Corporate Social Responsibility

We take our responsibilities as an employer very seriously and aim to provide a positive work environment for all our staff, whether they work in factories, warehouses, depots or offices. Our culture emphasises the importance of individual accountability - the personal responsibility of each of us towards those we work with. We are proud of this culture, which encourages openness and transparency within the business and has been vital to its growth and development.

In December 2009, we were invited to enter Howdens Joinery for the Sunday Times "Best Companies to Work For 2010" award, which measures workplace engagement via an employee survey and an in-depth questionnaire. We reached the Top 25 of the "Big Companies" section, and were especially pleased to achieve a 75% rate of return on our employee questionnaires. (against the 29.5% minimum required).

In 2009/10, Howdens depots made around 1,750 donations to local good causes, which amounted to £599,000 across the Group. As well as cash donations and employee fundraising initiatives, the Group donated joinery and kitchen equipment to local schools, village halls, care homes, youth groups and sports clubs.