We recently read a report claiming that thousands of tech workers across the UK were pre-emptively applying for new jobs in case of redundancies at their firm.

The research, conducted by CWJobs, surveyed 2,000 UK tech workers and revealed more than half (53%) felt their job was at risk.

This could be due to the high number of layoffs that have swept the tech sector at some large companies, including Microsoft, Meta, Amazon and Netflix.

In our experience, several businesses have approached us for system support after their previous vendors ceased trading. While the tech industry remains a fast-growing sector in the UK, many IT companies have faced financial hardship in recent years.

As saddening as this news is to hear about the tech market, we are proud to say that none of our staff members ever need to look over their shoulders.

Working at PSP: A Job For Life

There are currently 25 people employed by PSP (and we are hiring for 7 more). We have never been in a position where we couldn’t afford to pay staff wages. Our financial position is extremely secure: a combination of zero debt and a large order book means our operating and staff costs are covered for more than two years.

As a company, we want to give our staff everything they need from a mental and technical perspective to achieve their best work. That’s why our directors have worked hard to make sure that not only can we give staff a financially secure job, but also:

• Generous leave entitlements
• Access to training and courses to develop their skills
• Gifts for birthdays, Christmas, work anniversaries, Easter and other personal occasions
• Bonuses (based on company performance)
• The most modern and up-to-date equipment
• Fantastic office spaces
• Lunches
• Amazing staff events and parties

Overcoming 2008 Recession

Joe and Brett started PSP 15 years ago while a recession gloomed over the global economy and households across the world. They weathered the economic storm and came out the other side with the foundations of a fast-growing tech business which already had a large Chartered Institute among its clientele.

It was the determination and grit throughout this time that set the company on a path to strong financial stability. Within three years, we increased our footprint 3-fold when we purchased a brand-new office and subsequently bought the building next door. (Carver House now holds 25 employees consisting of developers, business analysts, software testers, project managers and quality managers)

At the start of the COVID pandemic, when businesses were concerned for their survival, the company paid off the mortgage on the buildings. This made us completely debt-free going into those uncertain times and we came out the other end in a financially stronger position.

This Means We Can Treat Our Staff...

Due to our strong financial position, we can focus on rewarding and treating our staff for their hard work. In 2022 alone, we spent over £36k on staff events, bonuses and gifts for birthdays, Christmas and work anniversaries. We celebrated our 14^th birthday as a company with a staff BBQ and a raffle with 55” TVs, £100 Amazon vouchers and a Dyson hoover among the incredible prizes (which knocked members of staff for six).

We pay for staff parties, awards nights and off-site event days, where we cover the bar tab and organise taxis and hotels.

In June 2022, we went all out at the Peterborough Dragon Boat Race – paying for a large private marquee and caterer. Later that year, 10 of us went to the South Holland Business Awards where we were nominated for Care in the Community and Innovation of the Year. We also saw staff moving house, having children and staff (sadly) leaving us- and we gave them something to show our appreciation.

Recently, Joe, Brett and Fiona announced some truly exciting plans about some special 2023 events they’ve been busy shaping as part of a staff raffle. They’ve organised horse racing with hospitality, concerts, comedy shows and there’s plenty more in the pipeline yet to be announced. Each member of staff will have the opportunity to go to at least one event. There will also be the annual Christmas and summer parties, as well as some awards night (hopefully!)

Our teams are pushed every day to deliver their best work- by us and by our clients. We don’t shy away from demanding quality, but we certainly don’t shy away from rewarding it.

We have a culture at PSP where everyone works hard for each other, and we reap the rewards after.

And Give to Charity...

This has put us in a position to truly make a difference to other people in the community.

We don’t give to charities for any recognition or to make ourselves look better. We simply do it because we want to support causes that are close to our hearts and that we don’t always feel get the awareness they deserve.

We make monthly contributions to charities such as Brain Tumour Charity, Dementia UK and Marie Curie.

In total, we now sponsor five children’s homes in Lincolnshire with a total of 24 children (increasing to 28 in April 2023).

Each year, we treat them to something special for:

• Birthdays
• Easter
• Halloween
• Christmas

On top of that, each child gets a summer day out or experience of their choice. In the past, we’ve treated some of them to:

• Football Stadium Tours
• Alton Towers
• Eden Camp
• Theatre Shows
• Go Ape
• York Dungeon
• Go Karting
• Spa Day

PSP: Going From Strength to Strength

While the economic uncertainty may come as a concern for some, for us at PSP it’s very much business as usual. Like every company, we must closely monitor our spending in reaction to the spiralling cost of operating, however, our strong order book places us in good stead to remain as one of the UK’s largest independent development houses and continue making a difference to our clients, staff and the local community.

Having just signed some large contracts to provide digital transformation and 3^rd party software testing to two awarding bodies, we are hiring for several other positions to expand our business even further and looking forward to seeing what 2023 has in store.

Click here to find out more about joining the PSP family: www.psp-it.co.uk/careers