Read: New, hybrid ways of working with Daniel Harrison
As the wheels of Britain’s economy begin to whirr once again, there is no better time to embrace new, hybrid ways of working.
That’s the view of Daniel Harrison, Chief Executive of True Potential - one of Britain’s fastest growing and most exciting fintech firms and a founding partner of the Social Mobility Pledge.
The firm, which provides investments funds and technology services to financial advisers as well as to end clients, manages £16bn from its Newcastle head office. In the midst of widespread economic meltdown in 2020, True Potential bucked the trend, recording its best ever year for sales, growth, profit and recruitment. 2021 has begun where last year ended and the business is on course to set a new record this year for growth.
Speaking to Justine Greening on the Fit for Purpose podcast, Daniel says far from hoping for a return to pre-Covid normality, True Potential is designing a new normal, both in terms of how the firm provides opportunities within its communities and also how its 300 staff work and collaborate with each other.
“We’ve just finished a four month building project, where we’ve completely remodelled our office”, says Harrison who was the driving force behind the project. “We’ve got more informal places to meet and a courtyard to encourage people to find space outside to think. It’s about a hybrid model, where our staff will come to the office for two days each week for an opportunity to meet, interact and socialise with one another and get the human side of business and relationships.
“It’s going to be a great way of working for True Potential and we’re very open minded about it.”
Ever since the UK went into lockdown in March 2020, face to face social interaction in workplaces up and down the country has been impossible. But how important does Daniel Harrison think the social side of work is?
“I want our team to really look forward to their two days in the office each week”, he says. “It’s really about waking up with a purpose. Part of progression is about coming into an office and learning from others. Some of that can only happen by getting stuck in and working with other people.”
True Potential has a long history of working in its local communities, with schools, universities and charities to provide career opportunities and a hand up to those in need. It’s part of what Daniel Harrison sees as the firm’s sustainability impact, which is strongly rooted in practical action on the ground and the new office continues that work.
“One of the things I was really keen to do was to re-use materials throughout the building, such as wood panels and furniture, to repurpose them”, says Harrison. “It’s so bright and modern, we’ve got rid of walls and replaced them with open spaces and a three-storey living wall to improve oxygen and air flow. It’s all about a better, healthier, brighter, more sustainable workplace. When coming into work, if you feel good, you’re going to do more good work as well.”
You can hear the full interview here:
