Personal Growth

Davies Partnership

Staff development is supported through personalised training plans, mentorship, and the unique development plan SKILL which ensures a clear progression route for every engineer. External CPD sessions and the Degree Apprenticeship Programme demonstrate Davies Partnership’s dedication to continuous learning.

Managers lead by example, consistently living the company values. They support their teams through clear expectation setting, regular bi-annual one-to-one reviews, and active encouragement for open conversations about workload, ensuring employees feel supported.

The organisation's collaborative culture is enhanced by initiatives like Early Finish Friday, a reward for hitting the monthly 'fee earning' target. Team Together days and outdoor team activities further strengthen connection, collaboration, and community engagement across all offices.

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Consultancy

Placefirst

The comprehensive Learning and Development framework provides clear career progression pathways, increasing employee motivation and engagement by showing they are invested in. This framework includes regular individual development planning sessions and funded professional qualifications (e.g., MBAs, RICS, CIPD), strengthening the talent pipeline for internal promotion and succession planning.

Manager support consistently receives high engagement scores, reflecting leadership grounded in empathy and trust. Managers provide personalised coaching through regular one-to-one’s, and their development is supported by specific training on performance management and coaching, as well as opportunities to represent their teams in leadership meetings.

Teams are encouraged to engage in local community initiatives, such as volunteering days, which strengthen bonds through a shared purpose of improving communities. Collaboration is also fostered through regular In Person Team Days and company-wide events, alongside creative problem-solving sessions at the annual staff conference.

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Housing Associations

Westward Housing

Westward Housing supports colleagues in reaching their full potential through initiatives like internal secondments and job shadowing. The 'Leaders of the future' programme provides coaching and mentoring, while professional qualifications and external training are supported with paid memberships and a qualification bonus for compliance courses.

Westward Housing facilitates strong teamwork through regular face-to-face team meetings and cross-party working groups on various projects. The 'Colleague Recognition Scheme' allows team members to appreciate each other, with winners receiving a £50 voucher and public recognition at the 'Colleague Briefings'.

Westward Housing prioritises employee Wellbeing through flexible working and agile time off, which supports work-life balance. An 'employee assistance programme' provides access to professionals and counselling, while a network of 'mental health first aiders' and 'Menopause Cafes' offer vital support. A volunteer-run 'Wellbeing Group' coordinates various events.

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Housing Associations

Alconex

The Career Ascent programme at Alconex is designed to help employees achieve their career aspirations by combining technical, professional, and leadership development. The organisation also provide transition coaching for all new hires and offer mentoring and shadowing opportunities, which has resulted in no voluntary leavers in the past 12 months.

The Alconex Premier League, a unique reward initiative for site-based teams, has transformed team morale and performance. By gamifying productivity, quality, and safety, the league has driven a 35% improvement in site productivity and fostered a positive, competitive spirit and a strong sense of pride and collaboration.

Alconex encourages a culture of giving back through inclusive and visible charity initiatives, such as skydiving challenges and golf days. By partnering with charities like Zarach and with the leadership team actively participating, employees feel proud to work for an organisation that is making a tangible difference.

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Utilities

RE:GEN Group Ltd

RE:GEN Group actively invests in its people's development through dedicated programmes like the bespoke leadership programmes for senior leaders and the "Leading from the Middle" course for managers. The company-wide mentoring programme, which is not tied to hierarchy, further encourages learning and growth at all levels, benefitting both individuals and the organisation.

Through its bespoke people software, RE:GEN Group fosters team connection and recognition. The platform's features, like giving kudos in real time and the Memorable Moments initiative, create a culture of appreciation and positivity. This focus on immediate, visible recognition strengthens relationships and fosters a lasting sense of belonging and pride.

RE:GEN Group prioritises employee wellbeing with initiatives like its Wellbeing Champions network, who offer support and signpost resources. The company also leverages strategic partnerships to provide access to expert-led programmes and helplines, ensuring comprehensive support is visible, accessible, and integrated into daily working life.

