Mackie’s recent Employer Brand of the Year win is a clear reflection of its people-led approach. In this Q&A, People and Development Manager Laura Douglas-Smith shares insights into the values behind the employer brand, the importance of giving employees a meaningful voice, and how continued investment in people underpins both culture and performance.
What does winning The Marketing Society's Employer Brand of the Year mean to Mackie’s?
Winning Employer Brand of the Year reinforces Mackie’s focus on being a people-oriented, sustainably-minded organisation and celebrates that employees have shaped the business. It validates the company’s long-term commitment to community, innovation, and staff wellbeing, demonstrating that our values driven approach is recognised and making a meaningful impact. In particular it means a lot to the People and Development team, who have worked hard to make sure the people at Mackie’s continue to develop and find reward in their work.
How would you describe Mackie’s employer brand in a few words?
Our long-standing vision is for Mackie’s to be a global brand from the greenest company in Britain, created by people having fun. The final pillar of this (admittedly ambitious) goal is based on the culture and happiness of those working here, and something which the business is committed to achieving.
Employee voice featured strongly in your award entry. Why has this been such an important focus for the business?
At Mackie’s we believe our success is built on people who feel heard and valued. Our current priority, and a priority of the last few years, has been improving communication across the business. For everyone to feel a part of the company and to care about their work, they need to have a good understanding of more than just what’s in front of them. This is something we’ve made great strides on in recent years, and will continue to work on.
How do you see the relationship between your employer brand and business performance?
Mackie’s strong employer brand directly supports business performance by encouraging long-service, increasing the shared pool of expertise and knowledge and engagement. It also aids Mackie’s ability to recruit as we grow, helping us to secure the best talent available for new positions as they become available.
What are the next steps for Mackie’s as you continue to build on this award win?
Mackie's next steps involve deepening investment in staff development through training, communication, and sustainability. Initiatives such as our staff forum, long-service rewards, and community partnerships will continue to evolve. We aim to enhance opportunities for learning, strengthen cross-departmental enagement, and support future talent as the business grows.
What advice would you offer to other organisations looking to strengthen their employer brand?
We have found that a focus on authentic, consistent communication, and stepping up proactive efforts listen to our team have reaped rewards in the working environment, culture and ultimately business performance.
