Listen: As an employee-owned business, AG Parfetts and Sons ensures that its benefits strategy reflects the interests of its employees.
In the past few years, the cash and carry business has adapted its offering in recognition of the impact that the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic had on employees’ mental and financial wellbeing.
Louise Slater, head of HR and compliance, discusses the some of the changes and new benefits that have been introduced to better support the AG Parfetts and Sons workforce.
At a glance
AG Parfetts and Sons is an employee-owned wholesale cash and carry business, with a customer base predominately made up of independent retail convenience stores.
It has typical head office roles encompassing HR, accounts, IT, and marketing. It also has trading and buying teams, and depots made up of management teams, team leaders, supervisors, general assistants for replenishment, checkout, pickers, delivery drivers and cashiers.
The business currently has around 900 employees, but this will rise to nearly 1,000 after its new depot opens in Birmingham later this year.
The average employee age is 40; the youngest employee is 16 and the oldest is 80.
The average length of service is 6.5 years, although it has more than 90 employees with over 20 years service, and five employees with over 35 years service.
Primary business objectives that impact employee benefits
- To ensure the right benefits are in place for both current employees and to attract new talent into the business.
- To have a greater push on communications of benefits, to be assisted by the launch of an app in October .
Career history
Louise Slater joined AG Parfetts and Sons in 2013 as HR and training manager, and became head of HR in 2015. She has held previous positions in HR ranging from personnel assistant, to HR manager and now head of HR. Slater’s background spans multiple industries, including manufacturing, IT services, property development and hotels.
On her career achievements, Slater says: “There are a number of key achievements, such as gaining Investors In People (IIP) status in a business, and being part of a team opening two new hotels, but I think my proudest achievement is being able to work closely with people and help coach them and watch them grow and develop within their own careers, it’s very rewarding.
“I have recently set up and introduced the Limitless programme within Parfetts which develops young talent to be our future managers and leaders. I’m very proud of the four employees on the programme, they are already progressing so well.”