Relationships are
the source of
results.
Working with leaders to build cultures of connection
Our Mission
We work with leaders to drive results by building cultures of connection.
We do this through ongoing programmes and workshops.
Our proactive, group-based approach teaches people to listen well and connects them meaningfully with others, strengthening relationships, engagement and wellbeing.
Our Impact
Business leaders are frustrated with initiatives that don’t lead to results or sustain impact over time. WITHIN is different.
Improves connection & belonging
"The programme strengthens the social fabric of an organisation. If you're looking for real growth & development for your people and your culture, then it's absolutely worth the investment."
Chief of Staff, Marketing Services Agency
Improves and sustains wellbeing
Participants report significant positive changes in wellbeing (measured on the WHO5 wellbeing scale). Average increases in wellbeing scores are large and well maintained even after six months.
Improves employee engagement
A recent programme for 20 agency leaders led to +15% improvement on ‘proud to work here’ and +14% on ‘leadership take people’s wellbeing and mental health seriously’
Our Clients
"I felt connected to others at work in a way I haven't in my ten years at this company. I love how we quickly established a container that allowed me to be me and others to be themselves. I learned, I grew, I connected. The programme offered me a truly meaningful sense of connection to colleagues that I have never experienced before.”
VP, C Space
Our Approach
Our programmes work because they combine learning, practice and relationship building
Learning
Increase emotional literacy
Build individual, team and organisational resilience
Strengthen leadership and management skills
Practice
Talk truthfully about what’s going on behind the social mask
Be well listened to
Get non-judgemental responses
Relationship-building
Connect meaningfully with others
Build trust to improve performance
Strengthen relationships in remote and hybrid environments
"I have 'learned to listen' several times but these techniques feel more effective by illustrating all of what you would otherwise have missed by the usual interventions.
I’m left feeling that I know these people better than I otherwise would. The power of the exercises? To cause reflection about the richness of connection I have missed out on over the years by ‘fixing’ or ‘hijacking’. I look at the techniques we learned as keys to getting really close to people quickly.”
Innovation Director, Harley Davidson
How WITHIN compares to other approaches
"It's been 20 months since I took part, and I am still meeting with my small group on a weekly basis. The 30 minutes a week has helped me navigate challenging times in my personal and professional life."
Jessie Stettin, Chief of Staff, C Space
Our News
Mental Health & Wellbeing Awards
Our partner, Talk For Health was just announced the winner for ‘Best Long Term Impact’ at the 2022 Mental Health & Wellbeing Awards. This category celebrates mental health and wellbeing interventions that evidence a positive impact over at least 5 years.
Case Study
Building connection in a hybrid workspace
Building connection in a hybrid workspace
Challenge
Global marketing services agency, C Space (part of Interbrand Group, Omnicom) employs 450 people across the UK, US and Europe with a high proportion of remote workers.
Pressures from COVID, agency life, and blurred boundaries between home and work were leading to stress, mental health leaves, and attrition.
C Space had already implemented some fantastic wellbeing initiatives (mental health days, yoga, resilience trainers, mental health first-aiding and wellness stipends) to varying degrees of effectiveness. Leaders wanted to do more to empower people to prioritise self-care in a more sustainable and proactive way.
What we did
3 cohorts participated in the programme (total of 50 C Spacers, ranging from C-Suite leaders through to junior team members across teams and regions)
Participants were coached to set up and run their own groups which met weekly during and after the programme to sustain its impact
Impact
Significant positive changes in wellbeing.
Improved employee retention. One year later, people who participated were significantly more likely to still be working at C Space than those who did not.
92% completion, with an average satisfaction score of 4.7/5.
The start of a cultural shift from wellness 'perks and benefits' towards investment in sustainable practices which empower employees to support themselves.
6 months later, a majority of participants reported using strategies from the programme in their personal and professional lives, with many still meeting for weekly group sessions.
Shortlisted for ‘Best Targeted Mental Health Initiative’ in the 2022 This Can Happen Awards and 'Best New Mental Health Initiative' in the 2023 InsideOut Awards which celebrate excellence in workplace mental health.
“The programme made me feel safe, heard, and valued at my workplace. It has been the most impactful career development tool. I am proud my organization provided this opportunity and gave us the tools to bring our whole selves to work.”
Olivia Verheyen, Senior Consultant
"I loved how simple it was to participate, try out the new techniques, and how immediate the impact was!"
Organisation Design Partner, Aviva
Our Team
As business leaders, we have first-hand experience of building and transforming organisations.
As senior execs in our last firm, we commissioned a mental health and connection programme that really made a difference. Wellbeing improved. Engagement increased. Participants felt more connected with colleagues than they’d ever felt before.
Experiencing the power of an approach that really worked, that really tackled underlying issues and strengthened our culture, inspired us to take on this mission full-time. That’s why we founded WITHIN.
Felix Koch
Co-Founder & Managing Partner of WITHIN
Felix had a varied and rewarding career at C Space, from rapidly scaling a new subscription offer and successfully managing the business post-acquisition by Omnicom to heading up the EMEA & APAC regions. Felix's strong focus on clients saw him deliver pioneering insight and innovation programmes for the likes of Google, Samsung, British Airways, IKEA and Jaguar Land Rover. Together with Phil, Felix led EMEA as Joint MDs. During that time they won Best Agency and Best Place to Work and were listed as one of Management Today’s Top Male Agents for Change for championing gender equity in business.
Phil Burgess
Co-Founder & Managing Partner of WITHIN
After several years running C Space’s London office with Felix, Phil spent four years in Boston as C Space’s Chief People Officer where he oversaw Learning & Development, Human Resources, Talent Acquisition and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. He and his team were proud winners of Learning Team of the Year at the 2020 Learning Awards. Phil is regularly asked to contribute to podcasts, webinars and books on leadership and culture-building and is passionate about helping businesses to create psychologically safe workplaces where people can thrive.
Nicky Forsythe, MBACP
Co-Founder of WITHIN
CEO of Talk for Health
Nicky is an accredited Psychotherapist, researcher and innovator in mental health. She developed the Talk for Health programme in 2008 having witnessed mental distress in her own family, driven by the vision of making mental health support as accessible as tap water. Talk For Health has supported 1,000+ people in local communities. Nicky is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a Woman of the Year Alumna and a Fellow of the Zinc Mental Health Venture Builder. She is a Lead Facilitator and Trainer at Talk For Health and oversees all community programmes as well as “Train the Trainer” courses.
Phil Burgess
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
Phil@within.business
+44 (0)7442 159 634
Felix Koch
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
Felix@within.business
+44 (0)7942 555 943