Collaboration is integral to Nedbank Private Wealth's culture. Although its 460-strong workforce is spread over several locations, ideas are shared among them.

The banking and wealth-management company believes that the best way to find an answer to a question is to tap into the knowledge and resources across the whole company, whether it's for a project, day-to-day work or an office social event.

The "tribes and squads model" that is used in the IT industry has been adapted for the financial services organisation. Squads are small autonomous groups that work together on specific aspects of the business. Several squads working in the same area are grouped into a tribe. Nedbank says the model has improved communication between its teams.

Many of the company's decisions are based on the regular feedback it receives, and its staff are the biggest drivers of change in the business. It offers them autonomy, development opportunities, training and a sense of community, while it invests in them by encouraging a good work-life balance and providing enhanced private healthcare support, including mental healthcare and a cycle-to-work scheme.

The company, which focuses on protecting its clients, advising them with integrity and making their lives easier, was founded in 1987 in the Isle of Man, where it still has a private banking office. There are others in London and Jersey, while the international trust business is in Jersey and Guernsey and there is a representative office in Dubai.