Putting People First: Why a Strong EVP Powers Performance at Suttons
In today’s competitive talent landscape, a strong Employee Value Proposition (EVP) has become more than just a recruitment tool, it’s a strategic imperative and culture builder. Michelle Atkinson – HR Director, shares her insights on the importance of a clearly defined Employee Value Proposition in attracting, retaining, and developing top talent. Drawing on her experience leading people strategy in a global logistics business she explores how Suttons EVP strengthens the company’s culture but also fosters engagement, drives performance, and ensures that every team member can thrive.
In a sector as complex and high-risk as chemical logistics, it’s easy to assume that success comes down to our equipment, compliance, or the scale of our tank container fleet. And while those things matter, at Suttons International, we know the real differentiator is our people.
That’s why we’ve built a strong and practical EVP that attracts, retains, and nurtures our talent. At Suttons we do more than attract talent. It nurtures, empowers, and retains individuals who not only understand the technical demands of our industry, but who live and breathe our core values: Integrity, Teamwork, and Customer Focus, Safety First and Personal Responsibility.
Our EVP is rooted in what our team values: stability, opportunity, and purpose. Suttons is a long-established business, but we’ve never stood still. We offer employees the chance to work on international projects while still feeling part of a close-knit team. We support flexible working, generous leave policies, and wellbeing initiatives that allow people to bring their best selves to work. But most importantly, we create an environment where performance is expected and supported at every level.
We’re proud to have an employee retention rate of over 90%, which significantly outperforms the industry average. This is not by chance, it’s the result of deliberate investment in our people. From role-specific training and professional development sponsorship to succession planning and mentorship, we ensure our team members have the tools and support they need to grow into new roles. Structured feedback, quarterly newsletters, social events, and our internal Star Awards recognition programme help reinforce a culture of visibility, appreciation, and camaraderie.
Take Peter Monaghan – Technical Manager AMER, for example, he began his career with Suttons at just 16 and now serves as Technical Services Manager for the Americas. His journey reflects how we adapt roles around evolving strengths and life stages. Or Sue Clifton – Operations Systems Manager, who recently celebrated 25 years of service with us. These aren’t just milestones; they’re proof that our EVP works.
Recognition is a core part of how we maintain our culture, and our Star Awards are one of the ways we highlight excellence in action. A recent example is Mariel Martinez, who received a Customer Focus Star Award for her outstanding service and partnership with a customer. During a meeting with their logistics team, Mariel’s name came up repeatedly as someone who made a real difference. Her proactive approach, clear communication, and support for their new export operator helped make a complex transition feel seamless. The customer praised Mariel for her reliability and professionalism. qualities that not only reflect well on her but also build long-term trust in Suttons as a logistics partner. It’s this kind of day-to-day excellence, rooted in our values, that strengthens both our culture and our customer relationships.
As HR professionals, we often talk about performance. At Suttons, we don’t just measure what our people achieve, but how they do it. Conversations about ethics, integrity, and responsibility are built into our leadership culture. We place equal weight on results and behaviours, ensuring our values aren’t aspirational, they’re operational.
We also understand the importance of cohesion across borders. While we operate globally, we’ve worked hard to maintain a consistent culture that respects local differences while building a shared identity. We’re not rigid. We’re responsive, and our people know they’re trusted to do the right thing.
Our EVP doesn’t stop at the internal experience, it creates direct benefits for our customers. Because our teams are engaged, well-trained, and empowered, they deliver consistent, high-quality service across regions. They solve problems quickly and collaboratively. They operate safely and compliantly in high-risk environments. They bring institutional knowledge to customer challenges and communicate with clarity, honesty, and accountability.
As we look ahead, we’re focused on building on what already makes Suttons a great place to work, modernising our ways of working, strengthening cultural alignment across our regions, and continuing to invest in the employee experience. Because when we support our people to do their best work, the results speak for themselves. safer operations, stronger customer relationships, and a business that’s fit for the future.
