Miles & Barr introduce new learning and development platform, iStrive

KENT, MAY 2022 – Miles & Barr’s newly appointed Learning and Development Specialist, Jessica Ward, launched the company’s first online learning platform today. The appointment of Jessica in January 2022 gave East Kent’s leading independent property group the specialism to introduce a tailored digital learning platform to strengthen and enhance training and development opportunities for its 260+ employees. The iStrive learning platform is unique to the business and will be fully accessible to all, whatever their learning preference.

iStrive is a central hub for all learning resources across the group. Staff can easily access the iStrive learning platform via a desktop and mobile application, where they will find a wide range of e-learning material, group training packs, as well as be able to register for a range of classroom and virtual training events. For Managers, they will now have access to a full learning suite which means they can provide individual and team coaching activities. The platform complements the group’s Career Framework and refreshed performance management toolkit that was launched across the business earlier last year, with great success, and has provided clear direction and resources to manage career progression throughout the business.

Jessica brings four years of learning and development knowhow to the company, having previously worked as an L&D manager within both retail and Telecoms. In a previous role, Jessica was recognised and awarded for her role in successfully delivering an exceptional national training programme from inception to delivery in just 6 weeks. Jessica’s experience and expertise further strengthens the People Operations team at Miles & Barr.

Laura Courtenay, People Operations Director for Miles & Barr commented “As a company, we are always working hard to truly deliver against our strapline, Valuing people, not just property. This hard work has been evidenced through our employee engagement scores which are exceptional and culminated in us being awarded ‘Employee of the Year’ at the 2021 Negotiator Awards; an accolade we are incredibly proud of and it is a testament to the focus our leadership team have placed on delivering against our five year people strategy. We are developing a culture of ongoing personal development at Miles & Barr, where employees can really take charge of their career goals, and the introduction of iStrive is the next really exciting step on this journey!”

The learning portal offers a variety of training tools from videos and podcasts to e-learning modules and quizzes, with the most up to date learning technology built in.

In 2021, Miles & Barr received two customer service awards from ESTAS and also retained for the fourth consecutive year, Relocation Agent Network’s ‘Best Estate Agency of the Year South East’ title.

Founded in 1999, Miles & Barr has grown organically and through acquisitions to become a leader in Kent’s property market. The independent property group is a specialist in selling and buying homes, lettings, property management, relocations, financial services, commercial sales and lettings, as well as conveyancing. With operations across 12 sales and three letting branches, as well as a head office located in Herne Bay, Miles & Barr employs more than 260 members of staff from across the county.

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Media enquiries, please contact Lauren Williams on laurenwilliams@milesandbarr.co.uk

or +44 (0)1304 273324 / 07747618631

Notes to Editors:

Miles & Barr was launched in 1999 with one office in Ramsgate. Through the acquisition of regional property companies and organic growth, Miles & Barr has developed into Kent’s property market leader. Operating six departments with services across home sales and buying, lettings and property management, relocation, commercial sales and lettings, financial services and conveyancing. Miles & Barr experienced a shareholder buyout in March 2020.