Best in Class

Alchemy Technology Services has been named one of the top 30 UK Best Workplaces in just two and a half years of operating. Here John Harkin, CEO, tells Emma Deighan exactly why the company is deserved of that ranking.

Based on confidential employee surveys, Alchemy achieved some of the highest scores among the 183 companies listed in the UK Best Workplaces list 2021.

The ranking is compiled by Great Place to Work, a global authority on workplace culture. Since 1992 it has surveyed over 100 million employees globally and has used those insights to define what element makes a great workplace, and Derry-based Alchemy is one of the elite to make it onto the list.

A flat management structure, a noncompetitive promotion process, a collaborative working environment, transparency and additional benefits are just some of the positives staff listed when undertaking the survey.

“We have a basic philosophy, a vision and a small number of investors who came on board when I started the business who are committed to that vision,” John begins.

“Alchemy is about transformation. We use the tech and insurance sector as a vehicle to not only transform the industry but transform this part of Ireland and, more importantly, transform the lives of people that join us, their extended family and their community.”

There’s a distinctive difference in the way this business nurtures its staff, John says. Everything from training to promotions operates outside of the norm and it all harks back to John’s philosophy of enriching the lives of the employee and their environs.

“What we’re finding is that if we really focus on people becoming the best version of themselves, they are happy employees and they enrich their own lives and those around them.

“This culture starts from day one in the academy where we train new talent. When they come in they meet me and that’s the first thing I discuss; the culture,” he adds.

The company has just advertised for a new intake of 20 recruits for its next Academy as well as 10 roles for experienced insurance software professionals who will come in at a senior level, bringing its team to 150 people.

They will be needed as growth is on the cards, which will support the business’ drive to replace old insurance systems of a bygone era.

“That’s called the Legacy System. That was the early investment in insurance tech but it’s now outdated. I suppose you could liken it to an old coloured TV compared to what we have now,” John explains.

“So there’s this massive effort to replace those systems to create what today’s modern customer needs. One of our projects, in Denmark, will be a seven-year process and those companies we deal with are delighted by capabilities and that comes down to having a great team both technically and culturally.”

He says his approach to training new recruits is also different to the norm, adding: “We train our people to be certified by industry standards and it could be up to six months before we put them into a billable role. And that’s different from other firms. Some businesses will hire and throw new trainees into the deep end and they sink, but our staff have the expertise and the gravitas.

“And then we have that global stage that we work on. That’s unique and it makes our staff unique because they are certified globally.”

The next Academy will mark the seventh one for Alchemy. After this, recruits will work their way through a process of levels – from Bronze to Platinum – each representing different pay scales from £20,000 with a 20% bonus to over £80,000 plus bonuses.

“We don’t do internal competition or competitiveness and this works for Alchemy. It’s a very different world from when I started in IT. You’re not locked away at a level; you’re part of a team. And you get a say in your promotion to the next level. We also pay well. We want our staff to stay and they do,” says John.

Eddie and Anne Marie McGoldrick.

And word is getting out. New recruits are relocating to be part of that culture, from as far away as Belfast and Fermanagh, as well as Donegal.

“Interestingly those people are moving here. They’re not commuting and it’s great to see that and see our young people buying properties in the area.”

For those who believe it’s too good to be true, the firm’s latest accolade of being one of the UK’s greatest workplaces mitigates any doubt.

“We put the cat among the pigeons with the way we work. Our salaries, our promotion systems are so good, they make people unsure if they can believe us.”

But they can. The ranking says so. As too do staff testimonials.

“The flat management structure we have is one of the more unique characteristics of Alchemy. Being trusted to deliver on your work with no one looking over your shoulder provides all staff with a high level of responsibility and increased professionalism. I’ve noticed this translates into my personal life as well and things that might have caused me anxiety/ stress a few years ago, no longer seem to faze me at all,” one member of staff said.

Another staff member surveyed added: “There are a plethora of things that are unique about Alchemy. Their promotions are not competitive; they are based on your own individual performance. This fosters a collaborative workplace environment.”

