Why Culture Wins: INC Group’s Gold Standard for Employee Happiness
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
INC Group Takes Gold for Best Place to Work (Medium) — Employee Happiness Awards 2025
| Written by Charlotte Gibbs, Marketing Lead, INC Group
In high-pressure industries where delivery timelines are tight and competition for talent is constant, building a sustainable people-first culture is often easier said than done. Across the Middle East’s design and construction landscape, organisations are navigating multicultural teams, rapid growth, and evolving employee expectations, all while trying to maintain engagement, retention, and wellbeing.
It is within this reality that INC Group shaped a culture focused not just on performance, but on genuine employee happiness. That long-term commitment earned the organization Gold for Best Place to Work (Medium) at the 2025 Employee Happiness Awards UAE, standing out among more than 380 entries across 26 categories and competing alongside major brands from aviation, banking, logistics, retail, and real estate.
For INC Group, a leading Design & Build firm operating across the Middle East and Africa, the recognition reflected a philosophy built deliberately over time: when culture is treated as strategy, it becomes a true competitive advantage.
Culture Over Perks: Building Foundations That Last
Rather than focusing on surface-level benefits, INC Group’s approach has centred on building trust, clarity, and connection first. In a fast-paced industry where pressure is constant, leadership prioritised sustainable workplace practices designed to support both performance and wellbeing.
Structured initiatives reinforce this philosophy. A dedicated Wellbeing Committee leads programmes that promote health and balance, supported by flexible work options, mental health resources, life insurance benefits, and additional leave for long-service employees.
At the same time, internal recognition programmes celebrate everyday contributions, from peer-nominated awards such as “Employee’s Employee of the Year” to recognition for unsung heroes who go beyond their formal roles.
The decision to enter the Employee Happiness Awards came as part of INC Group’s 2025 strategy to diversify its awards portfolio. While the company is widely recognised for design excellence and project delivery, leadership felt it was time to spotlight something less visible but equally vital: its people.
“So much happens beyond our projects,” the team explains. “There are colleagues who may not be on the front line, but whose contribution is critical to our success. We wanted to showcase that we see them, value them, and are committed to creating an environment where they can thrive.”
“It’s a competitive industry,” the leadership team notes. “Talent is our biggest advantage.”
From Recognition to Action: Listening That Drives Change
Winning at the Employee Happiness Awards became a catalyst rather than a conclusion. In the months that followed, INC Group introduced a comprehensive employee wellbeing survey designed as a genuine listening exercise rather than a compliance tool.
The feedback translated directly into tangible initiatives, including:
A Tazizi fridge to encourage healthier eating habits
Department cricket leagues that foster connection beyond daily work
The opening of a new Riyadh office to better support regional teams
Beyond these changes, feedback also shaped internal communication and development efforts. The organisation expanded its use of the Workvivo platform to strengthen connectivity across locations and introduced financial literacy sessions, tech talks, and personal development programmes to support both professional and personal growth.
The outcome demonstrated a simple but powerful principle: when organisations listen first and act with intent, employees respond with stronger engagement and trust.
An Authentic Celebration of People
The awards gala itself reflected the values INC champions internally. From the organisation to the atmosphere, the evening felt purposeful and authentic.
“The energy in the room was incredible,” the team shared. “It ran on time, the dinner was excellent, and most importantly, it genuinely celebrated people. There was a real sense that employee happiness wasn’t a buzzword, it was the reason everyone was there.”
That alignment between the gala and INC’s own values made the recognition feel earned rather than symbolic.
Leadership That Sets the Tone
At INC Group, culture is not owned by HR alone; it is shaped daily by leadership across divisions.
Bronwyn Thomson, Chief Human Capital Officer at INC Group, reflects on the evolution of the organisation’s approach:
“I’m extremely proud of the workplace culture we have created at INC Group. During my ten-year tenure with the company, we have built stronger relationships with one another and adopted new practices to ensure we stay ahead of evolving times.”
Career growth plays a central role in this culture. A strong promote-from-within philosophy enables employees to move from entry-level positions into leadership roles, reinforcing a sense of long-term opportunity. Continuous training, internal mobility, and recognition programmes support development at every stage, contributing to low staff turnover and sustained engagement.
Inclusion, Wellbeing and Shared Responsibility
With a workforce representing more than 25 nationalities, INC Group’s culture reflects a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Equal opportunity policies and a focus on balanced representation in leadership help ensure employees from all backgrounds can thrive.
Work-life balance is reinforced through town halls, team-building initiatives, and company-wide celebrations that strengthen relationships beyond daily tasks. Sustainability also plays a role in the employee experience. Through a voluntary “green team,” employees contribute ideas and lead projects that support environmental and social responsibility within the business and broader community.
Recognition Beyond the Organisation
INC Group’s people-first approach is visible not only internally but also to partners and collaborators.
Boyd Edmondson, Business Partner at Seven Insurance Brokers LLC, describes the organisation from an external perspective:
“I have had the pleasure of working with INC as a client, and I can genuinely say they are an organisation that stands head and shoulders above the rest in terms of their care and commitment to their colleagues.”
He adds:
“Their programmes address not only physical health, but mental and emotional wellbeing too. INC’s approach reflects a deep understanding of the holistic nature of happiness and a genuine dedication to creating a thriving, happy community.”
Culture as a Long-Term Strategy
Being named Best Place to Work (Medium) is both a celebration and an ongoing responsibility for INC Group. The award reinforces a broader lesson for organisations across industries: investing in people is not simply a cultural aspiration; it is a strategic driver of performance, retention, and growth.
As INC Group continues to expand across markets, its people-first mindset remains central to how it operates and evolves. Culture is not treated as a campaign or short-term initiative, but as an integral part of everyday decision-making.
In an industry defined by deadlines, delivery, and detail, INC Group’s journey offers a clear takeaway: when employees feel valued, heard, and supported, excellence becomes a natural outcome rather than an enforced target.
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