The Catalyst IT Europe approach to autonomy and balance

Catalyst IT Europe’s people-first culture shows that wellbeing and high performance go hand in hand. With a 96% engagement score, 100% participation and 95% of employees saying they can balance work and home life, Catalyst’s approach proves that trust and listening are the foundation of success. Working with People Insight, the organisation has turned feedback into action and earned recognition with People Insight’s Outstanding Workplace award.

Catalyst IT Europe is a leading open-source technology company specialising in learning management systems, software development and digital transformation. With teams based across the UK and Europe, and sister companies in Australia, Canada and New Zealand, Catalyst supports clients in higher education, government and the private sector.

As a people-focused organisation, Catalyst believes its strength lies in the autonomy, creativity and balance of its employees. This philosophy underpins its approach to client delivery and team culture alike, building an environment where everyone is trusted to contribute, collaborate and grow.

That autonomy reflects more than a management style. It mirrors Catalyst’s open-source philosophy. Just as open-source projects thrive on transparency, collaboration and shared ownership, Catalyst’s teams are empowered to contribute ideas, make improvements and innovate freely. It’s the same “freedom to innovate” that defines how Catalyst supports its clients

Catalyst IT Europe’s results speak volumes. A 96% engagement rate and full participation reflect not only an exceptional culture but also the company’s commitment to listening and acting on employee feedback. That’s why Catalyst earned recognition as one of People Insight’s Outstanding Workplaces; an accolade celebrating organisations that create meaningful change through employee listening.

Catalyst’s partnership with People Insight began with a shared belief that data only drives impact when it leads to action. Through actionable employee surveys, expert consultancy and transparent dashboards, Catalyst gained clear insight into what matters most to employees and turned that understanding into tangible improvements in wellbeing, autonomy and balance.

Catalyst has built balance into the way it works. Not as an extra, but as a standard. With People Insight’s support, survey data has helped leaders understand exactly how employees experience balance and where further flexibility can make a difference.

Employees are actively encouraged to put home life first, trusting that balance creates the best conditions for creativity and delivery. 

That belief is backed by comprehensive benefits that protect wellbeing in every sense. From medical and dental cover to online GP access, menopause support, flexible working, life and income protection, and enhanced parental pay, employees have access to resources that genuinely support life outside work.

Catalyst’s approach to autonomy is simple: give people the confidence, information and support to deliver. Then trust them to do it.

Working with People Insight, the organisation identified autonomy as one of its strongest drivers of engagement. With a 92% autonomy score (21 percentage points above the sector benchmark), Catalyst’s people have freedom to make decisions, backed by confidence in their leaders and peers.

Teams are empowered to liaise directly with clients on smaller projects, guided by clear quoting frameworks and budgets. Project Managers oversee timeframes, but individuals retain ownership of day-to-day decisions and know when to seek guidance. 

Open communication and structured documentation create alignment without unnecessary oversight.

Regular knowledge-sharing sessions and retrospectives capture learnings, strengthening both autonomy and collaboration; qualities identified as key engagement strengths in the survey analysis.

Catalyst’s survey data also revealed high favourability around workload management, with 90% of employees saying they can comfortably cope with their workload. This is a remarkable 22 points above the benchmark. 

That result reflects both strong systems and a culture of open communication. Daily stand-ups, monthly check-ins, annual appraisals and informal catchups give employees regular opportunities to discuss priorities, progress and capacity. Managers use the survey findings to spot potential workload pressures early and open conversations to rebalance work where needed.

Catalyst’s people work across the UK, Europe and beyond, so clear, consistent communication is vital. The company uses regular video meetings, chat tools and detailed documentation to keep everyone connected, supported by survey insights that highlight what’s working well and where communication can improve.

People Insight’s expertise in employee sentiment analysis has helped Catalyst understand the nuances of remote collaboration across time zones. The result is a culture that’s transparent, inclusive and closely connected, even when people are thousands of miles apart.

Catalyst’s leadership team treats every survey as a commitment to act. Since the initial survey with People Insight, work-life balance and workload scores have both improved, thanks to expanded flexibility, improved team communication and evolving benefits.

People Insight’s follow-up analysis helped Catalyst identify and prioritise the actions that would have the greatest impact. By tracking improvements year on year, the organisation has maintained momentum and ensured that employee voice continues to shape decisions at every level.

Catalyst’s commitment to openness is evident in its transparency scores. 93% of employees say they understand how the company is performing. This is an amazing 18-point improvement on the sector benchmark.

Through quarterly briefings, onboarding sessions and strategic updates, employees see how their work links directly to organisational goals. People Insight’s analytics tools support this by providing clear data visualisations that leaders can share across teams, ensuring progress is visible and shared success is celebrated.

Catalyst continues to invest in its people and culture. Plans include expanding training and development programmes, enhancing benefits and strengthening sustainability commitments, all informed by ongoing survey insights.

The company’s approach demonstrates that autonomy and balance don’t just drive engagement; they sustain long-term success. As a People Insight Outstanding Workplace, Catalyst stands out as an example of what happens when feedback is heard, trusted and acted upon.

Catalyst IT Europe’s story shows that trust, balance and listening create workplaces where people genuinely want to contribute.

Partner with People Insight to design actionable surveys, uncover meaningful insights and create a culture where engagement becomes a shared achievement. Start your survey today.