In the Limelight: Our David

When did you start at innocent? 

Oct 2012. 

What was your first role here? 

Office Superhero. We now call it our Culture and Facilities Specialist, but back in the day I was responsible for keeping Fruit Towers running.  

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

Thomas the Tank Engine or own a sweet shop. 

If you had to explain what you do to a 10-year old, what would you say? Asking for a friend. 

I make sure we’re creating a great place for people to work. We use data and insight to tell us where we need to focus our attention, building projects and plans to improve the People experience. We also keep our HR systems in top notch condition. 

What roles or experience have you done since and what is your current role? 

I’ve had a few roles at innocent, all in the People and Workplace world. I started as Office Superman and after leading projects fitting out a few offices around Europe, this developed to Estates Manager.  

After a couple of years, I moved to Environment and Culture Manager, heading up the team in London. 

As Head of Culture, this role expanded to oversee many things from well-being, real estate, organisational culture, working with our teams across Europe. 

I now head up People Experience & Operations. I still work with the broader People & Culture team on all of the things above, as well as engagement, inclusion & diversity, our systems, and any change projects. 

What’s been your innocent career highlight? 

I’ve been around a while now, so there are a fair few. Building a factory from scratch has to be up there. Or meeting Bill Clinton. 

We've popped a link at the bottom in case you lot want to read more about our factory. Moving on. What’s the best thing you’ve learnt whilst working here? 

It’s absolutely possible to grow a business, whilst doing good for people and the planet.  

What’s your favourite thing about working here? 

The flexibility. Our general principle is “be in person more than not”. Most people interpret this as being in the office 3 days a week, but for me it’s more than that. With a 1-year-old daughter at nursery, innocent supports me in flexing my routine to work for my family. I generally get to the office just before 7am (which sounds horrible, but less so when you’re up at 5am anyway), then I leave at 3pm to do the nursery pick up. There might be the rare occasion that I need to work later, and I’m ok with that – the trust and flexibility goes both ways (and at worst, I’ll dial in to a meeting on the train). 

Are there any affinity groups, clubs, schemes, or any other ongoing activities you’re a part of? 

I’m a member of our POD (progress on disability) affinity group, made up of a few of us passionate about making innocent a more inclusive place for anyone with a disability or neurodivergence.  

I also play guitar and “sing” in the innocent band. 

If you were a piece of stationary, what would you be? 

Those zig-zag scissors from primary school. 

The world’s getting more and more data-driven. What gets you most excited about using data here at innocent?  

This is a big area of focus in the People & Culture world. Our company is a size now where we can’t rely on what we’re only hearing from those we have personal connections with. Placing data and insight at the heart of our decision-making is so important and will ultimately provide the best experience for people who work at innocent. 

With your experience as a new dad, why do you think a good paternity policy is so important? 

We have one parental leave policy at innocent – so the deal is the same regardless of gender, or whether you are the primary or secondary parent (with the exception of statutory pay obviously), which goes some way in levelling the playing field when it comes to career progression and returning to work. I took 6 months off (4 months paid) last year, which was an amazing benefit. I got quality time to bond with my new baby, whilst my wife and I could support each other. Our policy also allowed me to phase my return to work (at full pay), which helped me adjust back to the world of work. 

What’s your top tip for new parents? 

Go easy on yourself when you return to work. It’s not easy. 

Having been our Head of Culture for quite a bit. What do you think is most important in creating a great working culture? 

A shared understanding that culture comes from the everyday actions that every single one of us takes. 

Last question. What's one bit of advice you'd give yourself when you were little? 

Invest, don’t save. 

Ta very much, David

A little more about our blender: the blender (innocentdrinks.co.uk)