The importance of work life balance at Hope Capital

By

Kate Cowan, Chief Financial Officer at Hope Capital (1)

When work-life balance is at risk, small gestures like free lunches or staff drinks can only go so far.

While we value these initiatives, at Hope Capital, our goal is to ensure that work does not amplify any personal challenges our team members may be facing.

We believe that no one should have to choose between their personal lives and their careers.

Our well-being and benefits portal, myHOPE, serves as a valuable resource for our team, providing information on business-wide initiatives designed to foster a healthy work-life balance.

These include enhanced maternity and paternity leave, flexible working hours, and additional leave for special occasions such as birthdays, weddings, and moving into a new home.

By providing these benefits, we hope to reinforce our gratitude for our team’s hard work and dedication, ensuring they feel supported no matter the circumstances.

Small Changes That Make a Big Difference

The specialist lending sector is undeniably fast-paced, making effective time and energy management essential.

For me, a key focus has been “energy accounting”, planning both my work and personal commitments in a way that balances energy expenditure with recovery time.

Implementing this concept across our team this year has had a profound impact, improving both business performance and employee well-being.

Simple adjustments to daily routines and communication styles can enhance efficiency, teamwork, and overall job satisfaction.

It’s remarkable how small tweaks can lead to significant improvements in both professional and personal life.

Core Values That Drive Balance

At Hope Capital, our behavioural framework ensures that our core values, flexibility, integrity, collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer focus, are embedded in everything we do.

Our ethos is not just about what we achieve but also how we work together to achieve it.

Trust is fundamental to our approach. We operate on a two-way street, team members are encouraged to be open about their circumstances, and in turn, they can trust senior management to provide support.

I personally believe in a “train, not blame” culture, where we view challenges, whether personal or professional, as opportunities for growth and learning.

Fairness is another key principle. Every workplace accommodation request is assessed with the understanding that no personal challenge should be trivialised.

We want every team member to feel they can seek help without fear of judgment, ensuring equal support is available to all.

The Impact of Flexibility

Managing a full-time career while raising two neurodivergent children presents unique challenges. From attending medical appointments to advocating for educational support, the responsibilities can be overwhelming.

Hope Capital’s flexibility has been a game-changer for me. Acknowledging the impact of my parental responsibilities and leveraging the support available through myHOPE and flexible working arrangements has allowed me to find a balance that works for both my family and my career.

This approach has enabled me to be fully present in both aspects of my life, eliminating the guilt that often accompanies working parenthood.

Building for the Future

As Hope Capital continues to grow, we are committed to maintaining our strong company culture.

Our newly formed social committee, comprising representatives from every department, plays a key role in fostering connection and inclusion.

Through carefully planned events and initiatives, we aim to strengthen relationships and enhance team spirit.

Rewarding our employees and maintaining a positive workplace culture remains a priority.

We recognise that a successful business is built on a foundation of engaged, motivated, and supported employees.

The Importance of Diversity

Diversity is a driving force behind Hope Capital’s success.

A mix of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives fosters a culture of respect and innovation.

By eliminating bias in our recruitment process, we ensure we hire the best candidates for every role, reducing staff turnover and strengthening our team.

Currently, 82% of our senior management team and 66% of our overall workforce are women, figures that challenge industry norms.

While we take great pride in this achievement, our focus remains on hiring the most qualified individuals, ensuring our approach to diversity is meaningful and not just a box-ticking exercise.

A strong support structure starts with values, culture, and leadership.

Our senior management team, backed by our CEO, Jonathan Sealey, is dedicated to maintaining a positive work environment where every team member feels valued and supported.

Recognised as an Employer of Choice

Our commitment to work-life balance has not gone unnoticed. Hope Capital was recently awarded the Mortgage Industry Employer of Choice 2024, a testament to our dedication to employee well-being.

This recognition reinforces our belief that a business can thrive while prioritising the needs of its team.

As we continue to grow, we remain committed to evolving our support systems, ensuring we retain our status as a leading employer in the bridging finance sector.

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