LGH Group - one of the UK’s leading lifting equipment rental companies and a family-owned business with over 55 years of history, has been leading the way in integrating social value into its company culture across its global headquarters. At the helm of this initiative is Kelly Clapperton, Group Head of HR Europe, who is dedicated to enhancing employee engagement and strengthening community ties through a range of social value efforts.
Kelly has taken her learnings from her army and human resources career - which has spanned working for companies such as Quaker Houghton to The Royal Household of TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall – to bring a sense of inclusivity and purpose to LGH’s social value initiatives.
LGH is known for its core values of honour, innovation, respect, and excellence (H.I.R.E). And as an international SME with over 150 employees, its approach to social value focuses on creating a positive impact on employees, customers, and the wider community. From charitable initiatives and professional development opportunities to employee engagement programmes, the company’s efforts go beyond traditional business operations. Kelly shares how social value is embedded in LGH’s mission, vision, and everyday practices.
Q. What does social value mean to LGH and why is it important?
A: At LGH, social value is about creating a positive impact on our employees, customers, and the wider community. It aligns with our core values - honour, innovation, respect, and excellence (H.I.R.E) - and reflects our commitment to making a meaningful difference beyond our business operations. This includes supporting our employees' growth, contributing to the community through charitable initiatives, and fostering an inclusive and engaged workplace.
As a family-owned business with over 55 years of history, we believe in building long-term relationships with our employees, customers, and communities. Our mission is to create a culture of growth where both our company and employees can achieve their full potential. Social value is an integral part of this vision, ensuring that we are not only a successful business but also a responsible and ethical organisation that gives back to society.
Our people are at the heart of everything we do. From the beginning, we’ve prioritised transparency, employee empowerment, and giving back to the community. We recognise that a company thrives when its people are engaged, and its community is strong. This has driven us to invest in social value initiatives that create a lasting impact.
Q: Can you share some examples of how LGH creates social value?
A: Absolutely. There are so many things we have done over the years as a company, but these are some of our highlights…
We have organised several charity events and food bank collections to support local communities especially over the Christmas period. Last year, we set up food boxes in each of our locations and our teams donated food and essentials for those in need. These items were then donated to local food banks, at a time when people needed support the most.
It’s no surprise that we fully support employee development through training and professional accreditation such as CIPD, LEEA and apprenticeships in IT and operations. On top of this, we collectively volunteer in the local community and offer work experience to local schools and colleges.
As a company we host parties and celebrations to foster team spirit in all locations regardless of the size of the team. We have also just returned from our annual ski trip in the French Alps. We offer this to all our employees - they sacrifice five days holiday, and the company pay for the whole trip – from travel and accommodation to ski hire.
We also encouraging employee-led engagement through our H.I.R.E Community. We also have H.I.R.E Fit, which is a group for exercise, biking, running and general sporting activities. H.I.R.E Fit also aligns with our private medical care which is provided as a benefit for all employees.
Q: What is the H.I.R.E Community, and how does it contribute to social value?
A: The H.I.R.E Community is our employee engagement forum established in September 2023. It’s a platform where employees from different departments and locations across Europe can voice their ideas, share feedback, and suggest new initiatives. They have a monthly budget that can be used for team lunches or community projects. It’s employee-led, so the ideas and initiatives are genuinely reflective of what people want to see happening in the company.
It’s been a game-changer. Because it’s employee-led, people feel empowered to contribute and take ownership of initiatives. Whether it’s celebrating birthdays, planning team-building activities, or volunteering, it creates a sense of belonging and purpose.
We also have a H.I.R.E Awards programme that allows employees to nominate their peers for demonstrating excellence in line with our core values. It’s independent of the usual manager-led recognition systems, and anyone in the company can nominate someone. Every quarter, the board reviews the nominations and selects winners, who receive vouchers and plaques. It’s been incredibly successful in encouraging peer recognition and enhancing motivation.
Q: What role does leadership play in driving social value at LGH Group?
A: Leadership is absolutely crucial. Our CEO and directors are very open and accessible, which fosters transparency and trust. They actively support initiatives that enhance employee engagement and give back to the community. The open-door policy, offering accessibility and support, make all the difference to our employees – they actually feel listened to. Q: How do you ensure that your social value initiatives are sustainable long-term?
A: We embed social value into our business strategy rather than treating it as a one-off initiative. We continually assess the impact of our programmes, gather feedback from employees, and adapt to changing needs. Our long-term investment in employee training, development, and community support ensures sustainability.
Q: How has focusing on social value impacted employee retention at LGH?
A: Our commitment to social value has significantly strengthened employee engagement and retention. Employees feel valued, empowered, and motivated when they see their contributions matter. The H.I.R.E Community and our training programmes have enhanced job satisfaction, leading to lower turnover rates and a more committed workforce.
Q. How does your company define and measure social value?
A: We define social value as the collective impact of our initiatives that contribute to employee well-being, community support, and environmental sustainability. We measure it through employee engagement levels, participation in initiatives like our H.I.R.E Community, feedback from employees and stakeholders, and the tangible outcomes of our charity events, training programmes, and sustainability efforts.
Q: What’s next for LGH’s social value efforts?
A: We are looking to expand our employee engagement programmes, enhance our training initiatives, and strengthen our community partnerships through collaborations with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) community, local schools, colleges, and businesses. We also plan to introduce new sustainability initiatives that align with our business goals and positively contribute to society.
Q: What advice would you give to other companies looking to create social value?
A: Start by listening to your employees and community. Engage them in the conversation and create initiatives that align with your company’s values and strengths. Focus on long-term impact rather than short-term efforts and integrate social value into your business strategy to ensure sustainability.
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