2020 gave Porterbrook the opportunity to step back and consider how integral our staff are to the success of our business. Regardless of whether we were able to have presence at our office premises, our people adapted to keep the business running with the absolute minimum of disruption, and continue to do so. So it means everything to us all that their dedication and engagement with our business has been recognised with this award.

 Throughout the year, Porterbrook has evidenced unprecedented levels of trust both for and from its staff.  We intend to build on this by encouraging employee voice in all that we do, and ensure continuous improvement throughout the business by welcoming input into our decision making processes at every level. Staff will own their own careers, with support, and understand that they can progress through the business and realise that ambition is taken seriously. We will continue to evidence culture change by exhibiting behaviours that reflect our company values so that we build solid internal and external relationships. Our drive towards a more sustainable business will include the recognition of ESG principles, both in our day to day working environment and our product.

 All of this will be delivered with the full support of our Shareholders, CEO, Executive Team and line management. It is vital to demonstrate that there is visible buy-in at the highest level as the ultimate aim in any business should be to ensure that ownership and maintenance of the delivery of positive people initiatives is handed over to line managers and they are empowered to work alongside the Executive Team to agree and implement impactful, relevant action.

Oh, and we couldn’t do any of this without the support of our Investors in People practitioner, Amanda Ryalls – who delivers brilliant advice at exactly the right times, and gets excited when we succeed…