Scott Bentley, Truro Partner, PKF Francis Clark
A Truro accountancy firm is in line for a top sports award after seeing nearly two thirds of its staff take part in physical activities centred around the workplace.
PKF Francis Clark’s Truro office has been shortlisted in the ‘Active Workplace of the Year’ category of the 2016 Cornwall Sports Awards. The result will be announced on November 4.
About 100 staff are employed in the Truro office with 60 per cent actively involved in physical activities during the last 12 months.
Group involvement has ranged from a walking treasure hunt, inter-office cycling event, cricket matches, Get Active Cornwall Challenge and a 5k run to the Tuff Enuff obstacle course, the Cornwall Beach Games, Classic Quarter run from Lizard Point to Lands End and the fearsomely titled ‘Boot Camp’.
Truro Partner Scott Bentley said: “We’re really proud to be nominated for this award but even prouder of the fact that so many of our staff take part in physical activities.
“Our day to day jobs are mentally, but not physically, challenging and can be stressful at times. It has been proven that physical exercise is a great way to improve your mental wellbeing and combat the negative effects of stress.
“The activities are also a great ‘leveller’ allowing staff from all parts of the firm to mix together and they contribute to PKF Francis Clark being a great place to work.
“Whatever the result of the awards it will not dampen our enthusiasm to continue with the activities. After all, it is the taking part that counts,” added Scott.
Many of the activities involving staff help raise funds for the office’s nominated charity, currently Cornwall Air Ambulance. Staff vote for the charity and PKF Francis Clark match funds every penny raised by the team, providing extra motivation to staff and a sense of satisfaction.
The increase in physical activities at the Truro office follows the introduction of a firm-wide Health & Wellbeing programme in 2015. Two ‘champions’ were also trained and a Health & Wellbeing committee formed.
In addition, PKF Francis Clark introduced more flexible working hours last year allowing some employees to fit their sporting activities in more easily around work.
Earlier this year the Truro office was awarded a Cornwall Healthy Workplace bronze award and also the Physical Activity Certificate.
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About PKF Francis Clark
Chartered accountants and business advisers PKF Francis Clark has annual revenue of £38 million, a team of more than 580 people and 59 partners. Founded in 1919, the award-winning firm has eight offices across Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, Somerset and Wiltshire. PKF Francis Clark is a member of PKF UKI which is ranked 11th in the Accountancy Age 2016 survey of top accountancy firms.
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