Growing with our people: building culture and capability at Symal

Growth brings opportunity. It also brings responsibility. 

As Symal expands across new locations, businesses and markets, one thing remains central to how we operate, the culture that has shaped us from the beginning. 

That means holding onto our entrepreneurial spirit, looking out for our people and staying true to the values that bring our teams together, while continuing to build the capability we need for the future. 

As Alison Laing, Chief People and Culture Officer, explains: 

“As we grow and scale at Symal, both across team member numbers, geographies and new businesses, what’s really important is that we retain our culture. That entrepreneurial spirit, genuine care for our team and alignment to our values.” 

It’s about making sure growth strengthens what makes Symal different, rather than changing it. 

Investing in people, not just the business 

Developing our people is a key part of that approach. 

Across Symal, we’re investing in training, mentoring, leadership development and career pathways that help people build skills, take on new challenges and progress in the direction they want to go. 

During FY26, our people completed more than 25,000 hours of training and development. We also supported 67 apprentices, welcomed 15 participants into our Emerging Leaders intake and celebrated seven Bulabul graduates. 

These are more than numbers. They represent people building experience, developing confidence and taking the next step in their careers. 

Learning that works for our people 

A big part of making development accessible is giving people options that work for them. 

That’s the thinking behind Elevate, Symal’s centralised learning platform. It brings together a range of compliance training and professional development opportunities, making it easier for people across different roles, teams and locations to find learning that aligns with their goals. 

As Kellyann Woodley, Organisational Development Manager, explains: 

“We made a deliberate decision to invest in development as a business priority and create something that would genuinely support our people. Elevate brings together a wide range of development opportunities so people can find learning that fits with their aspirations and their growth goals.” 

Whether someone is building technical skills, developing as a leader or looking to take their career in a new direction, the aim is to make learning relevant, accessible and useful on the job. 

Keeping our culture as we grow 

With more people, businesses and locations across the Group, maintaining a connected culture takes deliberate effort. 

It means giving people room to take initiative, supporting them to develop and making sure genuine care for each other remains part of how we work — on site, in the office and across every part of the business. 

It also means recognising that there isn’t one path to progress. Different roles, experiences and ambitions call for different opportunities, and our approach to development needs to reflect that. 

As Symal continues to grow, investing in our people is an important part of building a business that’s ready for what comes next. 

Because building a stronger business starts with backing the people who make it happen.