River Island

One of the most well known and loved brands on the high street, with a workplace that is inclusive, energetic, and united.
Hidden mission statement
https://www.riverisland.com/

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River Island staff, who are known as "Islanders", are offered "sleep schools", resilience months, financial advice and other wellbeing tools to boost their mental and physical health. Mental health allies, made up of staff volunteers who have lived experiences of issues and who receive training, provide a safe, confidential space for colleagues to talk.

The fashion chain's employee assistance programme, which is run in partnership with the Retail Trust, also gives confidential access to support services outside of River Island.

The company has brought its Islanders together, including 6,000 retail staff, through online platforms, which offer social events, weekly tips, tutorials and training sessions, creating a more agile and unified team. Coffee mornings have encouraged staff to connect with people in the business whom they have never met. Games, team photo challenges and a Get Active campaign have also boosted interaction between Islanders, as have Time to Talk Day and Blue You Monday.

River Island, one of the best-known names for affordable fashion on the high street, has more than 350 shops in the UK and Ireland, as well as Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The company also has six online sites.

As part of its efforts to be kinder to the environment, River Island has set up a sustainability action group with volunteers from the workforce. The company has pledged to move to 100% sustainable cotton by 2023 and has joined the Better Cotton Initiative.

A spotlight on

River Island

View the latest achievements

Featured Workplace Factors

Leadership

71% of staff agreed

I have confidence in the leadership skills of the senior management team

Islanders told the company that being kept up to date on what was going on in the company was important to them, so chief executive Will Kernan writes a weekly update to all business areas. He also sends video messages and there are quarterly town hall business updates. Senior leaders have also sent wellbeing messages.
My Company

79% of staff agreed

I believe I can make a valuable contribution to the success of this organisation

River Island's ethos is "Our community is always open" and it has partnered with Blueprint for All, which was formerly the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, to help the company identify how to become an inclusive place to work and shop. It has learnt where some improvements can be made simply by listening to staff.
Fair Deal

45% of staff agreed

I am happy with the pay and benefits I receive in this job

To thank staff for their efforts last year, which in spite of Brexit, a global pandemic and supply-chain problems, was a positive one for the company, they were given a bonus. The high-street market has been challenging, but passionate, hard-working Islanders ensured that the company remained resilient.
Leadership
%

71% of staff agreed

I have confidence in the leadership skills of the senior management team

Islanders told the company that being kept up to date on what was going on in the company was important to them, so chief executive Will Kernan writes a weekly update to all business areas. He also sends video messages and there are quarterly town hall business updates. Senior leaders have also sent wellbeing messages.
My Company
%

79% of staff agreed

I believe I can make a valuable contribution to the success of this organisation

River Island's ethos is "Our community is always open" and it has partnered with Blueprint for All, which was formerly the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, to help the company identify how to become an inclusive place to work and shop. It has learnt where some improvements can be made simply by listening to staff.
Leadership
%

71% of staff agreed

I have confidence in the leadership skills of the senior management team

Islanders told the company that being kept up to date on what was going on in the company was important to them, so chief executive Will Kernan writes a weekly update to all business areas. He also sends video messages and there are quarterly town hall business updates. Senior leaders have also sent wellbeing messages.

Quick Facts

Organisation established in
1959
Total number of UK employees
Number of UK locations
28
Employee average age
19% : 81%
Male : Female employee ratio
10%
Employees earning £35k+
62%
Employee turnover (voluntary)
Quote from the top...
At River Island we pride ourselves on our commitment to employee engagement, always putting our people first. River Island couldn’t have been the high street name it is today without its people. We love what we do and every Islander really does count. The family culture we have created here on the Island is something that has taken years of embedding into our everyday life and will continue on as we grow as a business together.

Angela Gonsalves, People Director

Benefits

Gym / Sports

Companies offering free or subsidised sports facilities / activities / gym memberships to all employees.

Women in Senior Management

At least 40% of senior managers are women.

Latest Achievements

National Ranking
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26
Best Small Companies to work for in the UK
National Ranking
#
26
Best Mid-Sized Companies to work for in the UK
National Ranking
#
26
Best Mid-Sized Companies to work for in the UK
National Ranking
#
26
Best Large Companies to work for in the UK
National Ranking
#
26
Best Big Companies to work for in the UK
National Ranking
#
26
Best NFP Organisations to work for in the UK
London
#
13
Best Small Companies to work for in London
London
#
13
Best Mid Sized Companies to work for in London
London
#
13
Best Mid Sized Companies to work for in London
London
#
13
Best Large Companies to work for in London
London
#
13
Best Big Companies to work for in London
East of England
#
Best Companies to work for in the East of England
The Midlands
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Best Companies to work for in the Midlands
The East Midlands
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51
Best Companies to work for in the East Midlands
The West Midlands
#
69
Best Companies to work for in the West Midlands
The North East
#
28
Best Companies to work for in the North East
The North West
#
136
Best Companies to work for in the North West
Northern Ireland
#
11
Best Companies to work for in Northern Ireland
Scotland
#
53
Best Companies to work for in Scotland
The South East
#
127
Best Companies to work for in the South East
The South West
#
87
Best Companies to work for in the South West
Wales
#
32
Best Companies to work for in the Wales
Yorkshire & The Humber
#
80
Best Companies to work for in Yorkshire & The Humber
Sector Ranking
#
23
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
23
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
23
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
23
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
23
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
23
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
23
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
23
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
23
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
23
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
23
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
23
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
23
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
23
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
23
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
23
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
23
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
23
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
23
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
23
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
23
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
23
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
23
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
23
Best Companies to work for in the UK
National Position
#
26
Best
Big
Company to Work For in the UK
Regional Position
#
13
Best
Big
Company to Work For in London
Regional Position
#
Best Company to Work For in the East of England
Regional Position
#
28
Best
Company to Work For in the North East
Regional Position
#
136
Best
Company to Work For in the North West
Regional Position
#
11
Best
Company to Work For in Northern Ireland
Regional Position
#
53
Best
Company to Work For in Scotland
Regional Position
#
127
Best
Company to Work For in the South East
Regional Position
#
87
Best
Company to Work For in the South West
Regional Position
#
32
Best
Company to Work For in Wales
Regional Position
#
80
Best
Company to Work For in Yorkshire & The Humber
Regional Position
#
51
Best
Company to Work For in the East Midlands
Regional Position
#
69
Best
Company to Work For in the West Midlands
Sector Position
#
23
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River Island
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