Meet Joshua Wiffen

Joshua Wiffen, our Social Value Executive, has been with OCS for 5 months. We sat down with Joshua to hear more about how he has settled into his role and its development since joining.

With social value being at the core of OCS and its extensive community, Joshua was attracted to the company, as he felt it would allow him to make a significant impact. His previous role in IT and HR, where he handled data, sparked his interest in social value, helping him transition into his current role at OCS.

In his first few months, Joshua focused on learning about social value, and different contracts and participated in volunteering and inclusive improvement events. Recently, he has moved on to specialising in bid support within the ESG team. His role now involves supporting bids by commenting on social value sections, researching companies and ensuring all relevant information is uploaded. This specialisation came after a two-month review with his line manager, where it was identified that his skills were well-suited for bid support, leading to a natural progression in his role.

One of Joshua’s notable achievements since starting includes organising a team to help set up a fundraising event for St Elizabeth Hospice, which raised over £70,000. This event, known as Suffolk Dog Day, involved setting up tents, fences, signage and measuring spaces for vendors. Joshua’s efforts to engage with charities and expand OCS’s community initiatives in Ipswich have made a meaningful impact.

Joshua highlights his personal and professional growth as key achievements at OCS. Transitioning from a history graduate to IT recruitment and HR roles helped him build confidence in his abilities. Joshua expresses how he has developed his research skills, particularly in analysing sustainability and social value reports, which he finds both enjoyable and essential for his role.

He has also refined his multitasking and time management abilities by managing multiple bids, initiatives and case studies. His communication and networking skills have improved through interactions with various charities and attending conferences, despite initially being out of his comfort zone. These experiences have boosted his confidence and capability to handle complex tasks independently, contributing greatly to his career growth and personal development at the company.

Regular check-ins with his manager, who is committed to his career growth, have been instrumental. These catch-ups provide a platform for Joshua to discuss his workload, ask questions and receive guidance. He appreciates the open and approachable environment, where managers want him to be successful.

Joshua recalls his favourite moment at OCS, his third day. Only three days into the role, he attended a charity networking event and met Stacey Phillips from Home-Start. Through this new connection, Joshua discovered that OCS was a sponsor for their sports day, which he helped coordinate teams for from the office and the hospital. This collaboration was a highlight for Joshua, as it showcased the unity and teamwork within the company. The event was a success, raising over £10,000 for the charity. Reflecting on the experience, Joshua said, “Being able to support such a good cause and see a project through from start to finish, while making a significant impact and strengthening OCS’s community presence, was incredibly rewarding.”

Joshua shares that the work environment has been a significant plus for him, describing it as mature and flexible. He notes that he feels respected and supported in prioritising tasks and workload effectively.

The flexibility of the environment allows him to independently manage his tasks, seek help when needed, and adjust his schedule without any hassle.

Joshua advises those considering joining OCS to thoroughly research the company and understand its commitment to social value. He suggests looking at the various good news stories, volunteer activities and charity partnerships to see the positive impact OCS is making. Joshua emphasises that while OCS is a large company, it genuinely cares about giving back to the community, which is reflected in its values. He advises potential candidates to ensure that OCS’s values align with their own and, if they do, to go for it. Additionally, Joshua encourages candidates to be themselves during the interview process. He believes that authenticity is crucial, as managers are looking for genuine individuals, “Just be yourself,” he says, highlighting the importance of honesty in making a good impression.