The UK FinTech Awards recognise excellence and celebrate the achievements of the UK’s best and brightest financial technology companies.

Flagstone’s shortlisting for the 2021 FinTech Best Employer Award recognises how, during an incredibly challenging year, the company has focused on employee wellbeing with a holistic commitment to mental, physical, social and financial health.

Flagstone’s People Team, led by Chief People Officer Susanna Brown developed and implemented a diverse series of initiatives to ensure that colleagues could continue to thrive and do their best work:

1. Additional wellbeing days were given to colleagues, to help them prioritise their mental and physical health.
2. Flexible working patterns have been provided to support working parents to facilitate home schooling.
3. Mental health first aiders have supported the team throughout the pandemic and mental health training has also been provided to line managers to help them recognise colleagues in need of additional support.
4. Flagstone colleagues were given a subscription to a market-leading fitness app to encourage them to prioritise their health.
5. Yoga, breathing and meditation workshops were held on a weekly basis.
6. A cycling channel was launched for colleagues, with a points leader board and cycling championship, to gamify health and fitness.
7. Colleagues were given access to ‘Level’, a financial wellness app, encouraging an optimal approach to personal finance and wealth management.
8. Guest speakers have presented to colleagues on a range of topics, encompassing Resilience (Kate Richardson Walsh, Olympic Gold Medallist) and Mental Health Journeys (Nick Wilson) to encourage discussion of mental health issues.
9. A peer-to-peer recognition scheme has celebrated successes and recognised those who demonstrated the values that we agreed defined our unique company culture.
10. To battle isolation, local hubs were created (when lockdown was not in force) which met up and built small work-based communities.
11. Virtual and office-based craft, pottery and art sessions were held throughout the year to highlight the benefits of embracing a creative hobby.
12. Colleagues were provided with an annual £1000 learning bursary to support their personal growth and development.
13. Colleagues were also given the opportunity to set aside time to volunteer and raise money through charitable activities for their local communities and good causes.

Flagstone’s Chief People Office, Susanna Brown, said: 

“It’s been an incredibly challenging year for everybody. Here at Flagstone we’ve worked really hard to ensure that everybody has had what they needed to navigate their way through this tough time and had the support required to stay well and continue to do their best work. It’s fantastic to receive this kind of acknowledgement and it’s testament to the brilliant team and culture we have built at Flagstone.