Bellway: housebuilder wins awards after employee engagement
Bellway launched its employee engagement app and desktop intranet, Pathway, in May 2024 to improve communication across the business, particularly with on-site construction staff.
Within five weeks, more than 60 per cent of employees had registered for the app, a figure that has since climbed to 95 per centβwell above industry benchmarks.
Paul Lawler, group head of communications at Bellway, said: “Pathway has completely transformed how we communicate within Bellway, bringing a much richer experience than the restrictive top-down approach we had previously.
“Fostering a culture of two-way communication and collaboration with employees was one of our main objectives when we began devising Pathway, and the interactive nature of the app has helped us to achieve this.
“The improvements and efficiencies achieved by Pathway have delivered significant benefits to Bellway and its employees, and we are delighted that the projectβs achievements have received such strong recognition from within the internal communications sector.”
Bellway estimates that Pathway has delivered a tenfold return on investment in terms of productivity, engagement, and risk reduction.
The platform has also helped promote company priorities around sustainability, mental health, and charitable activities.
Mr Lawler said: “Pathway has played a crucial role in driving some of Bellwayβs key strategic sustainability priorities, such as communicating the companyβs vision around climate change, creating a hub to support mental health wellbeing, and encouraging staff participation in fundraising events for our chosen national charity Cancer Research UK.”
This year, 91 per cent of employees rated Bellway as a βgreat place to workβ in its annual Employee Engagement Survey.
Bellway has won six internal communications awards in 2025, including three victories at the ICE (Internal Communications and Engagement) Awards in June, where it took gold in Best Use of Mobile/Apps, and two silvers for Internal Communications by Sector and Best Engagement of a Disparate or Remote Workforce.
Pathway was also highly commended for Best Employee Engagement Strategy at the CorpComms Awards.
The platform, developed in partnership with communications specialists Staffbase, underwent a 12-month pilot with 300 employees across the business before its official launch.
More information about Bellwayβs strategic priorities is available at sustainability.bellwayplc.co.uk.