At EdenTree, we are proud of our healthy corporate culture, which we view as both an employee and client interest. We are aware that a company does not ‘have’ a culture, it is a culture, and so engaging our colleagues to feel energised and supported to create a sense of belonging and help EdenTree achieve its goals is key.

Here are a few recent examples of how we’ve sought to engage colleagues across the business:

Culture as a co-created, living thing

Earlier this year, we captured all voices across the business to co-create a Purpose and set of Values that feel unique to us. Working in partnership with Kin&Co, we had over 100 touchpoints with colleagues, including 1:1 conversations, small focus groups, workshops and Slido surveys. Colleagues were consulted at each stage of the process to ensure that what we ultimately created accurately described the EdenTree we are now and what we aspire to be moving forward. It was a great energising moment, bringing colleagues together to articulate what makes EdenTree special and our commitment to fostering an inclusive, dynamic business for us and our clients.

Creating opportunities for idea sharing

Our Corporate Responsibility Committee comprises 11 colleagues from different departments across EdenTree, with ultimate responsibility for our local initiatives under our three priority areas of People, Community and Environment. Recently, the committee hosted a drop in session to give colleagues the opportunity to hear about the initiatives planned for the year, but also to share ideas and encourage champions across the business to take their ideas forward, in partnership with the committee. We plan for these to become regular sessions, to both engage colleagues and highlight that our culture and initiatives are something we can all play an active part in.

Engaging colleagues in the recruitment process

As part of our enhanced recruitment strategy, to attract diverse talent to EdenTree, we have introduced a mandatory interview with two members of the Corporate Responsibility committee. This has proved highly beneficial for both colleagues and the candidate being interviewed, creating an opportunity for colleagues to play a role in cultivating EdenTree’s positive corporate culture and for candidates to ask questions about life at EdenTree and the initiatives they could benefit from and support upon joining.

Taking a proactive approach to employee surveys

We are mindful of not overloading colleagues with employee surveys, opting for 1-2 per year, focusing on employee satisfaction and a dedicated Diversity & Inclusion survey. Alongside reflecting on the comments as an Executive Committee and Corporate Responsibility Committee, we share the feedback and the actions we will take to address any constructive comments to the whole business.

Encouraging colleagues to volunteer their skills and time

As a charity-owned business, EdenTree has a strong commitment to giving back to good causes. Alongside annual volunteering days, we engage colleagues in skills-based volunteering, as a great way to contribute their time and share their unique skills and insights. We also see and promote the benefits volunteering offers in terms of developing skills such as leadership, networking, problem-solving and improved time-management, as well as building relationships with colleagues in a different setting. Initiatives have included yearlong mentoring with The Girls’ Network, taking part in mock interviews and CV workshops with schools in partnership with education charity The Switch and volunteering with Movement for Good grantees alongside colleagues at the Benefact Group.

EdenTree is proud to be one of the first 100 signatories of the ACT Standard of Corporate Culture for Investment Companies, a new framework launched to create cultural change and enable professional fund buyers to drive a movement towards more diverse, equitable and inclusive firms. For more information on this global standard: Investors ACT