Gentoo Group is undergoing significant internal transformations, reshaping how it operates and serves its community. Workday’s marketing manager, Elouise Pollard-Burgon, spoke to Samantha England (head of HR) and Paul Wright (finance director) from Gentoo about their ambitious plans and transformative changes.
Embracing transformation
Gentoo is leading a technological shift in the housing sector, moving from traditional, on-premise systems to a modern, cloud-based platform from Workday. This transition isn’t just about adopting new tools but about enhancing efficiency, automating processes and reinvesting savings into services and developments.
Paul Wright, finance director, Gentoo Group, said, “We’re looking to ride the wave of innovation through technology, leveraging automation and efficiency to improve outcomes for our residents and staff. The goal is to invest in leading-edge technologies in order to become a sleeker and more profitable organisation that serves everyone better.”
Gentoo’s transformation isn’t just driven by innovation; it’s also deeply cultural. Over the past two years, the organisation has redefined its values and improved staff engagement. This bottom-up initiative involving over 100 members of staff has led to the creation of a new set of values that are now being embedded into the organisation’s operations.
Samantha England, head of HR, Gentoo Group, said, “The world of work is changing rapidly and we need to remain dynamic and adapt alongside these shifts. Our colleagues have a major impact on our customers through the service they deliver so it’s vital that we give them the right tools and support. This transformation isn’t only about improving service but also about enhancing staff morale and culture.”
Streamlined operations
A major part of Gentoo’s transformation involves consolidating multiple legacy systems into a single, unified data model on Workday. This move is set to revolutionise Gentoo’s operations, enabling a self-service approach and equipping staff with real-time, accurate data. This not only strengthens collaboration but also provides assurance during discussions with internal stakeholders and external agencies.
England said, “We’re breaking down silos and thinking ‘cross process’, which is helping us build stronger relationships across the organisation. This approach will unlock a lot of value for us.”
Skills and talent
Gentoo’s transformation isn’t only focused on internal outcomes; it also has a vision to bridge the digital skills gap in Sunderland and create opportunities for future generations.
England said, “We want to create exciting careers in the North East. We’ve already established our Trades Academy for apprentices and now we’re focused on expanding into the technology space. It’s about offering learning and development opportunities for both the current and future workforce by equipping them with essential skills.”
Gentoo’s ongoing transformation and commitment to innovation are paying off in remarkable ways. By focusing on advanced technology, bridging digital skills gaps and fostering a culture of continuous learning, Gentoo is setting a benchmark for the housing sector and making a difference both within and beyond the organisation.
Eloise Pollard-Burgon is the marketing manager at Workday.
