Dramatic changes to ways of working at Oyster Partnership, a property sector recruitment consultancy, were brought about by the pandemic. Now staff work shorter hours and can be based anywhere — some work from Berlin and even America.

The London-based company says the recruitment business can be an "emotional rollercoaster and can lead to fatigue and mental tiredness", so it has hired a clinical psychologist to help support staff. All staff at senior consultant level and above are given unlimited annual leave.

The Oyster Partnership has more than 70 staff and works with public, private and third-sector organisations to manage their resource challenges at strategic and day-to-day levels.

The company prides itself on the workplace being a genuine meritocracy and believes the diversity of its workforce is the best possible testament to this inclusiveness. In the same way, the partnership works with clients at all stages of their careers when recruiting for contract, permanent and interim roles.

It believes in giving back to the community and, after a technology upgrade, it donated its unwanted equipment to the John Fisher School a voluntary-aided boys' faith school in Purley, south London. The company's managing director Sasza Bandiera, who joined the company as a trainee recruiter, is a former pupil. The business also backs the charity LandAid in its aim to bring the property industry together to provide safe, suitable and affordable accommodation for young people facing homelessness.