As we've grown across the UK and Germany, our belief that a strong business starts with its people has stayed at the heart of everything we do.

That means creating an environment where colleagues can develop, take ownership, work collaboratively, and feel connected to the wider organisation. It’s something that we have kept investing in, so I am delighted that our first entry into the Great Place to Work programme has earned us certification in both Germany and the UK. The certification is based on a two-step process that includes direct feedback from our employees, followed by independent analysis.   

While this is great recognition, what’s really important to us is what actually sits behind it: the everyday experiences, opportunities, and relationships that shape life at Sirius.

Developing our people

Providing colleagues with the tools and opportunities to build their careers with us is something that is central to our approach. Over the past year, our Sirius Academy delivered over 1,500 training days, with training available across all our team functions and levels, resulting in us exceeding our annual target.

We have also continued to develop our leaders through our Manager Circle 2.0 programme, while our Ment4Performance programme has been providing colleagues with opportunities to build confidence and experience as they take on new responsibilities.

Connecting colleagues

However, development is not only about formal training, but also about learning from colleagues and experiencing different parts of the business. Our international exchange programme provides just that, giving colleagues in Germany and the UK the opportunity to work across markets and bring those experiences back to their teams. Throughout 2025 and 2026, we had 10 colleagues who took part in these cross-border placements, and currently we are working on updating our programme for 2026-2027.

Additionally, we continue to put a greater emphasis on cross-functional collaboration and shared problem solving, while the rollout of our new employee experience platform, Workvivo, proved successful - seeing a 97% adoption rate across the group, with consistent high levels of engagement with the platform.

We want every colleague to feel part of one organisation with a shared purpose. That's why we keep creating opportunities for direct engagement, from CEO forums to Board site visits. These moments bring together the different perspectives and communities that make up Sirius, giving people the chance to connect and share ideas.

Building a culture of belonging

Promoting a workplace rooted in fairness, respect and equal opportunity remains an essential part of our people and space-making approach. Rather than treating inclusion as a series of standalone initiatives, our focus is on the behaviours and everyday interactions that help people feel supported and able to make meaningful contributions.

This includes creating practical pathways into employment, from our PRISMA programme supporting former refugees in Germany, to our Veterans Programme and commitments as members of the Armed Forces Covenant in the UK. Alongside this, our wellbeing offering includes a network of trained mental health first aiders in addition to physical wellbeing initiatives and team activities that enable colleagues to stay healthy and connected.

There is always more to do, as culture is not something that can be built through a single programme or initiative and instead evolves through the choices we make every day. As Sirius continues to grow, so will the way we support our people and strengthen the culture we share across both Germany and the UK.

The Great Place to Work certification is a welcome reflection of our progress, and we’re focused on building further. For me, that means creating an environment where colleagues feel supported to develop, confident to contribute, and connected to the people around them. Empowering our people is one of our core brand priorities and a cornerstone of our ESG commitment, and it's what will drive our long-term growth.

You can read more about our initiatives in our 2026 ESG Report, alongside what it means to be a Great Place to Work certified business.