Personal Growth

The Anglican Diocese of Leeds

Placing focus on its environmental efforts, the Diocese is working hard to ensure all its properties are environmentally friendly and that the organisation reaches net zero carbon by 2030. Employees passionate about protecting the environment recently created a ‘Tree-Planting Squad’, where they work towards planting trees on diocesan land.

With a belief that employee development should go beyond annual appraisals, the Diocese encourages the pursuit of personal growth. The organisation’s appraisals process consists of a mid-year meeting with every employee, as well as an annual review to assess progress and create a personalised learning plan incorporating a variety of training programmes.

This year, the Diocese made employee wellbeing its top priority, providing staff with access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and a 24-hour confidential phone line to discuss any issues they are facing. The organisation’s intranet has a dedicated wellbeing section covering a variety of topics, as well as informative staff videos.

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Charity's

Unity Trust Bank

Unity Trust Bank supports personal growth by offering professional qualification support, including five paid days for professional development. Initiatives like the 'New to line management at Unity' sessions and the Leading with Empathy programme help employees advance their skills and career opportunities.

Unity Trust Bank ensures fair treatment through its profit share incentive scheme, which paid out 9% of base salary in 2024, and by being the first UK bank to pay the Real Living Wage, demonstrating its commitment to equitable employee compensation.

With a focus on wellbeing, Unity Trust Bank offers activities like mindfulness sessions and health awareness campaigns through its Unity & Me programme. The bank has increased its number of Mental Health First Aiders, promoting a supportive environment for mental health.

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Financial Services

NATS

All employees can undertake mental health awareness training, and staff and their families can access help – including legal and financial – through the Employee Assistance Programme. ‘Myth Busters’ have been published on topics like domestic abuse, often linked to a colleague sharing their story. There are also wellbeing talks and monthly ‘desk yoga.'

All staff are on the digital learning portal giving them access to content, events and training and helping them create development plans. There are also open sessions throughout the year on topics including ‘unconscious bias’ and ‘building resilience’. And staff can undertake technical training or academic study and learn from internal coaches and mentors.

In the past year, employees have donated more than £200,000 to causes they care about through the Payroll Giving Scheme. And NATS also supports two corporate charities – the Jon Egging Trust (JET), by offering young people communication and leadership workshops and Aerobility, which gives disabled people the chance to fly a plane.

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Business Services

Keech Hospice

Placing a focus on personal growth, Keech Hospice care offer a wide range of development opportunities and regular training. As well as mandatory training the organisation also runs internal and external courses, as well as providing regular opportunities for staff to discuss their personal development needs.

Staff can look forward to fresh hot meals, sandwiches and snacks, thanks to Keech Hospice Care's excellent on-site catering facilities. Employee benefits also include a competitive salary with increments based on performance and training, as well as contribution pension scheme, childcare vouchers and free parking.

The hospice understands just how important it is to look after the mental wellbeing of its staff, and therefore has a dedicated support programme and an employee assistance programme which provides practical information, resources and confidential counselling to all staff and their families.

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Charity's

Fundamentals Ltd

There are weekly safety updates on a variety of topics, and mental health and wellbeing often feature. Tips to improve wellbeing, whether through exercise, understanding the importance of nutrition and hydration or better sleep habits, are included.

At weekly team meetings, leaders make sure there is time to recognise and acknowledge nominations for staff who champion the company's values and that those values remain at the top of people's agendas. In their own work they strive to demonstrate the values daily and model the behaviour expected of all staff.

The company offers an apprenticeship scheme and some of the earliest participants are now involved in the business at management level. Newer apprentices are keen spokespeople for the company at careers events. Fundamentals is also an enterprise partner of the Institution of Engineering and Technology and supports employees towards professional membership, financially and practically.

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Utilities

Certsure LLP

Certsure LLP encourages employee development through initiatives like ILM Level 3 and 5 qualifications and mandatory 30 hours of CPD per year. Internal promotions are also prioritised with 40% of all vacancies filled internally, fostering a culture of growth and progression.

Certsure LLP's pay increase process is negotiated annually with a recognised trade union, ensuring employees receive a fair deal reflective of the current economic climate. This approach underlines the company's commitment to fair treatment of its staff.

The organisation has recently increased its support and donations by an additional £5,000 to its charity partner, the Electrical Industries Charity (EIC). The money was raised through several of external and internal activities, such as a Conference Quiz Night, Virtual Walk to Bali, and the Certsure Great Bake off.

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Business Services

Audit Scotland

Audit Scotland provides access to a variety of sources for wellbeing support through its occupational health provider, as well as offering a range of internal and external sources of information. The organisation also shares wellbeing information on a regular basis with colleagues through Viva Engage.

The organisation offers a number of routes for employees to grow, including through its partnership with the PCS union and its existing Career Development Gateway model that allows colleagues to submit evidence that they can work at a higher level.

Audit Scotland’s Management Development programme last for six months and covers a range of topics, including: Managing Self, Managing Individuals, Managing Teams, Managing Resilience, and Managing Change. The material on offer is provided through a mix of internal and external delivery to appeal to all learning preferences.

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Accountancy

Fletcher Moorland

Fletcher Moorland is a company that employees are proud to be part of, with their innovative "Meerkat" system and ECO365 initiatives reflecting their commitment to excellence and sustainability, making a tangible difference in the industry and among their clients.

The company invests in personal development, offering tailored training opportunities that enhance skills and unlock potential, demonstrated by their collaboration with Stoke-on-Trent College to provide practical experiences for HNC apprentices.

Through initiatives like the ECO365 and supporting local educational institutions, Fletcher Moorland demonstrates a commitment to contributing positively to society beyond profit-driven motives.

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Construction & Engineering

Fletcher Moorland

Through initiatives like the ECO365 and supporting local educational institutions, Fletcher Moorland demonstrates a commitment to contributing positively to society beyond profit-driven motives.

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Audley Group

Audley Group’s Appreciation programme allows any employee to show appreciation for their colleagues via its platform, Spirit. Every month, all Appreciation “Shout Outs” are entered into a prize draw where they can win one of 20 prizes.

Audley Group is supported by the Audley Academy, its internal Learning & Development team. In addition to the mandatory learning required, they create and source online content hosted on the organisation’s LMS. Audley Group also offers a wide range of Apprenticeships in partnership with carefully chosen providers to bring the best learner experience.

The Audley Foundation raises money to improve the lives of older people, particularly the lonely and less fortunate members of society. Once a year, the organisation runs a Match-Fund Challenge to raise funds for the Foundation, and Audley Group matches up to £1000 per village or office.

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Health & Social Care

Growth Fuels Engagement

The Anglican Diocese of Leeds

Unity Trust Bank

NATS

Keech Hospice

Fundamentals Ltd

Certsure LLP

Audit Scotland

Fletcher Moorland

Fletcher Moorland

Audley Group

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