VEKA’s long-term commitment to health and wellbeing

By VEKA plc

22 Mar 2021

VEKA, the Burnley-based manufacturer of UPVC windows and doors, is one of the county’s largest employers.

The company takes the health and wellbeing of its employees seriously and here Gabriela Hammond, head of human resources, talks Lancashire Business View through its various efforts to support its workforce. 

Gabriela joined VEKA as HR manager in 2008 and then progressed to head of department by 2011. As a mother of a toddler, health and wellbeing are high on Gabriela’s agenda both professionally and personally. During her time at VEKA she has led several initiatives including introducing healthcare cash plans for all employees.

How important is the health and wellbeing of employees to VEKA plc?

Health and wellbeing have always been a key objective at VEKA plc. As a family-owned business its values have been part of our ethos from the beginning. 

Covid-19 has undoubtedly given us added focus on the wellbeing of our people, and this year we introduced a new brand positioning statement, ‘We Care We Act’. 

This was developed as we reflected on how our business coped during the pandemic and the importance of the people around us; whether the broader VEKA Group or our own team. 

Many are struggling with the balance of home and work and missing the interaction of friends and so we have looked at how we can develop and evolve what we do and how we look after our people. 

Our first initiative is understanding and helping everyone understand mental health a little better and so our team leaders have been trained in mental health awareness and this year we will be adding to our knowledge with the training and appointment of mental health first aiders. 

How does caring for your employees look on a day-to-day basis?

Our two human resources business partners are mental health first aiders, which gives them the ability to focus on the needs of the employee when working with departmental managers. 

These accreditations will be rolled out department by department during 2021. 

During this past year we have developed a toolkit our employees can access. Our internal Intranet (VEKANet) now has an additional section, (developed during lockdown), purely aimed at employee help tools, covering topics such as health, exercise and homeschooling.

How do you measure the success of these initiatives?

VEKA is committed to achieving its strategic objective of being a ‘great place to work.’ 

Every manager has set their own KPIs on how they will contribute to making this happen and we also conduct regular staff surveys to measure our progress. We also have a staff forum that meets every month and this is a key measurement of wellbeing in our business. 

We have also made it very clear in our strategy and our statements that although as a company we are ambitious, our success will be sustainable, and we will never put the livelihoods of our people at risk.  

www.vekauk.com

  • To read this feature in full and access further Lancashire business news, advice and analysis subscribe to Lancashire Business View magazine or join the LBV Hub from just £2.50 per month. Click here to subscribe now.

Enjoyed this? Read more from VEKA plc

Latest news

1

New India branch campus on the horizon for Lancaster University Keir Starmer meets Indian PM and included Prof Simon Guy Lancaster University. Pic Simon Dawson

New India branch campus on the horizon for Lancaster University

09 Oct 2025

2

Best events and talented students complete finalists list for Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026 Best Events and Talented students on Lancashire Tourism Awards finalist list

Best events and talented students complete finalists list for Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026

09 Oct 2025

3

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards Andrew Dewhurst with the award win

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards

09 Oct 2025

4

PHX Training appoints new business leader in Blackpool Jason Davenport PHX Training

PHX Training appoints new business leader in Blackpool

09 Oct 2025

5

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m Velocity Composites Has Announced Its Entry Into The Us Market

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m

08 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th
Ai 10.10.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Oct 2025 - 10 Oct 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials
EventBrite NORi - 15th Oct 2025 Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Teams, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West

Strathmore Hotel, Morecambe, LA4 5AP

08:00 - 10:00

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine
LBV Advert_Autumn Reset 1200 x 630px.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine

The Artistry House , Preston , PR1 3JJ

17:30 - 19:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (26).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

October Freelancer Meet-Up
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

October Freelancer Meet-Up

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues
EventBrite NORi - 22nd Oct Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
22 Oct 2025 - 22 Oct 2025

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues

Online - Teams, Leyland, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin