Flourish Wins Small Employer of the Year at WBTC Awards!

Flourish has been named Small Employer of the Year at the 2025 WBTC Rising Stars and Employer Awards, and we couldn’t be prouder.

Company News
WBTC awards 2025

Held at the Arlington Arts Centre last Thursday, the event was a celebration of the people powering change through apprenticeships, and the organisations helping them to shine. For us, this award is more than just a trophy.

It’s a recognition of everything our team stands for: investing in people, championing potential, and doing things differently.

Rachel Houlden, Managing Director at Flourish said:

“We’re absolutely over the moon here at Flourish to have won Small Employer of the Year at the WBTC Rising Stars and Employer Awards 2025! It was such a joy to be part of the event.”

“It means a lot to us to be recognised for something we care so deeply about: supporting people to grow, thrive and build brighter futures. We’re proud of our team, proud of our apprentices, and incredibly grateful to WBTC.”

Flourish has supported seven apprentices so far. All were offered permanent roles after completing their training - and two are still with us, playing a vital part in the business.

This year’s award shines a particular light on the incredible progress of Ruby Rose and Rebecca Poynter, both Customer Care Apprentices, and the person guiding them behind the scenes: Flourish’s own Sam Tweeddale.

The Apprenticeship Journey – Guided by Care

Sam, who designed and implemented the induction programme, has been instrumental in shaping the early careers of Ruby and Rebecca. Her support and structured guidance have helped both apprentices settle in, grow, and flourish.

Ruby joined the team in October 2024, and was the first new recruit to go through the revamped induction process. Not only did she help test and refine it, but she set the tone for future apprentices with her enthusiasm and sharp learning curve.

Ruby completed Flourish’s Customer First training and has confidently handled complex customer conversations ever since. She’s contributed to major internal projects, including testing the new Learning Management System (LMS) and updating key resources and articles – all while delivering high-quality work in her day-to-day responsibilities.

“Ruby is a consistent, positive force within the Customer Care team,” said Sam. “She’s proactive, professional, and always eager to contribute. She’s a real asset to Flourish.”

Rebecca joined a couple of months later, in December 2024. She took the time to deeply understand each process, asking thoughtful questions and methodically building her knowledge. With the help of Customer First telephone training, Rebecca soon found the confidence to handle calls independently – even taking on complex queries and mastering tricky tasks like mail merges and Excel formulas.

Rebecca’s growth has been nothing short of remarkable. From helping to update process documentation to supporting her peers with technical challenges, she’s become an invaluable member of the team.

“Rebecca’s transformation has been incredible to watch,” said Sam. “She’s grown into a confident, capable professional who’s always ready to help others. We’re so proud of everything she’s achieved.”

A Partnership That Works

Flourish’s long-standing partnership with WBTC has led to four previous awards and four finalist placements – and this latest win feels especially significant.

Sam added:

“Apprenticeships aren’t just about giving people a foot in the door. They’re about truly investing in someone’s growth. Ruby and Rebecca have shown what’s possible when that support is real, practical, and rooted in trust. This award is for them, and for every apprentice shaping a brighter future.”

As Ruby and Rebecca continue to grow in their roles, and as Sam continues to support the next wave of talent, Flourish’s win is more than a celebration of the past year, it’s a sign of even brighter things to come.

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