People Managers Matter

Fever-Tree clearly plots personal growth plans and career direction, supported by bespoke training for those new to management and in new roles, a women's network, and formal qualifications such as MBAs. The company amplifies success by having course participants become future programme sponsors, promoting peer-to-peer development.

Fever-Tree supports charitable and community initiatives globally, nationally, and locally. They actively mentor students with Future Frontiers, support food banks like Fareshare, and donate to Malaria no More. They give each member of staff a volunteer day to provide time towards these efforts.

Dougie Mac holds regular sessions to support the mental health of its employees. It has reflection sessions, facilitated sessions with its Spiritual lead helping individuals to focus on themselves. It also has mental health first aiders across the organisation who are accessible to all staff as well as domestic abuse champions.

Team away days provide a mixture of team development, team working, and fun! Cross team working is important to Dougie Mac and there are a number of initiatives where individuals work together. As a hospice there are many team fundraising events including walks, runs, sky dives, and balls.

Devon Air Ambulance fosters a culture of continuous learning and development. Through its Management Development Programme, employees have the opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge, contributing to personal growth and the success of the organisation.

Devon Air Ambulance places a high importance on employee wellbeing with a pastoral care team and Wellbeing Ambassador team in place. The organisation provides a range of supports, from counselling to surf therapy, emphasising the balance between work and personal life.

Crafted’s ‘Go Awards’ showcase the agency’s great people, the values they epitomise, and the amazing work they’ve done. Its yearly Crafties awards celebrate teams’ successes as well as naming an individual as ‘Craftie of the Year’. The agency also rewards employees through its annual profit share, which is shared equally, regardless of role.

Crafted organise regular social and team building events to help develop interdepartmental relationships. Events include everything from summer parties and awards evenings, to gaming nights and craft evenings. The agency also took its whole team to the Crystal Maze Experience in London for a bit hit of nostalgia and team building.

Costello Medical supports employee development through excellent internal training opportunities, funding for external courses, and a rolling promotions process. The company encourages both vertical and horizontal progression, offering employees the chance to expand their knowledge and expertise.

Costello Medical cultivates a team spirit through group Teams channels for each division and office. Regular social breaks, divisional socials, and activities like fundraisers encourage camaraderie and fun, fostering a sense of belonging within the team.

CFG Law believes in giving back to society. It organises numerous fundraising and awareness events such as the annual bring your dog to work day, charity bike rides and sports days. The organisation also supports local charities like the Spinal Injuries Association and Roadpeace West Midlands group.

CFG Law promotes a team-focused culture. It organises regular team building events like charity bike rides, sports days, golf tournaments and painting classes. These activities foster team spirit, fun and a sense of belonging amongst colleagues.

A budget is set aside each year to offer teams the chance to get together for something fun and encourage and support the team work ethic. Some examples are crazy golf, and coffee and cake. The organisation also holds a biannual event to ensure that all field based employees have an opportunity to get together.

Broadland Housing Association are part of a campaign called Independent East where it has teamed up with other Housing Associations to provide learning and awareness sessions on a range of subjects designed to develop employees by giving them awareness of certain situations that tenants or colleagues could be facing.

Everyone at BM has the chance to learn, develop, and progress utilising a combination of virtual, online, classroom and workshop training. The organisation also offers mentoring, individual coaching, and DISC profiling through its decision to invest in an Learning and Development lead qualified in these areas.

BM supports industry, local, national and international charities, including Springboard (helping young, unemployed and disadvantaged people make a career in hospitality, leisure and tourism), White Lodge Centre (supporting disabled people of all ages), Macmillan World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, Sport Relief, Comic Relief and the Kotukula Primary School in the Gambia.

The bespoke Training Academy offers industry-leading onboarding, personalised development plans, and accredited Modern Apprenticeship programmes. This investment in the next generation provides clear career pathways, fosters a motivated, skilled workforce, and helps reduce turnover and boost retention across the organisation.

Lively team talks feature Saturday morning TikTok dance challenges, which add an energetic twist and encourage bonding. Theme days like Wear It Purple promote fun and support important causes, while quarterly business updates and social events strengthen connections and foster a people-first culture.

ACT Training believes in giving back to society. Each year, the staff selects charities to support, organising various fundraising events. The company's commitment to community engagement is evident in its partnership with Business in The Community, volunteering at the 'Global Gardens' community project.

ACT Training places high importance on staff wellbeing. The company employs a full-time Staff Wellbeing & Engagement Officer, provides dedicated weekly wellbeing time, and hosts various health-focused initiatives, such as Staff Health Week and funded counselling sessions.

The company supports its people's development through apprenticeships and CPD training, for example, the keeper team completes CPD with local wildlife charities. Leadership and management skills workshops are also offered, covering topics like communication and behaviour role modelling, with ongoing support from the People & Development team.

Birdworld empowers teams by involving them in daily operations and fostering an environment of direct, two-way discussion during weekly team meetings. This collaborative approach, combined with the "Good Egg Awards" peer recognition scheme, strengthens bonds and ensures that contributions are acknowledged and celebrated.

Zest allocates a dedicated training budget and holds monthly meetings to assess learning priorities. A new Learning Management System enhances access to materials and a comprehensive skills and development project aims to map clear career pathways for those wishing to advance within the organisation.

The company provides a fair deal through performance-related pay increases throughout the year. Additionally, a yearly bonus is awarded based on both company performance and personal performance, directly linking individual contributions to overall organisational success.

