Over 60 members of staff took to Gambledown Farm to let their hair down after remote working.

A motivating morning bootcamp, workshops, talks and sessions to cover all aspects of taking care of yourself was a welcome treat for the team.

Etch, the leading digital consultancy firm held its team getaway festival at Gambledown Farm, Romsey last week.

The staff retreat was held over two days, 8 and 9 July and dozens of the firms’ employees plus a wider network of freelancers, contractors and suppliers celebrated being able to get together after remote working.

The event was the first of its kind and all ‘Work-talk’ was banned with the aim to reconnect the team.

Andy Moore, award-winning theologian and philosopher, Jordan Wylie, national ambassador for the Army Cadet Force and star on TV series 'Hunted' and John Deagle, founder of Southampton Family Trust are just a few of the people who turned out to give motivational speeches.

Etch was one of the first businesses in the region to pioneer remote working before the pandemic so they were already operationally set up ahead of the pandemic.

The founders and management team have embraced the changing workplace landscape and adapted their approach to ensure employees remain both productive and happy.

Speaking about the company’s approach to the changing needs of its staff, co-owner Shelly Frame said: “At the start of the first lockdown, our focus turned to foster a thriving remote working culture that made the wellbeing of our staff a major priority. Our approach to remote working involved a solid structure to keep the team happy and connected. And all this goes for hybrid working too.”

Etch believes in taking the time to invest in the well-being of its staff by adopting and fostering an inclusive culture that not only aims to retain its team but encourages them to thrive too.