Listening, Learning, Thriving: Putting People at the Heart of Our B Corp™ Journey
A significant element of our B Corp™ journey has been the opportunity to turn the spotlight inward and examine how we support our people, one of our key stakeholder groups and our most valuable asset.
Alpha Beta Partners is built on the collective strengths of a diverse and highly skilled team. As the Gestalt principle reminds us, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. However, that collective strength depends on every individual feeling supported, valued and empowered to succeed.
Creating an environment where people can thrive requires ongoing commitment to wellbeing, development and engagement. The best organisations do not assume they have all the answers; they challenge themselves, listen to feedback, evolve and continue learning. That mindset has been central to our B Corp journey and remains at the heart of our strategy and execution as a business.
We began by asking the difficult questions and, while some of the feedback was challenging to hear, it provided us with the honest insights we needed. The results highlighted many areas where we were performing well, alongside opportunities for improvement. Most importantly, it reinforced a message that sat at the heart of the process: we wanted to listen because every voice matters and every perspective deserves to be heard.
We then turned feedback into action, developing a wellbeing policy and launching a range of wellbeing initiatives designed to better support our people. These efforts led to external recognition, including being shortlisted for the FT Adviser Wellbeing Innovation: Workplace Excellence Award. We were subsequently delighted to receive a Highly Commended accolade for our wellbeing strategy.
However, recognition is not the destination. It is simply a milestone on an ongoing journey. We remain committed to listening to our people and continuing to ask an important question: What can we do better? By acting on the answers, we can continue to build a workplace where people thrive, because it is our people who make us who we are.
Our focus on wellbeing was not simply about responding to feedback; it was about investing in the long-term success of both our people and our business. The importance of workplace wellbeing is increasingly recognised around the world. The World Health Organization estimates that depression and anxiety result in 12 billion lost working days globally each year, costing the economy around US$1 trillion in lost productivity. Research also shows that employees who are thriving in their wellbeing are 65% less likely to be actively seeking a new job, highlighting the strong link between wellbeing and employee retention. From a business perspective, the benefits are equally compelling. Deloitte research found that for every £1 invested in workplace mental health initiatives, employers see an average return of £4.70 through improved productivity, reduced absenteeism and stronger employee retention. These findings reinforce something we strongly believe at Alpha Beta Partners: when people feel supported, valued and able to thrive, organisations thrive too.
Wellbeing is not a programme, a policy or an award. It is a commitment: a commitment to listening, to improving and to putting people first. That commitment will continue to guide us, because the strongest businesses are built by people who feel they belong, are valued and have the opportunity to thrive.
