28/05/2026
Mental health and workplace culture are of the highest importance at Universal. In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, our Company Director, Matt, has shared our journey towards building a more supportive and open culture across the business.
This is an ongoing journey that we are only at the beginning of, and one we are fully committed to continuing and developing.
Culture at Universal,
At the core of Universal there is an incredible team of human beings, collectively doing their best, supporting one another to become leaders in the bulk liquid transport industry.
As a family business we care deeply about our extended family, the people who choose daily to commit their time, energy, and wisdom to achieving our shared goals together.
This year, rather than simply assuming that all is well, we have stepped into the process of checking this out, rather than making assumptions that are based on our own personal experience. We asked questions, sent out questionnaires, and are doing our level best to get around the business, speaking to as many people as possible about how they are finding life at Universal.
Our people work really hard, they are loyal and committed, they have a desire to be part of something, to develop/grow, to be well informed and to feel safe. Based on the conversations we have had to date and the information we have gathered, our current areas of focus moving forwards are: consistent, transparent communication (what’s happening in the wider business, how people are doing, celebrations and milestones, training opportunities, career progression pathways etc), supporting the development of emotionally intelligent leaders who are able to lead with their heart as well as their head and the co-creation of our vision/values that can weave through all that we do.
Culture, wellbeing, and mental health awareness all feel interconnected to us, you can’t truly have one within your organisation without focussing equally on all three. Although we have been in business for quite some time, only in the past twelve months do we feel that we truly understand what it takes to create a culture we feel completely proud of. We are excited to be starting this journey; we are deeply invested and appreciate that this process will be a marathon rather than a sprint. Our current challenge involves how we reach/impact every single individual within our business, especially those drivers operating remotely from far reaching satellite depots. That said we are committed to this challenge, receiving support and training (and always open to suggestions/advice from those who have walked this path before us).
