Getting this right and investing in our people would ensure our offer aligns with the University’s ambitions for the future.

The platform needed to be:

• An improvement on our existing discount platform
• Bespoke and customisable – build a brand within the new platform, something that signified the new focus and investment from the University on staff Reward and Recognition
• Inclusive for all, reducing barriers and bringing our broad range of benefits to life by having an accessible tone and feel
• Scalable – so that benefits offering can grow
• Expanded to include recognition, by use of bespoke ecards that can be personalised and sent to individual/multiple colleagues

Reward Gateway was selected as the provider for the new platform as they demonstrated the ability and desire to meet our objectives in a forward thinking, modern way. Their technology seamlessly integrated with our IT system, providing automatic login, increasing accessibility.

The team created a new Reward brand “Purple Place”. The design is in keeping with the University but with a distinct look and feel that sets it apart and underpins it being our central home for Reward.

Initially, the platform was planned to launch on the 21 November 2024 with a welcome email to all eligible employees. Due to circumstances beyond the team’s control, this had to be pulled a couple of days before launch. In hindsight, sending a blanket email to all staff was a one-dimensional approach. Now that this wasn’t an option, we had to pivot to a more dynamic, long-term drumbeat launch – turning a setback into a positive opportunity.

After the first round of communications via our staff channels, the team created multi-phased communications strategy:

• Regular targeted local communications to users who hadn’t yet activated accounts
• Utilising platforms including Viva Engage, Instagram and local Teams chats to promote selected initiatives
• Employee Recognition Day – gaining Senior Leadership buy-in to promote the ecard system, it’s ease of use and the value of taking time to celebrate colleagues
• Engagement with stakeholders
• Giving talks at welcome events and away days
• Demonstrate the platform to Senior Leadership
• • Wellbeing Team – staff webinar “Pocket Savvy Power Hour”
  • EDI – contacting the various staff networks
  • Regular Giving, promoting Payroll Giving month
  • Endorsement in the President’s message

• Launching the much-anticipated new Electric Vehicle scheme, a clear sign to staff that the University is invested in growing benefits and is committed to sustainability.

As at the end of July 2025, our stats since launch show:

Employee discount savings:

• Over £66,000 in employee savings through the Discounts Hub.
• Staff have spent £1 million and are on track to save more in the first year on Purple Place than saved in the 3.5 years with previous provider

Growing appreciation:

• 2,950 cards sent.
• The success of our Employee Appreciation Day shows appetite for peer to peer recognition and gives a great base for future plans in this space.

SmartTech

• £102,000 spent (+29% orders from previous provider).
• The introduction of a wider range of repayments terms has led to increased orders

Cycle to work

• £19,500 employer savings, £45,100 in employee savings
• Despite industry slow down, increases are seen in comparison to previous provider.

Electric Vehicle Scheme

• Launched in April 2025 through Purple Place
• £94,8000 staff savings, £40,900 uni savings.

Activations

• 8,220 (+363% from previous provider)
• Embraced and surpassed previous provider. Increased awareness has embedded the site into culture

Future Plans

• Enablement of monitory rewards
• For the platform to become self funding through the salary scheme savings
• Gather a range of survey data for feedback and continuous improvement
• Host our Rewarding Exceptional Performance scheme on Purple Place
• Developing the benefits offered, undertaken more horizon scanning and research, ensuring the platform and benefits continue to evolve and we don’t stand still
• Push the SmartSpending app
• Focus on engagement with none device facing staff

Prior to launch of Purple Place we worked with Paul Marks-Jones in EDI to undertake an Equality Impact Assessment, ensuring that we aligned with the EDI strategy and inclusion principles – this is a platform that’s designed for the benefit of all staff and it was important that any barriers of use were identified, talked through and resolved.

Julie Butterworth, Compliance, Safety and Estates Assistant
“One dire December, my cooker, fridge freezer and washing machine all decided to stop working at once. I was able to purchase 3 new white goods and pay for them over a 12-month period which was such a great help, and the deductions came straight from my salary, so I didn’t even miss it really.”

Paul Marks-Jones, Lead Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Partner

• “I really enjoy the ways we can access the platform – it’s easy to search and well laid out
• The variety of options is impressive – not just for discounts, but for other ways to recognise people and look at options that you may not be aware of
• I like how we can see which ecards have been sent because it’s good to see others being recognised
• My favourite discount is the reloadable gift cards – they are instant and wide ranging in their use
• I have used cashback, reloadable cards, thank you cards and other areas of the platform and enjoy telling people about them.  I have benefitted personally but also benefitted from helping others.
• It’s also good that you can have it on your phone and don’t need to be at your laptop to use

Overall, it’s brilliant and love that we have it.  Well done team – keep up the good work!”

Alistair Stevenson, Enterprise Architect
“I am an occasional user of instant retail vouchers on Purple Place, but my main feedback would be in the Cycle2Work scheme that I used for a new bike following a crash cycling in to work."

 The workflow is good for a Cycle-2-Work new bike purchase with plenty of safety related accessories like panniers, helmet and lights. Helpful articles on the site made it easy to understand how the process would work, and the team sorted necessary approvals very swiftly.”

María Morales Bazán, Placements and International Programmes Administrator

“I have been using Purple Place regularly to purchase gift cards, and I have had a great experience so far. There is a wide selection of retailers available on the platform. The payment process is smooth and quick, especially now that they have added Apple Pay. It is also possible to see how much money I have saved using the platform, which is a nice feature. Overall, I am very happy with Purple Place, and I will definitely continue to use it in the future.”

Despite the slight hiccup with the initial launch, Purple Place has surpassed the level of engagement that was seen with the previous benefits provider. Towards the end of January 2025, the organic growth in activations had plateaued and prompted the next stages of the launch.

Statistics that underpin its success:

• Activations: 8,220, +363% from our previous platform
• Employees have spent over £1 million via the discounts platform!
• Employees have saved:
  • £66,000 – discount offers
  • £45,100 – Cycle to Work
  • £95,000 – EV scheme
• The University has saved £61,000 via the salary sacrifice schemes
• Year on year increases in SmartTech (+29%) and Cycle (+24%) orders
• 2,950 ecards sent
• Received a Payroll Giving Gold Award for the increase in donations

There has also been a culture shift. Whilst this is not quantifiable in the statistics, it has been evident through the feedback from staff and the support from the Leadership team. One example of this is Leadership shift in mindset. A growing number of Leadership now set aside dedicated time each week to send recognition via the platform. This is a visible endorsement, helping to foster a new culture of appreciation.

The team is keen to track larger metrics and are utilising results from our annual Colleague Engagement Survey in the benchmarking for employee satisfaction. Going forward, the team are confident that Purple Place will be a powerful tool for retaining and attracting talent.

Purple Place is the biggest investment the University of Manchester has made into staff Reward, Benefits and Recognition and it is having a tangible impact on staff. The team realise that, whilst the 6 months since launch have been hugely successful, this only marks the start. The platform launch will be used as a stepping stone for even greater achievements to enable the University to be a sector leader, creating a culture where all employees feel valued and appreciated.

To access Purple Place, please see here: www.purpleplace.co.uk 

To send an e-card of recognition to a colleague, see here: Send Recognition | Purple Place

For further information please contact:

• David Eaton, Reward Analysis, Reward Team, People Directorate.