Beaverbrooks

A family-owned jewellers for 102 years, Beaverbrooks has provided a glittering example in a time of crisis. While nearly 200,000 retail jobs have been lost during the pandemic, the business is proud to have continued to recruit employees to its team of more than 950 people and invest in its online operation and network of 72 stores.

The company was begun in 1919 by the Adlestone brothers, Isaac, Harry and Maurice, and today Isaac's grandson Mark Adlestone chairs the company, which has bucked the high street trend to retain strong profits. As customers mark milestones such as engagements, weddings, christenings and birthdays with precious gifts, Beaverbrooks has topped up its employees' furlough pay to 100% from the government's 80% allowance. Employees have been kept in the loop with regular, transparent communication.

With a core purpose to enrich lives through its focus on customers, colleagues and communities, the business has channelled 20% of profits through the Beaverbrooks Charitable Trust, donating in excess of £16.3m to over 750 charities since the year 2000. Teams chose a local charity to support with a donation of £100 per person.

Throughout the pandemic, employees have done their best to volunteer, giving their time to telephone befriending services, cooking meals for the homeless and recording the Talking News for blind people. The charity team uses its Yammer network, newsletters and Zoom updates to inspire colleagues to get involved. Some employees have stepped up to help vulnerable local people with shopping or supported the NHS front line at vaccination centres.