Pitch Your Passion: Geometry UK Celebrates Side-Hustles

Geometry UK has launched ‘Pitch Your Passion’ – a celebration of Geometry people with inspirational side-hustles.

Explains Geometry HR Director, Elke van Tienen, “We looked for a modern way to celebrate and vigourously support the wonderful talents, interests, entrepreneurship and creativity across our diverse workforce - and “Pitch Your Passion” was created. 

It’s part of a series of initiatives reflecting our “People First” culture - we believe that if people can truly be who they are at work – collaboration, creativity and innovation will thrive.”

‘Pitch Your Passion’ is a quarterly contest inviting everyone to share their great passions beyond business. A recent agency sample uncovered employees with side businesses such as mobile game development, bridal underwear, photography, artisan bread baking, make-up artistry; and passions for competitive downhill biking, music production and sound design, perfumery, architecture, screen printing, and volunteering.

A short-list of three is chosen, with finalists making a personal pitch of their own special passion to Geometry's management panel. The winner is awarded £1000 to invest in their business or passion.

The first round of winners has been announced: Senior 3D Designer Chris Loydall, who overcame a serious spinal injury to resume his passion for competitive mountain biking.  Runners up include Senior Art Director, Sergey Dziniruk, who creates fragrances, and, Senior Designer Aaron Quince who wants to help build infrastructure in developing countries.

Elke van Tienen commented, “People at work today are largely entrepreneurial by instinct, comfortable with disruption and change – little of which sits comfortably with conventional office practice.

Offering flexible working hours, hot dogs and beer on Fridays, discounted gym subscriptions is not cutting it. We need new ways for people to express creativity – and we see side-hustles helping to attract and retain star talent as we actively help people to succeed.”

Over the past twelve months Geometry has launched a series of initiatives to attract, support and develop talent which includes outreach to schools, university workshops, Power Hours, speed coaching, Wellbeing and Mental Health projects and subject matter expert sessions for topical issues from Brexit to future financial planning.