Bibby believes attracting, retaining and developing its people is the key to continuing success. A coaching programme, led by the executive committee, is dedicated to continuous improvement of all employees, developing teams that are highly-focused to achieve results.

Formal management development is supported through both internal and external programmes, leading to professional qualifications. During the pandemic, Bibby introduced specific training on how to manage colleagues remotely. An Aspiring Manager programme offers colleagues an opportunity to learn basic managerial skills, performance management and supporting wellbeing.

BHP provided online pilates classes for staff working at home. It also introduced a fortnightly mindfulness/meditation session, delivered on Zoom by a wellbeing professional. This was held during work hours, and recorded for use later by staff who could not join in because of other commitments.

The joint managing partners held regular webinars during the pandemic to keep all members of the team updated on the business and other topics, such as Covid safety. Staff were able to raise questions, anonymously if they preferred, and the managing partners made sure every question was answered.

Benenden's sponsorship of York City Football Club Foundation helped the Sporting Memories group, set up for older fans of the club, to hold vital social get-togethers online after the pandemic started. The Benenden Health Community Fund supported projects including food banks and cookery workshops for young people.

A new interaction and communication platform, called Connect, has been created to bring all managers together virtually. This allows them to contribute and discuss business priorities, but also provides a “safe space” for them to discuss challenges and support each other.

With many new recruits joining remotely, the People Team created a Virtual Onboarding Programme to help new employees to settle in their new roles despite not physically meeting their line manager or future colleagues. They were also paired with BBH ‘buddies' to assist their integration.

A mini MBA programme is a bespoke training scheme, created with London Business School, in which 20-25 future leaders take a two-week residential course to develop their leadership style and understand their future role in the agency, in terms of building internal and external relationships and acquiring enhanced management skills.

With training crucial to safe operations, training specialists were instructed on Zoom and Kahoot to use whiteboards, breakout rooms and polls to keep their courses intact online. An Advanced Carer programme was adopted with 400 people accessing training, including giving medication, in case of a qualified nurse shortage.

Employees share in the commercial success of their care home/hospital through an annual profit share scheme. A Rewarding Excellence scheme financially recognises the contribution of every employee in receiving a good or excellent regulatory rating. More than 1,000 key nursing staff had their NMC membership fee paid.

Development needs are assessed on an individual basis, with generous study support packages for those wishing to pursue professional qualifications. Group development sessions and 1:1 coaching are available throughout the year and there is a leadership development programme for an identified high-potential group.

During the pandemic, the company donated 15% of initial fees taken from all investment products to its Helping Hands initiative to supply 17,000 hand creams to frontline NHS workers, ambulance trusts, care homes and schools across the UK. Gifting is set to continue via a percentage raised in this way.

All learning and development moved to a virtual setting within a fortnight of the March 2020 lockdown and Rapport has hosted training every day since. With over 12,500 hours completed content has covered more than just customer service and courses have taken a holistic approach encompassing financial, mental and emotional wellbeing.

As allies to the LGBTQIA+ community Rapport held events to recognise Transgender Awareness in November and during Pride Month it shared messages of acceptance, empowerment and compassion. On National Coming Out Day it partnered with the myGwork business community for a social media campaign #IAmOutAtWork where some Rapport employees proudly shared personalised graphics to mark the day.

Staff have a well-equipped breakout room to unwind in, complete with a newly stocked games console, ping pong table, air hockey and an arcade games machine. At the weekly online quiz a name was picked at random from a hat to decide who would be quizmaster next, a tradition that Prestige has kept.

For every pound of weight that employees lost during an eight-week fitness programme this year, Prestige Telecom donated £5 to charity. Senior managers and directors also took part in a ration challenge, in which they ate the same food a Syrian refugee is allocated, to help Concern Worldwide raise over £1.5m.

PeoplePlus has launched an internal management development programme, called Improve to be the Best, for every line manager. The four-week programme is focused on employee engagement and the service-profit chain. The company also offers a range of internal apprenticeships leading to recognised management qualifications.

PeoplePlus has a long-running partnership with the Prince's Trust, which includes staff donating the pence from their salaries to the charity via the Pennies From Heaven scheme. Also, employees receive a paid day off for volunteering, which many used last year to offer pandemic-related help to charities and local people.

Furloughed workers have been encouraged to complete product and technical training to enhance their skills and a number of people have achieved qualifications in the past year. Talent mapping across the business helps all employees to see where their role fits in and work towards new goals.

Everyone has access to a personal trainer to get fit – as well as free weekly Zumba and Pilates classes. For those who need extra support, Olive provides a professional counselling service. The business has offered flexibility to working parents and carers with extra responsibilities.