Preston Baker Academy launched
Preston Baker’s Head of Talent Zoe Johnson has one major goal; to attract, nurture and retain the best talent in the industry, and she is succeeding.
During lockdown, Preston Baker has revolutionised its structure, with the focus on enabling individual employees to flourish doing what they do best and in doing so give the best possible service.
“We have launched the Preston Baker Academy, offering openings for graduates with a very structured induction and training programme and clearly defined progression routes through the company,” said Zoe.
She added: “With a transparent salary band of £20,000 to £25,000 within the Academy, plus a quarterly bonus of £500 and other incentives, it’s a really good package for individuals wanting to work in the industry.”
The Preston Baker Academy includes a nine-week induction programme, 6-month estate agent university course (all done online and paid for by Preston Baker), in-role training, shadowing roles across the business, mentoring and coaching, incentives including prizes, gifts, and company-wide events and activities.
“Since the start of the year we have had 10 promotions from the Preston Baker Academy,” said Zoe.
“I am always looking for people who share the Preston Baker values. You don’t necessarily need any experience in property as we can teach that.
“It is a very high volume, target-driven environment, but offers great rewards for the right people. We are always on the look-out for individuals with attitude and personality that we can nurture as we can’t teach those things.”
Zoe herself is just embarking on her CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) Level 5 Diploma, funded by Preston Baker, and other employees are undergoing professional training paid for by the company.
Zoe joined Preston Baker as Talent Acquisition Manager in April 2019 and was promoted to Head of Talent in August 2020. In the time since she started with Preston Baker, the company has doubled its full-time head count to 117 employees.
Zoe, who was previously Director of HR, Recruitment and Training for The Skills Network, said Preston Baker was totally committed to helping individuals.
“We want to help people become the best versions of themselves and the new structure, with clear progression routes and full training support, facilitates this.
“We are also very much a team and support each other fully. It’s been a tough year through lockdown and we have all been there for each other throughout and have regular company-wide, team and individuals calls.”
Zoe added: “For me Preston Baker is the best in the industry. Our new streamlined structure offers individuals clear career opportunities. We have spent a great deal of time benchmarking our offer and it is highly competitive.
“We all work hard, but we also ensure that there is plenty of interaction and fun too, and we recognise the importance of having a good work-life balance.”
Zoe, who lives in Pontefract and is married to secondary school teacher Ross and Mum to their two sons, Kai and Ruben, knows herself how important having a work-life balance is.
“In my spare time I love Olympic weight lifting: give me a barbell to lift and I am happy!”
Zoe has raised over £30,000 for charity in the last seven years and has sky-dived across Melbourne.
For now, Zoe is kept busy when not working, with family, their Toy Poodle Trixie, rabbit Bella, fish and African land snails!
“A healthy work-life balance promotes productivity and we encourage this. We are a very family-orientated business, with events such as dog walks and summer barbeques where the whole family is invited along.”
If you would like to find out more about job opportunities at Preston Baker Estate Agents, please contact Zoe. Email: zoe.johnson@prestonbaker.co.uk Phone: 07741 896395
Preston Baker Estate Agents covers Leeds, York, Selby and Doncaster areas.
Find out more about Preston Baker Estate Agents.
Pictures show Zoe, her family and friends.
