Spirit Health Group

Leicester-based Spirit Health was started by chief executive Chris Barker in 2007 to make healthcare easier for providers and patients.

The family of companies has more than 150 staff and is growing fast, fuelled by innovation, hard work and making the most of every opportunity.

Spirit's services for patients include diabetes management and education. It provides primary care for the health service, digital health services and medicines optimisation, which is cutting millions from NHS spending.

The company's efforts to give something back include signing up for the Kickstart Scheme and taking on 22 candidates, providing them with experience and skills. Its environmental initiatives include cycle-to-work and electric car schemes.

The chief executive, also known as the chief mischievist, ensured there were regular social and support activities during the pandemic, such as virtual coffee mornings, lunch-and-learn sessions, quiz nights, a monthly menopause group and the company's first Culture Yearbook.

The WOW Awards are a celebration of individuals or teams who go above and beyond, make a difference to others and are living the company's values. All staff can make nominations, and the value of the awards starts at £25.

Management training, previously provided externally, is being switched to Spirit's first internal development programme. Training modules include leadership, self-development and people and relationship management. The programme will be supported by coaching, mentoring, external initiatives and role rotation.