Bumper supports colleague development through the Bumper Levels framework. This system clearly outlines the specific steps required for an individual to progress to the next level, helping them understand their own career path and empowering them to take charge of their professional growth.

The annual three-day retreat brings the Bumper team together in locations like Lisbon or rural France. This event allows colleagues from different departments to reconnect, get outside, and reset, fostering stronger relationships and a more cohesive and collaborative working environment.

In addition to a competitive 3.5% pay rise for care team members, the company’s career structure is a significant part of its reward strategy. It also offers the 'Spice of Life' benefits programme, which supports employee wellbeing, purchases, health, and pensions, ensuring a fair and rewarding employment experience.

Teams are encouraged to engage in physical activities together, such as walking for charity. The ‘Celebrating Cultures’ initiative promotes an inclusive environment where teams and residents embrace different cultures. The 'Sprinkle of Cinnamon' project also unites team members to make residents’ wishes come true, fostering a sense of shared purpose and camaraderie.

Aquavista’s social committee ensures that there is a regular schedule of events throughout the year to look forward to. Leaders and managers are further encouraged to schedule regular team meetings with some of those focusing on team building exercises.

Every year, Aquavista chooses a charity to support. This year is Young Lives for Cancer. The organisation hosts numerous events throughout the year to raise funds, including a walking challenge and its summer market.

Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists offers several development courses throughout the year, open to all employees. Its internal programme is aimed at creating world-class practice managers signifying the organisation’s commitment to fostering a culture of growth and development.

With regular Team Member Roadshows fostering collaboration and team spirit, Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists ensures that fun and a sense of belonging are integral to the work environment. The values awards further recognise and encourage team efforts.

ElectraLink offers performance based pay increases and performance bonuses which are divided into three tiers. Tier One is for every employee and is based on company profit, paying out up to 100% if targets are beaten. Tier Two is team based targets for joint goals, and Tier Three is individual targets.

The organisation strongly believes in the importance of developing its people. On an annual basis, everyone sits down with their manager to have a development conversation and produce Personal Development Plans. Those identified as future talent can also access additional funds and ElectraLink is currently supporting three employees through their MBA.

The Future Leaders Academy and apprenticeships, including the Brewing Apprenticeship, provide structured pathways for advancement, ensuring employees feel challenged and their skills optimised for career growth.

Utilising Yapster, teams can keep up to date and communicate with anyone within the business. Brewhouse & Kitchen use the app to announce employee recognition of "Legends" programme, communicate any new menu items to drum up interest, and any key business change messages.

Weekly ‘Think Bigger’ teams calls with all employees highlight successes and celebrate the journey. Regular socials take place outside of work hours, where the team are invited to attend fun and competitive activities together. There are also two group holiday incentives per year, where the team chose where they would like to go together.

There are two company holidays per year and a chance for employees to win a luxury spa break for themselves and a guest. At Masentó Group's yearly AGM, it award its 'Top Billers' and 'Living The Values' winners with trophies, champagne, and a chance to win a luxury watch.

The Good Vibe Tribe at Noble Foods is a group of colleagues that champion the organisation’s wellbeing agenda and deliver initiatives across a calendar of events. These events include webinars on subjects such as managing stress and anxiety, and training managers to highlight mental health awareness.

The organisation’s Aspire programme provides development opportunities for all. Through its talent and succession process, Noble Foods seek to highlight future talent and unsure development plans are in place to nurture this. The company also runs a number apprenticeship programmes.

The Trust dedicates two employee days per year for all its staff. These include a hiking challenge and an outdoor waterpark.. Staff can try water sports such as paddle boarding and an inflatable assault course. Anyone who doesn't wish to be adventurous can enjoy a picnic and relax by the water.

Petty Pool’s uses rewards and recognition to encourage its employees to start living, demonstrating its values and empowering others to do the same. It hosts yearly awards in four organisation value areas and a couple of fun spontaneous recognition awards with all staff across the organisation.

Mova’s Wellbeing Forum meets to discuss the current wellbeing climate, concerns, goals and a calendar of events. This year, it has planned drop-ins on financial wellbeing, the menopause, loneliness and caring for people who are unwell. Its Wellbeing Charter includes an hour per week set aside for individuals to do something that supports their wellbeing.

Last year, Mova raised £1000 for charities. Fundraising activities included a Macmillan coffee morning, Save the Children Christmas Jumper day, Movember and Miles for Mind. It also supports a grass roots football team and has extended its charitable giving through a matched funded scheme, where up to the value of £250 will be matched.

During the organisation’s Annual Conference, employees have the opportunity to celebrate everything Hilltop. The Managing Director shares results from the last year and launches the One Page Business Plan, providing insight into where every colleague fits into the plan going forward. Food and drink is provided in a local venue afterwards.

Hilltop provides its employees the opportunity to grow through Personal Development Plans, internal and online training, and government supported schemes (including IOSHH, HACCP, BFCGS, and ILM). Over 150 external courses have been completed by Hilltop colleagues in the past year, increasing retention, engagement, and facilitating over 20 internal promotions.

Team incentive budgets, which managers can use on team activities, rewards and recognition continues to encourage staff to maintain their positive work attitude and customer service. The organisation also regularly takes part in team challenges and charity fundraising across all its offices to bring teams together and encourage cross-team communication.

The organisation host annual summer and end of year parties and adopt a culture of praise by recognising people in its monthly Compunews which encourages people to nominate colleagues for values and performance. It also has a Profitshare Scheme, meaning that employees benefit from overall company performance and are awarded additional shares based on tenure.