Journey Further is a marketing agency based in Leeds, Manchester and London, that believes its “Clarity At Speed” culture has allowed it to come out of the pandemic storm in a healthy position. Since launching in 2017, it has grown to 85 employees, working with household-name brands such as Sky, Liberty London and Sports Direct.

The agency has created a profile within its own industry with its Journey Further Book Club, which it calls a learning community for “time-pressured” marketers. It also acts as a recruiting tool alongside its “Not Just A Grad scheme” which offers opportunities within the company for school leavers, university graduates and drop-outs, or those who just want to switch careers.

Treating staff well is key to success. At Christmas 2020, office-based celebrations were cancelled but Journey Further staff had an unexpected Santa. As well as a virtual Christmas party, board members delivered presents and a festive dinner to their teams. Any money left over from the normal Christmas festivities budget was donated to charity.

Over the last few months it has created a calendar of virtual events to make sure everyone is included and to support mental health and wellbeing. Employees can order a takeway at company expense and catch-up with colleagues on a video call. Activities, all run by members of the Journey Further team include yoga, meditation sessions, a running club, conditioning classes, cook-alongs and Friday drinks.