The value of being a UK Excellence Award assessor

Matt Leedham, Head of Business Architecture, Nuclear New Build, EDF Energy

I see my role as a UK Excellence Award assessor as an important adjunct to my day job - it's definitely a time commitment, but it's well worth it, as I've been able to bring back some great ideas to the business.

After taking part in my first external assessment in 2007, I found being an assessor absolutely clicked with me. Since then I've found myself talking to a wide range of organisations over the years.

You have to do your homework before you meet them as you're going to come face-to-face with all levels, from Chief Executives to employees on the frontline. That in itself can be a challenge.

It's all about asking the right questions, checking assumptions and trying to understand the business you're assessing through meeting people and analysing lots of data. Then you need to be able to consider potential areas for improvement for the organisation.

Of course, none of this is carried out in isolation - you're working with a team of assessors, all of which helps you form a comprehensive and rounded picture of the organisation as a whole.

Continuous improvement is part of my role, and it is my passionate belief that we can all improve and learn. Going outside of my own company, and my industry, to see what I can learn from other organisations, as well as how I can help them, is incredibly important.

If you're interested in becoming an assessor for the 2012 UK Excellence Award, please contact Awards Director Sally Green on 020 7654 5010 or email.

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