Sentinel Property Group trebles staff in six months

Everyone else might be struggling to find workers but not one high-profile Brisbane property exec who has almost trebled his staff numbers this year. Here’s what he did.

Sentinel Property Group’s chief experience officer Michael Sherlock.

SENTINEL Property Group’s chief experience officer Michael ‘The Professor’ Sherlock has used social media to almost treble Sentinel’s workforce over the past six months despite a shortage of workers nationwide.

Sentinel had 21 staff when CEO Warren Ebert and his team moved into a new office just before Christmas after the bitter split last with daughter Stacey Jones over the $1.3bn management group he founded 11 years ago.

Since then, staff numbers have grown to 55, with former Brumby’s boss Sherlock capitalising on his 30,000 followers on the professional networking online platform LinkedIn to find recruits.

The company has had to secure an additional floor at its 260 Queen St headquarters to accommodate the growing workforce.

Michael Sherlock and Warren Ebert at Casuarina Square in Darwin.

“We had usually used recruitment companies to find new staff, but I thought I would try posting job ads on LinkedIn, and it’s been amazingly well received,” Sherlock says.

“At a time when many companies are struggling to find people, we have almost trebled the size of our team in just six months. Not only have we grown our staff by almost 300 per cent, we have attracted people of the highest calibre, and there is a fantastic vibe in our office.”

BIG APPOINTMENT

Master Builders Queensland has appointed its first female deputy CEO who says she will work to get more diversity in the industry.

Sue-Ann Fresneda steps into the role following the appointment of Paul Bidwell as chief executive and will continue to lead Master Builders’ commercial divisions.

She says she’s looking forward to putting the spotlight on creating more diversity in the industry.

“The Queensland construction industry employs around 240,000 people across the state and women account for only around 15 per cent of that and even less among those workers on the tools,” Fresneda says.

“While I’m incredibly passionate about hiring the right people for the job, diversity within the industry is something we need to consider – particularly as we stare down the barrel of future

skills shortages.”

Master Builders Queensland deputy CEO Sue-Ann Fresneda.

Fresneda joined Master Builders in 2013 as Director of Business Development & Membership working for 20 years at News Corp through various management roles including Sales Director and General Manager – Operations for Queensland.

Bidwell says Fresneda will provide valuable perspective and experience to the leadership team.

“Sue-Ann has certainly earned her stripes since joining the business almost nine years ago,” he says.

“She comes at things from a completely different perspective and that’s a vital ingredient in strong leadership and really important for the longevity and future direction of Master Builders.”

PLASTIC FREE JULY

North Queensland based Nerada Tea is challenging Australians to improve their environmental footprint during Plastic Free July by swapping to loose-leaf tea.

Australian-grown and sold in 100 per cent plastic-free packaging, Nerada’s loose-leaf black tea is Australia’s No.1 selling loose-leaf tea brand.

Nerada Tea plantation director Tony Poyner says they are on track to make their whole range 100 per cent plastic-free.

“We’ve seen interest in our loose-leaf teas grow and we have extended our range to meet the demands of our customers,” he says.

“Helping the planet and encouraging people to slow down is important all year round but getting our customers to support Plastic Free July is a great catalyst for change.”

Nerada Tea plantation director Tony Poyner.