Connectivity is a watchword at FluidOne, a growing telecoms business that was established in 2006. In operational terms, that means providing secure cloud solutions to customers in retail, transport, construction and other sectors.

But is also important to the way it manages its employees - keeping them connected to their colleagues and to the company's values and commercial strategy.

FluidOne helps customers and partners digitally transform their IT and communications, and its vision is to be the UK's leading aggregator. Services are delivered via Platform One, its national fibre network which won the Queen's Award for Innovation. The medium-size business, based in London, has about 800 customers and the management team is led by CEO Russell Horton, an industry veteran. Financial backing for its long-term strategy comes from the private equity investor Livingbridge. Staff benefits include free breakfasts, subsidised gym membership, childcare vouchers and, naturally, free internet connectivity at home.

Teamwork and collaboration are part of FluidOne's culture, as is understanding how staff feel through one-to-ones, regular team meetings and mini-surveys. Its response to the arrival of Covid-19 last year was to maintain or try to improve team interaction and communication. Managers encouraged staff to sign up to help the NHS when they were looking for volunteers, which many did, and they were allowed to offer their help during work time.

As well as the inevitable digital quizzes, “dress up your dog day” helped raise morale.