People & Culture
We are proud to be a people business. Welcoming hospitality and expert knowledge are our keystones and we invest heavily in recruiting colleagues of the highest calibre and focusing on their training and development and fostering their careers.
Our goal is to partner with the most prestigious Swiss luxury brands to deliver an unrivalled client experience that is welcoming, engaging and underpinned by the deep category knowledge of our teams. Our colleagues love what they do and are dedicated to being experts in the world of luxury watches. In return, we work hard to make sure that they feel equipped for the task and valued for their contributions via our award-winning recognition programmes.
In the UK, our digital VibE platform and Brilliance points system encourages managers and colleagues to instantly recognise and applaud those seen to be living the Group’s values; in the US, the Celebrating Success programme applauds individual teams and successes.
Across the Group, we share stories and successes via Workplace, an engaging two way communication platform.
We value learning very highly and opportunities are available to all
We set the bar high at the Watches of Switzerland Group and complacency is not something we understand. Each of our team of 2,900 dedicated colleagues know what’s expected of them and come to work each day determined to excel.
Delivering the highest level of client experience is integral to what we do and our colleagues are proud to call themselves experts in the luxury watch and jewellery sector.
We have an established range of in-house training programmes including Bronze and Silver Academies, GIA and leadership initiatives support progression and career development. In addition, we are proud to collaborate with our strategic brand partners to deliver intensive, expert product knowledge and in depth customer experience training. We continue to prioritise Xenia - our global Client Experience Programme driving high levels of quality and service across the Group.
Our industry leading digital e-learning platform means that learning is multi-dimensional, fun and easy to access by all.
Diversity & Inclusion
Respect is a core value in our Group. We continue to work together to cultivate a secure and supportive workplace with equal opportunities and inclusion at the centre. We actively promote diversity of thought and opinions, and we recruit, develop and promote colleagues from different backgrounds.
Progress against our strategy to date:
Inclusion: 77% of our Group colleagues in our annual Colleague Engagement Survey agree that they ‘work in an environment where everyone can be included, respected and accepted for who they are’.
Gender balance: Our percentage of females in our Executive Team1 and their direct reports is 51%, broadly consistent with FY23 and gives us gender balance at the senior levels of the organisation. We define gender balance as at least 40% male or female at leadership team level.
Representation: We have achieved the target for ethnic diversity at Board level as set out in the Parker Review.
health and wellbeing
We are committed to maintaining safety standards that comply with legislation and enable colleagues to be confident that their workplace is safe. Our Health & Safety Policy applies to all business activities and premises to ensure the health, safety and welfare of our colleagues, clients and visitors. A Health & Safety Committee comprising senior leaders from our UK and US operations meets regularly and a rolling review and audit programme is in place. A formal mechanism for reporting accidents is in place and we work closely with a third party provider.– Annual UK and US raid training delivered in partnership with our security partners.
