Square One Resources was founded in the age of dial-up and has been connecting IT and pharmaceutical professionals with leading brands for 26 years.

The recruitment agency, which takes its name from a popular Caribbean Soca band, has stayed in step with staff – some have been with Square One for two decades. Others have risen from junior level to top managerial roles, including the chief executive.

The recruiter has about 80 staff, based in London's Shoreditch and operating on the Continent and in North America.

Rewards on offer to them include all-expenses-paid holidays and lunch clubs for high achievers.

The senior management team focused on safety over profits during the pandemic, but ensured employees still felt spoilt at Christmas by replacing the usual party with a luxury hamper for them to enjoy with their families.

Management hosted a weekly company meeting on Zoom to give business updates and maintain team spirit. The sessions were lighthearted, with everyone asked to bring a drink and their best joke for the weekly “joke-off”. The chief executive and finance chief made drop-in calls to staff during lockdown, including to those on furlough, who also received a weekly newsletter.

Regular “stop, start, carry on” focus groups have been held for employees to share their opinions about what they like about the company and how it could be improved.