Navigating Culture: A Chat with Charlotte Turner

Originally published in the August 2024 edition of WorkLife Business News Magazine by WorkL.

Charlotte Turner, Group People Director at Fourfront Group, discusses strategies for fostering inclusive cultures and empowering teams. From B Corp certification to personalised strategies, discover how they lead with purpose.

At Fourfront Group, which includes Area, Sketch Studios, and 360 Workplace, our company culture is all about our "Five Truths." These are the principles that guide everything we do, and every single one of us, from leaders to team members, lives and breathes them. We empower our people to make decisions that benefit their work and our business as a whole.

One of the things we're really proud of is leading with purpose. Recently, we achieved B Corp certification, which is a big deal for us. It shows our commitment to sustainability, nurturing a great workplace culture, and putting our people at the heart of everything we do.

These values aren't just words on paper; they're the backbone of how we operate every day. They unite us in making a real difference, both within our company and in the wider community.

Explore the impact we've made and gain insights from our dedicated B Keepers.

At our core, we believe in tailoring our people strategies to meet individual needs to enable them to be the best they can be in their roles. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, we strive for a diverse and dynamic workplace. We provide a range of tools and resources to support the full wellbeing lifecycle. We know that what works for one person may not work for another, so flexibility is key. This allows our employees to choose what works best for them.

Listening to our employees and gathering data to understand their challenges is fundamental to our approach. We empower our managers to have open and supportive conversations, fostering an environment where everyone feels psychologically safe and supported. This personalised approach is crucial in creating a thriving and inclusive workplace.

We're lucky to have five generations working side by side, each bringing their own unique strengths to the table. We make it a priority to foster an inclusive environment where everyone can work without distractions and feel valued.

We believe in continuous learning and adapting to new methods, which benefits all of our Fourfronters. Flexibility is crucial to us; around 10% of our team works part-time or flexible hours, which has been particularly helpful in supporting women and boosting female representation in senior roles.

To stay competitive and innovative in our fast-paced industry and the ever-adapting world of work, we're always refining our people approach. An example of one of our newer initiatives is our 'Life with Fourfront' guide which was introduced as an extra pillar of support for employees going through various life events, challenges and transitions. This is in addition to our comprehensive care offering which includes benefits like our Employee Assistance Programme, private medical insurance that covers mental health services, and programmes promoting physical wellbeing. Even our pension schemes reflect our commitment to sustainability by encouraging investment in greener funds.

We make a conscious effort to bring together our expertise in workplace design with strategic employee experience initiatives and technology to foster vibrant company cultures. This approach involves working closely with various teams including leadership, IT, HR, and communications to truly understand an organisation's holistic needs. Through collaborative workshops, we’re able to inform the design and ultimately the delivery of physical workspaces aligned with our clients' vision and values, ensuring they offer flexibility and cater to diverse requirements.

In our own workplaces, we actively gather data on how spaces are used, survey employee preferences, and design environments that enhance productivity while promoting social interaction. This includes creating spaces for collaboration, areas for private calls, central kitchens for informal gatherings, and facilities that support personal activities like nursing. We're dedicated to crafting inclusive and adaptable environments that accommodate different work styles.

Earlier this year, we teamed up with WORKTECH Academy to release a research paper on how creativity can help build strong workplace communities. Our first workshop was all about how design can connect community-building with cultural values. Check out our research to see how design plays a crucial role in bringing cultural values to life.

We've gathered some really valuable feedback from our employees across several key areas:

• Regular Feedback Mechanisms: We use pulse surveys and ongoing feedback systems to keep a finger on the pulse of our employees' feelings, allowing us to quickly address any concerns that come up.
• Returning Employees: It's been great to see former employees coming back, which really speaks to the appeal of our positive culture and environment. It shows we're dedicated to creating a workplace where people can truly thrive.
• Organic Initiatives and Relationships: We encourage strong relationships and grassroots initiatives, like our running clubs, that come directly from our team rather than being top-down directives.
• Employee Engagement and Wellbeing: Our 2023 engagement results were fantastic:
  • 95% of our team feels immense pride in their work.
  • An engagement score of 90%, with 91% of our team having full confidence in our management.
  • 90% of our team acknowledges our strides in diversity and inclusion.
  • 93% believe we care for our employees wellbeing.

These insights really show how we're not just listening to our team, but acting on what matters most to them. It's all part of creating a workplace where everyone can feel valued and supported.

Our people-first strategy has also been recognised externally. Both our London Bridge and Windsor studios have achieved prestigious certifications, including Fitwel 2 Star and an AirRated Gold AirScore. Recently, we have also been recognised as a winner of Vitality's Britain's Healthiest Workplace with Platinum Accreditation, named one of the Sunday Times Best Places to Work in 2024, and included in the Top 50 ‘Inspiring Workplaces’ in the UK and Ireland. These certifications demonstrate our commitment to supporting the health and wellbeing of our current and future workforce.

We're shifting our focus to enhance work-life balance, now known as "work-life fit," which means supporting individual needs rather than just managing conflicting demands. This approach blends personal needs with work responsibilities to maintain efficiency and empower our team to thrive. Listening to our employees and adjusting accordingly is crucial. It helps us create a supportive environment that respects and responds to their needs, making sure they feel appreciated and understood whilst balancing the needs of the business.