Octopus is a group of companies investing in the people, ideas and industries that will help change the world for the better. They are experts in financial services and energy. Octopus was founded in 2000 with a mission of trying to change the way investment companies are viewed by putting its customers at the heart of the business and making service intrinsic to its culture. From there, Octopus has expanded into multiple different sectors while maintaining the same goals. Octopus also makes employees a critical pillar of its success by focusing tirelessly on employee satisfaction, development, enjoyment and giving the best work/life balance a company can offer. To reward employees for their continued efforts through the year, Octopus provide both monthly and daily recognition programmes. The monthly recognition programme is called the 'Grand Tentacle', which is an award presented at the monthly, all company meeting with a prize of £1,000, nominated by peers for someone who has embodied the core values the most. The day to day recognition is for 'recognition cheques'. If someone displays the organisations core values, a colleague can write them a recognition cheque explaining why they have embodied a trait of being bold, straightforward or helpful (their core values). When an employees receives a certain number, they can be cashed in for gift vouchers of the person's choice.