In a quiet corner of Royal Wootton Bassett, one Wiltshire-based training consultancy is making waves on a national stage. Intelligent Dialogue has landed a significant contract with Sunbelt Rentals UK & Ireland, one of the largest plant hire firms in the country, to spearhead a new leadership programme that will shape the future of frontline management across over 190 depots.
With its headquarters in Warrington, Sunbelt Rentals is a familiar name across multiple sectors – from construction and events to government contracts and film production. Now, as part of its five-year strategy, Sunbelt 4.0, the company is investing in the development of its depot and branch managers to ensure they are not just managing, but truly leading.
At the heart of this effort is Intelligent Dialogue. Founded in Wiltshire, the company specialises in bespoke training for sales, customer service, and leadership development. Its Managing Director, Diane Banister, says the partnership with Sunbelt reflects a shared focus on building people-first cultures where service excellence becomes second nature.
“We’re delighted to have been asked to work with Sunbelt Rentals on this vital part of their people strategy,” said Diane. “To shape something that really lands, we’ve spent time in their depots, learning about their culture and listening to the teams. Our aim is to deliver training that’s not only relevant, but that genuinely makes a difference.”
The programme, delivered face-to-face to 160 managers nationwide, draws on DiSC profiling and Intelligent Dialogue’s own BUILD leadership framework. Training content includes action-centred leadership, understanding the distinction between doing, managing and leading, and learning to delegate and direct based on individual and team preferences.
Jenny Parry, Head of Talent at Sunbelt Rentals, spoke positively about the collaboration: “We’re excited to be working with Diane and her team. This course will help our depot and branch managers lead with greater confidence, boost team engagement and ultimately, enhance our customer experience. Thanks to funding from CITB, we’re able to deliver something truly impactful.”
CITB, the Construction Industry Training Board, is backing the project, which underlines its importance to the wider development of skills within the construction and hire industry.
Diane added, “Depot and branch managers deal with a whirlwind of challenges every day. They’re the people making the operation tick, often without recognition. This training is about equipping them to play to their strengths, while broadening their leadership approach to handle more complex situations with confidence and clarity.
