The White Company wins People Development Team of the Year
The White Company has been recognised as the “People Development Team of the Year” at the People in Retail Awards, showcasing the brand’s dedication to nurturing talent and leadership. Developing people is at the heart of any successful business, and The White Company’s outstanding approach to employee growth has set a new standard in the industry.
Natalie Fresen’s Commented: “The White Company’s L&D and C&E teams successfully embedded leadership behaviours into everyday practice and created a fulfilling, growth-oriented work environment. By investing in personalised development, encouraging collaboration, and ensuring alignment with company values, the programme not only upskilled their workforce but also strengthened the organisational culture. This makes it clear why The White Company was recognised as the winner of the ‘People Development Team of the Year.’ Their approach demonstrated that developing their people is at the heart of their business success, where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.”
The White Company’s journey to People Development Team of the Year:
Known for its high-quality lifestyle products, The White Company has long valued investing in its people. Their Learning and Development (L&D) and Communications and Engagement (C&E) teams received this accolade for their exceptional commitment to nurturing talent through their Leadership Development Programme (LDP), which ran from January 2023 to March 2024. This initiative supported 195 employees at the ‘Leading Manager’ level and above, with the L&D team crafting five full-day training modules, achieving an impressive 86% completion rate.
What made their approach exceptional?
- Clear focus on leadership behaviours: The LDP was aligned with The White Company’s core behaviours: Live the Brand, Shape the Future, Make it Happen, Drive Excellence, and Lead One Team, ensuring managers fully understood and embraced the company’s values.
- In-house customisation and personalisation: All training materials were developed internally, tailored specifically to The White Company’s culture and needs, with a focus on personal development plans and mentorship from over 20 senior leaders.
- Engagement across all levels: The C&E team ensured consistent engagement for both Head Office and Store Managers, with activities including launch events and an in-person graduation, developing a sense of community.
Demonstrable impact
The LDP led to a 10% increase in participants’ understanding of leadership behaviours, and the feedback highlighted significant growth in learning and development opportunities aligned with career goals. The success of the programme was further evidenced by the career progression of several managers into more senior roles.
Why this win matters
The White Company has truly shown that investing in people drives success. Their commitment to building a culture of continuous learning, personalised development and leadership excellence has not only enriched their workforce but also contributed to their broader vision of being a global destination for stylish living. This well-deserved win reaffirms their belief that developing their people is fundamental to sustaining their brand’s legacy.
