CONTINUOUS GROWTH FOR SPECIALIST EAST YORKSHIRE ESTATES CONSULTANCY

An independent specialist estates consultancy born in East Yorkshire has become one of the fastest-growing businesses of its kind in the country.

Shared Agenda has now worked for a range of organisations from Newcastle to London, while turnover has more than tripled and continues to grow since the business was established in 2013.

The team has grown to 19 employees from just four seven years ago, including appointing four new team members in recent months.

Former Health Secretary and Hull West and Hessle MP Alan Johnson has recently been reappointed as Independent Chair of Shared Agenda and said he has watched the business grow with pride.

He said: “Shared Agenda is one of Yorkshire’s best-kept business secrets. This is a company that combines private sector nous with a public service ethos.

“As Chair for the last three years, I’ve been particularly impressed by the ethical approach of the Shared Agenda team under the inspirational leadership of Jo Barnes.

“The creation of three new graduate jobs in a difficult economic climate demonstrates the company’s success to date as well as it’s confidence in the future.”

Shared Agenda provides strategic property advice, business case development, delivery management, project management and more, drawing on the team’s wealth of expertise to suggest appropriate, deliverable and affordable estates solutions for its customers.

The business has also been appointed to national frameworks and works with a variety of health partners including primary care, community, mental health and acute commissioners, and blue light organisations, providing site options, strategies and new developments.

Cameron Wood and Aidan Wickenden have joined Shared Agenda as Graduate Development Managers, and Megan Cawkwell has joined as an Operations Admin Assistant. Bethany Keegan is the latest of the newest recruits and was offered a permanent position after completing two month’s work experience.

Cameron, who is originally from Skipton in North Yorkshire and studied Geography at the University of Hull, said: “While I was studying for my degree in Hull, I heard about Shared Agenda and saw what a fast-paced, growing business it was. I love the East Yorkshire area, but I don’t want to be limited to one place forever.

“Taking up this role at Shared Agenda means I can live locally with the potential to travel and work in other areas of the country as the business continues to develop and grow. I’m delighted to have this opportunity and look forward to working alongside a passionate and motivated team to support our clients.”

Shared Agenda is part of Sewell Group, a business named in the Sunday Times Top 100 Companies to Work For list. This year saw the company awarded its eighth Best Companies accreditation and fifth appearance in the Top 100 list. It also retained its Best Companies 3 Star ‘extraordinary’ accreditation, which recognises the highest standard of workplace engagement.

Jo Barnes, Managing Director at Shared Agenda, said: “One of the reasons we got such a good engagement score from Best Companies is because we invest heavily in staff training and development.

“The Best Companies survey completed by Shared Agenda staff showed they 100% love being part of the team and they feel their role is valuable to their future.

“We have supported our team through academic and professional qualifications, ensuring we can give our customers the best service. Our most recent investment was to ensure more of our team were trained to Better Business Case Practitioner standard giving us 11 qualified Practitioners.

“It’s also important to me and our Board that our company leaves a positive legacy. We’ve grown in a way that has enabled us to invest heavily in the development of our team and support the communities we serve in lots of different ways whilst helping our customers to deliver dramatic service transformation.

“Not one to rest on my laurels, though; I think we can go on to do so much more, so watch this space.”