At RLB, our values, Truth, Trust, Together and Tomorrow, are not just words, they are the principles that influence every decision we make, guiding our choices and the way we support each other.
As a global business, International Men’s Day is a great opportunity for us to reflect on our values and how they are woven into the fabric of our work across the 36 countries we operate in.
In the spirit of this year’s theme, “Supporting Men and Boys”, we want all our male colleagues, who are part of the 4,500 RLB employees around the world, to know it’s okay to speak up, ask for help and not have all the answers.
Truth: Supporting Men’s Health and Wellbeing
One way we put “Truth” into action is our commitment to men’s mental and physical health. Our Oceania teams are a great example of this, with a strong focus on wellbeing and open conversation. Every year, we get behind Men’s Health Week in June by promoting education, sharing resources, and encouraging men to prioritise check-ups and wellbeing appointments. We offer free webinars on topics like prostate cancer awareness, stroke prevention, mental health, and how to support a colleague or friend who may be struggling. Movember and Moovember are more chances to get involved. Colleagues grow moustaches, walk or run 60 km, or take on other physical challenges to raise awareness around men’s cancers, suicide prevention and men’s mental health. For everyone who completes a challenge, RLB makes a charitable donation reinforcing our commitment to supporting our people and our communities.
For Jaundre Stiglingh in our Pretoria office Movember is about more than just raising awareness, it’s also a special father-and-son tradition. His dad encouraged him to take part as soon as he could grow a moustache, and it’s been a shared annual ritual ever since.
Lewis Matheson, based in our Dubia office, first encountered Movember while playing rugby in New Zealand in 2019 when a host family introduced him to the cause. It has become an event that he takes part in every year and, what began as a light-hearted tradition, soon resonated deeply with him. Lewis recognised how such a simple gesture can spark important conversations about men’s health and remind people that they are not alone. Sometimes he grows his tache for charity and other times its simply as a visible show of solidarity. For Lewis, what it is every year, is a reflection of the power of coming together to support those who may be struggling quietly. It symbolises how small acts can help drive awareness, openness, and connection across communities worldwide.
Colleagues from around the world participating in Movember. Left: Justin and Hayden from RLB in Oceania, middle: Jaundre from RLB in South Africa, right: Lewis from RLB in the Middle East.
Our commitment to wellbeing goes beyond awareness days, weeks and months. In the UK, we have the RLB North Men’s Mental Health Community that aims to break the stigma around talking about emotions, stresses and feeling under pressure, as well as building a culture where looking out for one another is second nature.
All of our offices display materials that help keep the conversation going throughout the year and point people towards the support available through our Employee Assistance Program. RLB employees have access to confidential, external support at any time, which includes counselling, wellbeing coaching, and guidance for managers navigating people-related challenges.
Trust: Building Genuine Connections
Trust is built through genuine connection, and we work hard to create opportunities for that. We focus on long standing relationships. This doesn’t just extend to partnerships between RLB and our clients, but internally as well.
One way we do this is by taking part in the Surveyors Sevens Rugby tournament. Not only does this help to raise funds for charity, but it is also an opportunity for colleagues from across the UK to come together and strengthen relationships outside an office.
Our London office also hosts an annual over-30s vs under-30s football match. Getting on the pitch together removes hierarchy and helps everyone get to know each other beyond the day-to-day pressures of work.
This idea is summed up perfectly by UK & Europe Chief Executive and Global Board Director Andrew Reynolds who said:
“When we take the time to connect beyond work itself, trust naturally follows. Trust is built in the moments where we show up for each other. It’s those shared experiences that make us stronger as a team.”
Left: colleagues from the UK and Europe taking part in the annual Surveyors Seven’s Rugby Tournament, right: RLB in London’s annual Over 30s v Under 30s Football Tournament.
Together: Communities That Support Everyone
For RLB employees, working together means more than collaborating on projects. Our internal communities help to make sure everyone feels seen, heard and supported. These including:
- Diversity, Equality & Inclusion, with groups like the Armed Forces community supporting service leavers as they transition into RLB.
- Wellbeing, which promotes a healthier, happier workplace through things like self-care week.
- Corporate Social Responsibility, helping us engage with communities and contribute to a better built environment.
Being part of a community helps us build stronger connections with one another and that changes how we show up for each other and for our clients.
Top left: RLB in Amsterdam during their ‘BloKarting’ summer social, top middle: colleagues from our Sheffield and Leeds team gave back to the community by volunteering at the Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity, top right: RLB in Madrid enjoyed a wellbeing social of yoga and sound healing, bottom: a colleague from our Sheffield team lays a wreath at a local memorial on Remembrance Day.
Tomorrow: Looking Ahead
We’re proud of the steps we’ve taken to make our values part of everyday life, but we know there’s always more we can do.
That’s why we’re excited to announce the launch of the RLB Men’s Community in the UK at the beginning of December. This will give male colleagues a chance to connect, talk, and support each other. We want everyone at RLB to know it’s okay to speak up, ask for help, and not have everything figured out.
By investing in this community now, we’re laying the groundwork for positive change in the future. Creating a culture where no one has to go it alone, and where wellbeing, purpose and connection are part of everyday life.
Days like International Men’s Day remind us of why our values matter and the importance of keeping the conversation going. When we embrace our values, we ensure that RLB truly is a place where people make progress.
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