“The drive to support local is amazing. The benefits as an employee are great. The open and transparent nature. Both relating to progression and also regular honest and realistic updates from the CEO/CFO about how the business is doing. Having no middle management and letting people take control of their own careers is also quite unique and gives people a sense of empowerment,” said another.

Speaking about occupying a spot in that coveted top 30 Great Places to Work list, John said: “We are delighted to have achieved that place on this year’s list. We have worked hard to create the workplace we have.

“We have grown the company from two employees in 2018 to over 100 at the end of 2020 and we’re just getting started.

“Our staff have progressed at an extraordinary rate, some doubling their salaries in two years through promotions and progressions and the majority seeing anywhere between a 25-50% pay rise at the end of their first year with us. We have proven we have industry leading opportunities and salaries for people locally.”

John Harkin’s unique philosophy can be attributed to not just his love for giving back to his hometown of Derry, but also his 30-year history in consulting and IT. He has travelled extensively, working for firms including KPMG and PwC.

He’s been at the helm of many tried and tested models of working and has created what he believes is the best one to improve and develop the North West.

He explains; “Our society has been through a trauma and that trauma has been passed on from generation to generation and it does affect our behaviour and thinking, and I want Alchemy to provide a great opportunity for our people to understand how their thinking and behaviour translates into the real world.

“We’re making a big push this year to mentor our people so they can see it’s about the person you are in work and life, and that leads to a great place to work. It’s like a family. We all know the benefits of growing up in a nurturing loving family and how that is good for everyone, including society,”

“Our staff have progressed at an extraordinary rate, some doubling their salaries in two years through promotions and progressions and the majority seeing anywhere between a 25-50% pay rise at the end of their first year with us. We have proven we have industry leading opportunities and salaries for people locally.”

NI WATER TAKING CAREERS VIRTUAL IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MCS GROUP

CEO NI Water, Sara Venning.

This signature Virtual Job Fair in partnership with MCS Group, Northern Ireland’s leading specialist recruitment consultancy, will allow participants to discover the variety of roles and career paths within NI Water and the water industry as a whole.

NI Water is currently preparing to embark on its largest ever capital investment programme and has formulated an ambitious £2 billion, 6-year business plan.

With a signifi cant investment in people planned, NI Water want to showcase just how rewarding and exciting working in the water industry is. NI Water is one of NI’s largest employers and 1,400 people can’t be wrong. As well as building NI Water employer brand awareness, this event will showcase and enable access to a highly experienced senior leadership team. Kicking off the event will be NI Water CEO, Sara Venning, who will deliver the keynote speech giving participants an overview of the business and the amazing career opportunities available across NI Water’s Directorates: Asset Delivery, Customer and Operations Division; Finance and Regulation; Business Improvement and Human Resources. Participants of the event will be able to view fresh and exciting jobs from Engineering to Scientifi c, Project Management to Data Analytics, Accountancy to Operations, offering roles at all levels from graduate to senior leadership positions. They will hear fi rst-hand about company culture, objectives and values, who is hiring across the NI Water departments and what they are looking for.

As well as being able to interact with hiring mangers delving into the environment and career paths within each of their departments, there are breakout sessions and expert keynote speakers covering topics such as Asset Management, Water and Wastewater Strategy, Strategic Planning, Capital Delivery and Innovation.

Louise Smyth, MD of MCS Group, and her team are building considerable momentum in virtual recruitment events. “The future of physical events has evolved. In the past year we have held online careers roadshows and meet ups for a number of clients and going forward we see some events remaining fully virtual or using a hybrid-model. Either way by helping organisations engage larger audiences we have had some brilliant results.

NI Water is looking for talent across the organisation. The work they do and the careers they offer will be brought to life by this event and as a recruitment partner our aim is to increase the scale of reach.”

If you want to fi nd a purposeful career and get to know your future team, it couldn’t be easier.

This online career event hosted by ND Events, the industry leading Virtual and Live Events Management experts, is taking place live on Tuesday 25th May 2021 at 10am and is also available on demand. Registration link https://niwcareers.com/registration/

MCS Group’s Louise Smyth.