At WTax, the driving force behind our success is not only our cutting-edge services but our exceptional people. Nicole Lieman, Head of People and Development, shares the story of WTax’s journey, its commitment to fostering a positive workplace, and how the company continues to attract and retain top talent.
This interview follows earlier spotlights on WTax’s key departments, including the Service, Tech, and Tax Technical teams. These articles delved into the operational strengths that underpin WTax’s success. Now, we explore how the company’s people-focused culture, guided by Nicole, plays an equally critical role in driving WTax’s growth and innovation.
Nicole Lieman, WTax's Head of People and Development
The WTax Story
Nicole begins by explaining how WTax emerged from a genuine client need within the VAT IT Group. “The origins of the WTax business arose through a meeting with an existing Group client aiming to find a solution to a tax reclaim frustration. WTax's pursual of withholding tax reclaims was initiated by listening and responding to the needs of our clients,” she says.
From this humble beginning, WTax has grown exponentially. “It started small and has grown in a very small amount of time,” Nicole adds. This growth reflects the company’s focus on consistently adding value to its clients by delivering exceptional service, innovative products, and professionalism.
Changes Since Inception
WTax’s evolution has brought about significant changes, but Nicole highlights the importance of retaining the original “family feel” that was present when the company was smaller. “The benefit of a small organisation is the ‘family feel’ where every individual feels connected to each other and to the entire management structure,” she says.
In the early days, team members wore many hats, taking on multiple roles across different areas of the business. This fostered a strong sense of initiative, teamwork, and visible performance, which was easy to recognise and reward. As WTax has grown, the business has naturally transitioned towards specialisation. “A change as a result of our rapid growth would be the specialisation into further specific technical and geographic areas,” Nicole explains.
Despite this growth, maintaining a strong sense of culture has been a key focus area for the People and Development team. “We’ve had to work hard to retain our valuable ‘family’ dynamic and to ensure our culture remains focused on the individuals as humans first.”
Fostering a Positive Work Environment
WTax places a strong emphasis on creating a work environment where employees feel valued and motivated. “Our key drive is to see our people happy at work, being challenged to innovate and to grow in a positive and safe space,” Nicole explains.
To achieve this, WTax has implemented several initiatives, including Leadership and Mentorship Programmes and a Wellness Initiative that focuses on emotional, financial, and physical health. Additionally, there are numerous smaller initiatives that encourage connection and collaboration across the company. “We are proud to focus on growth and development of our people, and in this regard, our Internal Growth Platform has been incredibly successful,” she adds.
Attracting and Retaining Top Talent
WTax’s approach to attracting and retaining talent revolves around a deep commitment to understanding each employee as an individual. “We aim to view them as humans and understand their needs individually—in order to understand how best we can grow, challenge, and retain them,” Nicole explains.
Offering competitive reward mechanisms, career advancement opportunities, and a positive work environment are just some of the ways WTax retains its top performers.
The Role of Culture in WTax’s Success
For Nicole, WTax’s culture is directly linked to its success. “Our philosophy here is simple—we believe our employees need to enjoy coming in to work in order for them to do their best work. When people feel valued and cared for, they bring their best selves into the office,” she says.
This connection between culture and success has been a cornerstone of WTax’s growth. By fostering a supportive, positive environment, WTax enables employees to perform at their best, driving the company forward.
What Makes WTax Special?
WTax stands out in the industry because of its people-focused approach. “We truly care about our people, clearly regard them as our most valuable asset, and invest significantly in ensuring we have the right people in our teams,” Nicole emphasises.
Innovation is also encouraged at every level. “Constant innovation of our strategies, our business, and our people structures allows us to target excellency in all we do,” Nicole adds.
Looking Ahead: The Future of WTax
As WTax continues to grow, Nicole is optimistic about the future. “We have brilliant, very talented people itching to take on more and do more,” she says. With the right people in place to support this growth, Nicole sees exciting times ahead for WTax over the next five years.
