BrightHR, an innovative people-management software company, has made it easy for all staff to ask questions of their chief executive Alan Price. It introduced a monthly Ask AP session, using an anonymous digital question box for the video meeting. The initiative has been a success and Price receives about 20 questions per session, raising awareness of what matters to staff.

The company culture of openness is demonstrated by its "open-door" policy, making all managers approachable so that staff at all levels feel free to discuss projects with them. Not only does this make managers an ally to their team, it also helps employees learn from their knowledge and experience, and become experts in their own roles.

The company supports small businesses by giving them the human resources, employment law knowledge and health and safety tools they need to function. As businesses start to recover, post-covid, the company has offered free advice to key industries, such as hospitality.

A dedication to making new technologies work for its customers drives the company's fast-paced, challenging environment and can-do culture. It values the expertise of its teams and rewards employees for hard work with days off on birthdays and free monthly parties. A profit-share scheme allows staff to share in the benefits of a fast-growing company.

The company gives back to its community by supporting local charities. Price is an ambassador for the North West Air Ambulance Charity, for which the company raises funds. A recent "brew for the crew" bake-off made £500.