Colleague Engagement Survey: Senior Leadership Team commitments
Each year, we ask all colleagues to get involved in our Colleague Engagement Survey. We want to know what’s going well, what could be better, and how we can better support you at work. Your responses help shape how each service area moves forward.
With the next survey coming up in September 2025, we’re sharing a short series of conversations with our Senior Leaders. Each one is a chance to hear how they listened to your feedback and what they’ve done since last year’s survey.
Each service area has its own priorities, challenges and successes. These interviews highlight what’s changed, what’s still to come, and how your voice has made a difference.
We spoke with Jan Buchanan, Director of Finance and Corporate Services, to hear what the Senior Leadership Team has taken forward in 2025.
Q: Jan, thanks for taking the time to speak with us. What are you most pleased about from the results of the 2024 Colleague Engagement Survey?
Last September, 1,135 colleagues took the time to fill out the Colleague Engagement Survey. That’s 6% more than in 2023, which is great progress — and I want to thank everyone who shared their feedback.
This year, the Senior Leadership Team and I are pleased that 65% of colleagues said they feel informed about what Glasgow Life is trying to achieve. That’s a 7% increase from 2023.
81% also told us they’re proud of the difference they make to the lives of people in Glasgow. These results show a clear understanding of our shared responsibility to make a positive impact on our customers, which is great to see. We’ll continue to share stories about how we help people enjoy fuller, more active lives through culture and sport.
Q: What is an area for you to focus on before the next colleague survey?
The lowest-scoring question was, ‘I believe this survey will lead to action.’ While the score did improve from 2023, we recognise that we need to do more to show how your feedback leads to real change.
That’s one of the reasons we’ve launched this new interview series, to highlight what actions leaders have taken in their service areas. They’ve also been regularly updating the Leadership Team on their progress. We’ll continue to share more updates, which you can find on the Colleague Information website.
Q: Finally, what actions and plans have you and the Senior Leadership Team taken forward this year?
One of the things that really stood out in the survey was that 60% of colleagues said they feel appreciated for the work they do. That’s encouraging, but it also shows there’s more we can do. Line managers play a big role in helping people feel valued each day, but we believe it’s something the whole organisation should be part of.
We’ve made a conscious effort to recognise and celebrate the great work happening across Glasgow Life. We’ll continue to shine a light on team and service successes through our regular communications. We’ve also relaunched our Long Service Awards to recognise colleagues for their long-standing dedication. It’s a small but meaningful way to show our appreciation for the contribution people make.
We’ll be sharing more actions and updates in the coming weeks.