When I tell people that I am Head of Culture and Engagement at Jackson Lees Group, the first thing they usually ask me to do is describe what the culture is at our business, and to be completely honest, I always really struggle with that question.

Businesses talking about their culture is something that is really popular at the moment. A lot of businesses have a set of values that they put on the wall and that’s exactly where they stay. 

The reason I struggle to articulate our culture, is because it is a feeling. It is an energy, a buzz, a vibe. It’s so much more than some words on a wall.  We have one value at Jackson Lees, which is ‘making a positive difference.’ This is something that runs through absolutely everything that we do as a business. It truly is our heartbeat. 

We are a people business. Everything starts, ends and lives through our people. So it was only right that when I was thinking about describing our culture, that I asked some of our people to help me out.

I think our business has a culture of being you, being validated, being accepted. It’s a culture where YOU matter. Your story matters, your voice is always heard, and you are constantly encouraged to develop and grow.

To work somewhere where you can be unapologetically yourself is very liberating and empowering.

The only work place I have ever been able to completely be myself, and been applauded for it rather than judged for it.

Our culture is one where our people can simply be themselves, feel accepted for who they are and be supported to fully thrive and flourish into what they want to be. It’s a place where everyone is aligned to a common sense of purpose and knows that they are on the same rocket and travelling in the same direction. I never actually feel like I’m going to work. I feel like I’m able to make a positive difference by just being me.

That’s the feeling, that’s our culture. It’s who we are, and I’m incredibly proud to be a part of it.