International exchanges at CPW: welcoming staff to Leeds

International exchanges are key to ensuring our staff from across the world build strong working relationships, learn technical skills and develop professionally. Our hope is that no matter where in the world our colleagues are, they can pick up the phone and receive a warm welcome and all the support they need to succeed in their roles.

Kevin Ballantyne, Associate Director in our Leeds office worked closely with both Devangi Sonawala and Hally Desai who recently visited the UK on an exchange from the India office. He shared his thoughts on the experience.

“I think staff exchanges between offices give great value for both the employee and the employer. All staff involved in the process are able to exchange their knowledge so everyone is upskilled in the process.

“In Leeds, we have benefited greatly from Hally and Devangi’s knowledge in Revit. They have run short Revit training courses for our junior engineers giving them a crash course in the software.

“Hally and Devangi have benefitted from visiting construction sites in person for the first time. They can now visualise the real-life services that they are tasked to draw in Revit back in India.

“The exchange helps to break down the invisible barriers to working with our colleagues in India. It helps UK staff visualise the India office as part of the CPW family of offices rather than an outside resource that is far away and out of mind.

“I think Hally and Devangi have really enjoyed the opportunity to explore another country, it has given them a once in a lifetime opportunity to work on the other side of the world whilst learning new skills. I think it has been a rich and rewarding professional, social and personal development opportunity for them.

“Hally and Devangi have been a pleasure to have in the Leeds office and have integrated with the Leeds team both in and outside of the work environment. Staff in Leeds have welcomed them to Yorkshire with activities from walking in the Dales, ten pin bowling and having a curry! These outside of work activities have really helped Hally and Devangi to integrate with local staff. When they are back in India, they will be seen as part of the wider Leeds team.”

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