Medigold Health Managers Day… why communication really matters
Late last year, we brought almost 100 managers together for a dedicated Managers Development Day with one clear focus… communication.
Not communication as a corporate buzzword. But communication as it actually shows up day-to-day… in conversations, decisions, meetings, feedback, leadership announcements and all the bits in between.
The day took place at our investors’, BGF, HQ in Birmingham, giving us the chance to step away from the day job and create space for reflection, connection and honest discussion. And yes… a very decent lunch, plus plenty of good conversation and a few laughs along the way!
In a business like ours, communication really matters. Internally, it shapes how our people feel, how aligned teams are, and how confident managers are in leading through change. Externally, it underpins trust with clients, their employees, partners and the people we support every day. It also plays a key role in bringing our Medigold Genetic Code (aka our culture and values) to life. Getting it right isn’t a ‘nice to have’… it’s fundamental to our success.
Starting the day with a shift in perspective
We kicked off the day with leadership speaker Mark Fritz, an international speaker and author whose work focuses on leadership, accountability and how people experience work in real life.
His session, Why you never wash a rental car, got people thinking straight away. It was engaging, relatable and challenging. At its heart was a simple idea… when people feel ownership and purpose, they show up differently. When they don’t, even the best intentions can miss the mark.
It set an energetic tone for the day and gave everyone a shared reference point to come back to.
From there, our CEO Alex Goldsmith and Chief People Officer Katie Wery welcomed managers and talked through our strategic direction, and why communication plays such a big role in how we lead and work together at Medigold.
Communication should sit at the heart of everything we do at Medigold Health. How we talk to each other, how we listen, and how clearly we set direction shapes the experience people have at work. As a business that supports health and wellbeing, this really matters, for our teams internally and for the organisations, clients and employees that we support every day. This day was about creating space for honest conversation, shared understanding and stronger leadership, so we can keep building a business our people feel proud to be part of and our clients trust.
– Alex Goldsmith, CEO
Creating space for honest conversation
A large part of the day was built around group reflection, giving managers the space to step back and look honestly at what’s working well, where communication can feel unclear or inconsistent, and what that means for teams day to day.
These conversations were open, practical and grounded in real experience. They were a reminder that good communication doesn’t sit with one team or one role. It’s shaped by all of us in everyday interactions.
This was followed by a board panel and Q&A, creating the opportunity for managers to ask their burning questions, challenge thinking and hear directly from senior leaders about direction, priorities and what comes next.
Being a great place to work doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from investing in our people, creating space to learn and develop, and bringing teams together to connect properly. Days like this matter because they support our managers to grow, strengthen our culture, and help everyone feel part of one Medigold team.
–Katie Wery, Chief People Officer
The value of connection
Lunch gave people the chance to chat more informally, catch up with colleagues and get to know people outside their usual teams.
The afternoon then turned to communication and engagement in practice, led by our Chief Operating Officer, Rich Smith. The focus was on how everyday communication shapes engagement, wellbeing and culture, and how small, consistent actions can make a real difference.
From an operational point of view, clear communication is critical. It creates alignment, reduces friction and helps teams make better decisions day-to-day. When people understand the ‘why’ as well as the ‘what’, everything runs more smoothly and we deliver a better experience for our people and our clients.
-Rich Smith, Chief Operating Officer
Real shared experiences
One of the standout moments of the day was a fireside chat hosted by our Head of OH, Jay West, featuring; Katia Rock (Associate Director of Nursing), Guy Etchells (Senior OHT), Vics Berry (Head of Customer Service) and Sam Scully (Associate Director – Alcohol & Drug division).
They shared honest stories about communication at work. What’s helped, what’s been tricky, and what they’ve learned along the way. It was real, relatable and landed well.
And, much like Mark’s opening session, it reinforced a simple truth. When people feel heard and involved, the way they show up changes.
What our managers told us
Feedback from managers was overwhelmingly positive. 100% said they really enjoyed the day and felt it was relevant to their role, with many highlighting how valuable it was to meet colleagues in person and connect with teams from across the Medigold Health Group.
After speaking with people on a screen for 4 years was great to meet people in person. The day was fun and engaging and took skills and ideas away which you can actually implement in your daily working life. Great to be able to sit and talk openly and honestly with more senior members of the business and they spoke very openly and honestly with the questions which were being asked.
–Becky York, Clinical Resources Team Leader
The targeted format of the day and the degree of focus on what was absolutely the right topic for now. The previous one I attended was great, but this one was even better! It was great to get time to speak to colleagues during the breaks and internal networking sessions too. The smaller audience for the day also worked better, making the day feel more collaborative, which was also greatly helped by the board members openness and approach to some of the more challenging questions or statements.
-Amie Cook, Client Relationship Director
Why days like this matter at Medigold
At Medigold Health, communication isn’t a side conversation. It’s central to how we lead, how we work together and how we show up for our clients. When communication is clear and human, our people feel more connected, managers lead with confidence, and teams are better placed to do their best work.
There was such a positive energy in the room throughout the day. When people come together to talk openly, share experiences and learn from each other, it creates real momentum. That sense of connection is what drives engagement and helps bring our amazing Medigold Genetic Code to life!
-Gemma Ely, Head of Employee Engagement
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