FIVE PILLARS
5. ENGAGING OUR PEOPLE
In 2024, Matthew Algie officially merged with Tchibo Coffee International and Capitol Foods to become Matthew Algie GB and Ireland. Our HR team have worked hard over the last two years to make this transition as smooth as possible, ensuring all employees are supported. Read this section to find out more about this merge, as well as our 160th birthday celebrations and how we have improved the benefits that we offer for our employees.
Goal Update
Click on each of the below goals to see our progress in 2023 and 2024:
Our
Ambition
for 2025
· 100% of employee reviews conducted and managed via PeopleHR.
· Launch of new online e-learning modules.
The Matthew Algie Group: A Great Place to Work
In 2016 and 2018, Matthew Algie and Capitol Foods, respectively, were bought by Tchibo, a German based coffee and café chain, with operations across Europe. Since then, the GB and Ireland branches have continued to operate within their separate entities but, recognising the values and reputation that the name Matthew Algie represents in Great Britain and Ireland, when the Group decided to consolidate, the natural leading brand was Matthew Algie. This merging of the three businesses officially happened in August 2023, with the merger of the Irish business, and later in January 2024 for the businesses in Great Britain. To carry these mergers out, a lot of work went in behind the scenes across the business, with a considerable workload for our Human Resources Team. With just under 400 employees across GB and Ireland, the HR team have worked to merge the teams and support our people in the transition. We are also proud to say that we have consolidated and upgraded our benefits system, with the best benefits being taken from each company and then expanded to all, with a few extra added in. We are excited for what the future holds for Matthew Algie, and as we head into 2025, we will continue to make the company a great place to work.
Nikki Herridge, Head of Human Resources
Launch of “Lunch and Learns”
In 2023, we launched an engagement and learning tool, “Lunch & Learn”. Approximately once a month, employees from across the business are invited to dial in for a bite-sized update relating to quality, coffee sourcing or sustainability. We have used these as an opportunity to engage our colleagues on a range of topics, from explaining the significance of the new European Union’s Deforestation Regulation to understanding the results of our carbon accounting. External partners have also hosted these sessions, for example the Fairtrade Foundation and Home Energy Scotland.
Since the launch in 2023, we have delivered 8 sessions with an average of 30 people attending. These have demonstrated a great way to engage our employees, delivering information in an alternative way, and have had a great response.
“In the last two years there has been a diverse range of Lunch and Learn sessions! I virtually ‘travelled’ to Brazil to see how coffee is being cultivated and witness a long journey from bean to cup. I got familiar with the life of farmers, their hardship and how Fairtrade helps to develop the cooperatives. In addition, we heard from Normative, our carbon accounting partner, on climate change and the importance of calculating our greenhouse gas emissions. In association with Home Energy Scotland, we looked at how to reduce our energy costs at home over the winter as well as highlighting what we can do in our offices to reduce our environmental impact. Thanks to the Lunch and Learn session we introduced many elements in the Epsom office - we reuse, repair and recycle, use LED lights and use natural light and insulation instead of aircon. Generally, they have helped us to follow company values.”
Magda Colley, Coffee IQ Executive
"55% of employees surveyed said they had attended a Lunch & Learn in the past year"
"85% of those who had attended a Lunch and Learn said they were effective in increasing their understanding"
Employee Benefits
In June 2024, we successfully launched the Cycle to Work Scheme through Salary Extras, a sister platform of our HR system. We are pleased to offer this Government-supported initiative, which not only encourages healthier lifestyles and reduces travel costs for our people but also contributes to a more sustainable society by improving air quality. The Scheme is structured through a Salary Sacrifice arrangement, enabling our people to save up to 42% on the cost of a bicycle and related cycling accessories over a 12-month period, thanks to reductions in tax and National Insurance contributions. In addition, we have introduced the Holiday Purchase Scheme via the Salary Extras platform, providing employees with the opportunity to buy extra holiday days. This scheme offers both increased time off and potential tax savings of up to 42% through salary sacrifice. Employees who choose to sell back holiday days can also benefit from a lump sum payment. We are excited to continue to offer these additional benefits in 2025, as we believe they represent a great way to support the health and wellbeing of our employees while also offering financial advantage.
In line with our group merger under the Matthew Algie brand, we have successfully consolidated and enhanced our Employee Benefits Packages by adopting the more favourable aspects from all companies. A key improvement is that we established a comprehensive Holiday Entitlement Policy designed to reward long service. Under this policy, employees will accrue a maximum of 38 days’ holiday, including bank holidays, after six years of service.
Recognising the importance of both health and financial wellbeing, we offer a generous Company Sick Pay entitlement. Employees with more than one year of service are eligible for full pay for up to four weeks of sickness absence. This entitlement increases to 15 weeks of full pay for those who have been with the company for over ten years. Furthermore, we are committed to safeguarding the long-term security of employees through Income Protection and Life Assurance policies. In the event of extended illness, employees who are unable to work for more than 26 weeks are supported through our Group Income Protection Policy, which provides 50% of their monthly salary for up to two years, to help prevent any financial hardship. Additionally, under the Life Assurance Policy, employees who are enrolled in the company’s pension scheme are entitled to a lump sum benefit of six times their basic annual salary (four times annual salary for those not enrolled in the pension scheme).
Sujin Yoon, Payroll & Benefits Business Partner
"Cycle to work is a fantastic scheme, very straight forward to apply and purchase. Since getting my new bike, I've cycled more in the last 6 months than the previous 3 years - great for health and wellbeing."
Alastair Bell, IT Director
Matthew Algie’s 160th Birthday
This year, we proudly celebrate a remarkable milestone—Matthew Algie's 160th birthday. As we reflect on over a century and a half of passion for coffee, we are deeply grateful to our dedicated employees and valued partners who have been integral to our success. But this milestone is about more than looking back; it’s an opportunity to give back. In the spirit of celebration, we are committed to raising funds for local charities and making a meaningful impact in our communities, continuing the values that have guided us for generations.
To kick off our 160th birthday celebrations in true Matthew Algie style, we hosted a vibrant ‘Birthday Bake Sale’ across our offices in Glasgow, Epsom, and Ireland, all in support of our three chosen staff charities. With a fun birthday theme set weeks in advance, our teams embraced the spirit of the occasion, coming together to enjoy a slice of our big birthday cake and take part in exciting activities like ‘Guess the Weight of the Cake,’ raffles, and sweepstakes. Through the generosity and enthusiasm of our staff, we proudly raised over £2,000 for local charities, marking the beginning of a year of giving back.
On Tuesday, 5th November 2024, Matthew Algie marked its remarkable 160th birthday with a vibrant celebration for our Glasgow office staff that truly lit up the evening. To honour this milestone and show our appreciation for our hardworking team, we hosted a gourmet BBQ catered by an exceptional external company, serving up delicious dishes that delighted everyone. The festivities coincided with Bonfire Night, adding an extra layer of excitement, and the event was crowned with a spectacular surprise fireworks display that left everyone in awe. The celebration was not only a moment to reflect on our legacy but also an opportunity to boost employee morale, fostering camaraderie and pride as we look forward to the future together. Building on the success of this event, we are excited to announce plans for 2025 to make similar gatherings a regular occurrence, with quarterly celebrations that will also include our colleagues in Epsom and Ireland, strengthening connections across our entire team.
Rosyln Coombe, Head of Marketing