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Construction & Engineering

The Penny Group

The Penny Group demonstrates a strong commitment to professional development. All employees complete psychometric profiling, with expert interpretation and feedback identifying opportunities for growth through mentorship, courses, qualification pathways, and memberships of professional bodies, all of which build confidence.

The company prioritises employee wellbeing, as demonstrated by the ‘Health is Wealth’ wellbeing morning hosted for Mental Health Awareness Month. Colleagues shared healthy snacks and participated in group activities to better understand the factors that influence a client's financial decision-making journey.

The Penny Group actively supports charitable causes, primarily through its involvement with The Openwork Foundation. The firm has raised money for various charities through sporting challenges and secured a £15,000 grant for You Make It, a charity that empowers women from racialised communities.

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Prezzo Italian

Prezzo Italian fosters a "people-first culture" that encourages employees to grow and share in the brand's success. As a well-established UK brand, Prezzo is celebrated for its commitment to great food and service in a modern, vibrant setting. This culture makes every visit for guests, and every shift for staff, a rewarding experience.

Prezzo provides clear progression paths and a strong focus on training and development, which helps employees grow within the company. This commitment to personal development ensures that team members feel valued, can see a future with the brand, and are motivated to contribute their best.

Prezzo shows a strong commitment to employee wellbeing. By creating a supportive and dynamic workplace, the company ensures its staff feel cared for and respected. This focus on wellbeing contributes to a positive environment where team members can thrive and feel like they belong.

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Leisure & Hospitality

Danske Bank

This year, Danske Bank’s wellbeing theme is mental health delivered through the ‘Your Self Care’ programme. With extensive colleague support, it includes the launch of mental health toolkits; a new people leader workshop, mental health leading from the front; partnering with Benenden with webinars, location visits to share information on resources and offer one-to-one support.

Danske Bank’s Learning at Work Week was open to all colleagues and consisted of 14 top-quality sessions and inspirational speakers. With a mixture of external and internal speakers, Danske Bank colleagues focused on the central theme ‘Winning in the Marketplace’ and explored skills such as AI, Relationship Management, customer insights and focused on external perspectives.

Danske Bank is committed to making a positive social impact in Northern Ireland. Through community engagement it supports the next generation with a focus on financial education and employability skills, with programmes including Money Smart Financial Education. It also has a dedicated charity partner, Include Youth, and has raised over £100,000 through colleague fundraising.

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Financial Services

CyberLab

Employees at CyberLab are provided with clear learning milestones and career development opportunities. The Sales Salary Ladders, for instance, offers a framework of competencies and achievements that can be met in exchange for salary increases.

CyberLab prioritises the mental and physical wellbeing of its employees. This is seen through the availability of mental health first aiders, the Employee Assistance Programme scheme for counselling, the wellbeing day, and the flexible benefits package that promotes health.

CyberLab's 'Engage' platform allows employees to 'praise' their colleagues, with every praise resulting in a £1 donation to a chosen charity. The company also participates in events like 'Movember', raising £1500 in funds for causes such as men's health.

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Technology

Kiddie Capers Childcare

Kiddie Capers Childcare is committed to employee growth. The company actively supports and funds staff qualifications, helping them to expand their knowledge and skills. Many team members have progressed from practitioner roles to management, demonstrating the company's dedication to career development.

At Kiddie Capers, managers are supportive and caring, providing employees with the necessary assistance and guidance. They appreciate the hard work of their team, as evidenced by the monthly Amazon vouchers awarded for full attendance.

Kiddie Capers promotes a culture of teamwork and camaraderie. The company's ‘fun fund’ allows teams to choose and enjoy activities together, fostering a sense of belonging and unity within the group.

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Education & Training

Growth Fuels Engagement

Davies Partnership

Placefirst

Westward Housing

Alconex

RE:GEN Group Ltd

The Penny Group

Prezzo Italian

Danske Bank

CyberLab

Kiddie Capers Childcare

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