Diageo Shieldhall

Diageo Sheildhall is a high volume packaging and bottling plant with a throughput of 22 million cases of spirits a year and includes the fastest spirit-bottling line in the world.
Maurice Barry, Operations Manager, took part in the vita-brevis Leadership Development Path and subsequently invited us to work with his operations team. These are his comments on the process and the results:

During 2004, and following a restructure of the Operations Team at Diageo's Shieldhall Plant, we worked with vita-brevis as part of our strategy to deliver a step change in operational performance. The input consisted of three main strands: team sessions, individual coaching and attendance at vita-brevis open 'Unlock your Potential' workshops.

This work was part of a range of interventions and focussed on asking Business Group Managers to assess and improve their impact as leaders within the peer group, as well as with the line teams. A major part of the benefits of working with vita-brevis was the use of inspirational locations from hill tops to open countryside which gave space and thinking time to challenge the way we operated, as well as laying strong foundations for the future. Anne's approach was innovative and stimulating, and took account of the well-being of the leaders, with sessions on Tai'chi and yoga.

The participants found the experiences challenging, and benefits were both in professional and personal terms, and clear sense of energy and excitement which has been reinforced by a set of strong results in operational terms.

Anne has helped our Team embed new ways of working and has enhanced understanding and relationships within the group.