Heritage and People’s Choice Limited
Heritage and People’s Choice Limited has been selected as an Employer of Choice in The Australian Business Awards 2023. The Australian Business Award for Employer of Choice [EOC] recognises organisations that develop workplaces that maximise the full potential of their workforce through established policies and practices which demonstrate effective employee recruitment, engagement and retention.
“We’re very proud of the culture we have built at Heritage and People’s Choice, and equally proud to receive this Employer of Choice recognition. It’s important that we attract and retain great staff, as they play such a crucial role in delivering our renowned people first customer service.” Heritage and People’s Choice offers a range of attractive benefits for team members, including great training opportunities, discounts on banking products and services, recognition through the peer-driven Shine program, as well as plenty of opportunities to support the communities in which it operates. “Ensuring our team operates within an engaging culture allows them to do what they’re amazing at, which is providing quality products and service to our valued members. We exist to create a better future for our members, and the communities in which they live, and it’s our people who make this happen. Our culture is built on our values, and a key feature is the desire of our people to go the extra mile for both their colleagues and our members. Without the dedication and energy of our people, we couldn’t do what we do.”
Peter Lock, CEO - Heritage and People’s ChoiceHeritage and People’s Choice Limited is Australia’s largest customer-owned banking organisation. It was created in March 2023 by the merger of Heritage Bank and People’s Choice Credit Union, following a diligent and comprehensive program of work to bring the organisations together effectively from Day 1. Heritage Bank’s origins trace back to the formation of the Toowoomba Permanent Building Society in 1875, while People’s Choice began as the South Australian Public Service and Loans Society in Adelaide in 1949.
Just like its two foundational organisations, Heritage and People’s Choice is absolutely committed to making banking a force for good and not just profit. Heritage and People’s Choice is able to deliver on this commitment through the active support of the 1800 employees who deliver products and services through the organisation’s retail branches, contact centres, broker networks and digital banking platforms.
Strength of culture is recognised from the boardroom down as the engine that is driving the organisation’s success, and which is underpinned by the key values of Passion, Integrity, Authenticity, Respect, Trust and Care. These values apply equally to the way the organisation treats its employees, and how its people interact with each other, members, business partners, and the communities they serve.
Throughout the program of work leading up to the merger and the establishment of the new business, there has been a tremendous amount of focus on people and culture. This has ensured that in a relatively short period of time a significant number of relevant policies, procedures and initiatives that support being an Employer of Choice have been brought together; continuing to draw on our merger theme of ‘the best of two, to benefit you’. There have been deliberate, pivotal decisions to maintain and drive the bank’s supportive culture and establish ‘One Team’. Key foundational decisions included the establishment of organisation’s values and values program, coupled with the goal to lift employee engagement and actively monitor this through a series of pre- and post-merger engagement surveys, a dedicated Leadership Summit providing direction, and tools to bring to life the ‘One Team’ commitment as the first phase of the Heritage and People’s Choice roadmap to truly being ‘One Organisation’.
HPC is committed to supporting our people to be their very best and has brought together a range of career development opportunities, and ongoing training, coaching and support, to further the career potential of employees. This includes leadership development programs, mentoring programs and industry partnership and accreditation programs.
The health, safety and wellbeing of its people is a significant focus for Heritage and People’s Choice and it continues to build upon the great foundations of Heritage Bank and People’s Choice to develop and maintain a healthy, safe, secure and supportive environment for the workforce. A variety of awareness initiatives occur year-round but is driven day-to-day through activities by our Mental Health First Aid Ambassadors and Officers, our Employee Assistance Program and our Incidence Reporting platform. Heritage and People’s Choice has continued to advance its hybrid ways of working and continues to support its work-from-anywhere philosophy, underpinned by work-from-home assessments to ensure the safety of its people when away from their office workspaces.
As a customer-owned organisation, HPC is totally committed to acting in the best interests of its members and prioritising their needs ahead of the pursuit of profit. The bank also has a very strong belief in giving back to the community, protecting the environment, and supporting a wide range of worthy charitable, community and philanthropic causes. This is done with the active involvement of its people who have an opportunity to contribute through the Heritage Charitable Foundation, an employee volunteering program, and numerous community partnerships and initiatives.
For more information visit heritage.com.au & peopleschoice.com.au