This PR and communications agency demonstrated its commitment to being a positive force in society when the NHS Nightingale Hospital was created in Manchester. Citypress seconded 10 consultants to provide pro bono support for the launch, including producing video addresses from the Duchess of Cornwall, who performed the virtual ribbon-cutting.

The Manchester-based agency, founded 60 years ago, also wants to be a positive force in the lives of its employees. Everything it does is underpinned by Citypress Life, a wellbeing strategy for physical, mental, financial and social health, implemented as a result of direct staff feedback.

This strategy led directly to the biggest fundamental shift in the agency's history. This year, Citypress became employee-owned, a move that allows it to engage even more closely with the team. Now, the staff – or owners – will receive a tax-free share of the profits, of up to £3,600, on top of their other rewards.

Citypress Life initiatives include a commitment to ring-fence 20% of consultants' available time for wellbeing and learning, and the provision of mindfulness, yoga and meditation sessions.

From the start of the pandemic, the board held weekly calls to ensure staff in the four Citypress offices – in London, Birmingham and Edinburgh as well as Manchester – were updated regularly on the agency's financial performance, client work and the support available to the team.