It’s been quite a whirlwind at DFC lately for our recruitment team and all of the staff involved in the preparations leading up to the inaugural DFC New Starters event. The event was held in Manchester for 14 of our newest team members: Apprentice, Trainee Engineer, Graduate Engineers, Associate, Senior Engineer, Engineer and Business Support. Here is how DFC’s first new starters event unfolded.

By: Lindsey Waterworth, Business Support

The inaugural DFC New Starters event was a valuable experience, and brought together 14 individuals (plus the four directors and a few senior members of the team) from different cities, including Leeds, London, Sheffield and Manchester. Despite the challenges posed by the rail strikes on the day of the event, our determination to connect and build a strong team relationship spurred us on.

I attended day one of the two-day event, which started off with a warm greeting, welcoming and the opportunity to network with everyone before we all sat down for a team lunch. The weather in Manchester was actually very nice for a change on that day!

After our team lunch, we were welcomed back with an introduction to DFC from one of the directors. We were told about DFC, the background of the company, values, history, locations, roles, and the future. The itinerary for Day-1 of the event was thoughtfully designed, with a Pecha Kucha style presentation used as the icebreaker. We each had the opportunity to introduce ourselves in a concise and engaging manner, and this allowed us to get to know one another quickly. I don’t want to spoil the surprise, but it was great fun.

There were several other presentations too including: an introduction to each of our offices, IT systems, cultures and values, an overview of what Business Support do, a look at our clients and projects, followed by an open floor for questions at the end. We were encouraged to network and freely engage with the directors, and this provided an invaluable opportunity to gain insights into the company’s vision and culture. The transparency and approachability of the team was genuinely refreshing.

To top it all, the team dinner at Ducie Street Warehouse restaurant afterwards allowed us to unwind and celebrate the day’s successes which was a great end to an amazing day. Overall, the gathering was not just about work; it was a celebration and marked the beginning of a shared journey. The event was an excellent way of getting to know our new starters and provided each of us with an insight into the company’s history and its goals.

The cultural diversity and blend of talents at DFC contributed to a dynamic and vibrant atmosphere. It has left me feeling excited about the company’s future and was a great way to network and meet the wider team.

If you would like to join our growing team, find out more from our Careers page here.