to take some time for myself. 

WHAT MAKES ME SMILE IS…

Spending time with family and friends. I think taking time for yourself can really help clear the mind and if it’s been a stressful day, I find exercise a good way to let off steam – I also like the odd pamper day. 

LENDLEASE IS THE PLACE FOR ME BECAUSE…

There is such an encouraging and supportive culture here – not only for my career, but for me as a person. I feel that I’m truly valued and part of the business. 

Angus Walton
Assistant Development Manager

I’VE WORKED AT LENDLEASE FOR…

Just over two months. I work on the Milano Santa Giulia (MSG) project in Italy. It’s a very exciting project – our first urban development project in Italy, which includes retail, residential, commercial office, recreation and leisure uses. Right now, one of our highest priorities is getting the office pre-let.

TO ME, WELLBEING MEANS…

Physical, mental and social health – they’re all connected. I think people can often focus on just one and neglect the others, although society is coming to understand the importance of looking after mental wellness. 

FROM MY EXPERIENCE…

I’ve definitely noticed how progressive Lendlease is in this space. There’s a clear want to take care of its employees and I don’t feel that we’ll ever get complacent about that. Other businesses should be looking at Lendlease as a trendsetter and what we’re doing around health and wellbeing.

WHAT MAKES ME SMILE IS…

Training in mixed martial arts, which I’ve been doing for a number of years. It’s an important part of how I unwind and de-stress. I also love cooking – getting lost in a recipe is very therapeutic. 

LENDLEASE’S WELLBEING DAYS…

Reinforce our commitment to health and wellbeing – I’d never even heard of a ‘wellbeing day’ before I came to Lendlease.

LENDLEASE IS THE PLACE FOR ME BECAUSE…

We’ve built some of the world’s most important and significant buildings. The fact that we’re entrusted to build the 9/11 memorial or Parliament Houses in London highlights the type of company we are. You can clearly see the level of care we pour into each project – that’s the kind of company I want to learn and grow my career with. 

Alexandra Brown
Senior Development Manager

I’VE WORKED AT LENDLEASE FOR…

10 years. During that time, I have worked across a number of our projects in a development management capacity and recently joined the Residential business.

TO ME, WELLBEING IS ABOUT…

Being in a good place. It’s about having the energy, enthusiasm and resilience to undertake the task at hand, whether at home or at work. If you’re in a good place, then no matter what life throws at you, you will get there. 

FROM MY EXPERIENCE…

Friends are envious of the programmes we offer and the culture we’ve developed around health and wellbeing. There is probably even more we could do, so I think it’s important that we continue to promote and prioritise good mental health, flexible working opportunities for all and family friendly policies.

Thinking about what will make life easier and having an employer who is committed to helping us be our best can be really empowering and I’ve found small changes can make a huge difference. I currently work a four-day week and I do some of that from home. Both my husband and I work flexibly as this is the only way that we can juggle two careers, two small children and a happy home.

Flexibility works both ways, between parents / partners and between employer and employee, and having that little bit of give and take is key. 

FOR MY LAST WELLBEING DAY…

I went to a yoga class and then attended a half day Italian cookery course before picking up the children and eating what I had made earlier in the day for tea!

WHAT MAKES ME SMILE IS…

Being a volunteer librarian at my daughter’s school. It’s hectic and full-on, but it’s a happy place and provides a different perspective on the world.  It is extremely rewarding to be able to give children one-to-one time to help improve reading skills and to help them explore new books.

My other fail-safes are enjoying a G&T with friends, learning to play the piano, down-time with my family and most importantly, a good night’s sleep.

LENDLEASE IS THE PLACE FOR ME BECAUSE…

Flexible working allows me and my husband to enjoy our careers but at the same time enable us – and our children – to have a life resembling some form of normality. Most of the time!

If you’re interested in a role like Alexandra’s, visit our Lendlease careers page here.