Celebrating our People - Robert Tolley

Hi Robert, thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk about your role and how you've found working for VIVO for the past 7 months.

How long have you worked within the Built Estate environment?

20 Years (not counting honest!)

I started within the Defence environment with Interserve originally as a Project Manager. My career then evolved into the environmental space and I worked for Babcock as their Environmental Specialist. More recently it was with Carillion Amey, and subsequently Amey as the Sustainability Manager for the South West.

How have you found working for VIVO?

I was surprised at the positive initial engagement; as someone who has been through the TUPE process before, it hasn’t always been that way. The people are great, the appetite for a change in delivery is there, the ideas and ability are there and the support is there. There is a lot to go at and recruitment is vital to us making this progress.

How did you find the TUPE process (Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment)?

I’ve been through TUPE three times and it’s always a concerning time and naturally it can sometimes distract staff from delivering the service. Having that element of protection is really good and far better than any worries about redundancies. I think we can sometimes forget that TUPE is there to protect employees.

What do you most enjoy about your role and what do you find most challenging?

I really enjoy solving problems and finding solutions, especially navigating colleagues through the minefield of environmental legislation. I also enjoy being able to demonstrate suitable alternatives that we can deliver to our client.

I find recruitment most challenging, particularly when trying to find experienced staff. As a new company, there is a lot of do with lots to establish. It’s still early days and I know what a great organisation we will be once the team is fully in place.

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What are your priorities over the coming months?

Recruitment(!), gaining ISO Certification 14001 in Environmental Management, development of a sustainability strategy and implementation of a carbon reduction plan.

So you’re keeping very busy then Robert!

If you're interested in working with Robert, or would like to see any of the other roles available within VIVO, please see our list of current vacancies.