Built on Trust
Being recognised as a Great Place to Work means much more to us than having a badge on the wall.
At James Whelan Butchers, a great workplace is built on trust. Trust between colleagues. Trust in the people you work alongside. Trust that you will be listened to, treated fairly and given the opportunity to do your best work.
It is something that is created over time, through how we work together every day.
In 2025, our colleagues took part in the Great Place to Work survey for the first time. Their feedback gave us the opportunity to look honestly at what it feels like to work across James Whelan Butchers, from our shops and production teams to our warehouse and Head Office.
That feedback led to our Great Place to Work certification in 2025.
Listening, Learning and Building
For us, certification was never the end of the process.
Over the following year, we continued to listen to our people and build on what they told us. We looked at where we were doing well, where we could improve and how we could create an even stronger workplace for everyone.
That means encouraging open conversations, recognising great work, investing in learning and development and making sure people feel part of something bigger than their individual role.
It is about Meitheal. People bringing their knowledge, experience and strengths together and supporting one another.
Great Place to Work 2026
In 2026, our colleagues were invited once again to share their experience through the Great Place to Work survey.
The survey is confidential, giving everyone the opportunity to speak openly about their experience of working here.
For us, that trust matters enormously.
A trusted workplace is one where people feel comfortable speaking up, asking questions, sharing ideas and knowing that their contribution matters.
Our 2026 recognition reflects the part played by every colleague across James Whelan Butchers in creating that environment.
What Great Place to Work Means to Us
Great Place to Work is not about saying everything is perfect.
It is about creating a workplace where people trust the people around them, take pride in what they do and feel part of a team.
It means listening when something can be better.
It means recognising the knowledge and contribution of our people.
It means giving people opportunities to learn, develop and progress.
And above all, it means understanding that culture is not created by a statement on a wall. It is created by people, through thousands of everyday interactions.
We are proud of what our teams helped us achieve in 2025 and again in 2026.
And we will continue to listen, learn and build from here.