NorthEdge has become one of the first private equity firms to sign the Mindful Employer charter, further establishing the business’ commitment to supporting its people’s mental health and wellbeing.
Mindful Employer is a UK wide initiative run by Devon Partnership NHS Trust. It provides employers with easier access to professional Workplace Mental Health training, information and support, and aims to empower employers to take a lead in supporting the mental wellbeing of their staff.
To sign the charter, organisations agree to abiding by the Mindful Employer’s core values, which include providing non-judgmental and proactive support to staff experiencing mental ill-health, supporting line managers in managing mental health in the workplace and being positive and enabling toward all employees and applicants with a mental health condition.
It’s estimated that one in four people suffer from some form of mental health issue. Meanwhile the challenges of the pandemic have seen the number of people experiencing mental health symptoms in the workplace rise to 41 per cent.
NorthEdge, as responsible private equity investors, have an important role to play in ensuring best practice is prioritised and shared when it comes to culture, health and wellbeing, therefore they have increasingly invested in the mental wellbeing of people in both their own business and within their portfolio.
The business has dedicated mental health first aiders and actively encourages its portfolio businesses to have the same provision. NorthEdge also provides its portfolio management teams with access to resources and operating partners to help them continue to build inclusive cultures within their organisations.
Prem Mohan Raj, Chief Operating Officer at NorthEdge, says: “Collectively across our portfolio, we have almost 7,000 employees. That means we have a hugely important role to play in making sure NorthEdge and the businesses we back foster healthy, supportive and motivational environments for our people.
“The Mindful Employer charter gives us access to training and useful resources, which will be hugely beneficial for us and the management teams we support. By signing the charter for ‘Employers Positive About Mental Health’ NorthEdge have made a public statement of our desire to continue to support the mental health of our people across the organisation.”
In June, NorthEdge-backed Correla also became signatories of the Mindful Employer charter.
