Bringing the Team Together: Our May Team Away Day at Cliveden House

That’s why we make a point of holding Team Away Days at least three times a year, providing dedicated time for the entire team to step away from their day-to-day responsibilities, come together outside of the office environment, and focus on the bigger picture.

For our latest Away Day in May, we were fortunate enough to spend the day at the stunning Cliveden House, one of the UK’s most iconic luxury hotels. Set within breathtaking Berkshire countryside, the venue provided the perfect backdrop for a day of collaboration, reflection and planning.

We reflected
The day began with a company update session, designed to ensure everyone had a clear understanding of Hippo’s journey, where we have come from, and where we are heading as a business.

As our team continues to grow, it is important that everyone understands not only what we do, but why we do it. We revisited the history of Hippo, reflected on the milestones we have achieved together, and shared updates on the company’s current position and future ambitions.

We also spent time discussing our Company Values and ethos, reinforcing the principles that underpin everything we do. Whether working with clients, suppliers or colleagues, our values remain at the heart of our business and play a key role in shaping the culture we continue to build.

An Exceptional Lunch at The Astor Grill
No Hippo Away Day would be complete without great food, and Cliveden certainly didn’t disappoint.

Lunch was enjoyed in the hotel’s renowned Astor Grill, which delivered an exceptional dining experience from start to finish. The atmosphere perfectly balances elegance with comfort, while the food and service were both outstanding. It provided a fantastic opportunity for the team to relax, catch up and enjoy some informal time together before the afternoon sessions began.

We looked at our Culture, Operations and Continuous Improvement
The afternoon focused on something that is hugely important to us: Continuous improvement.

As a business, we are always looking for ways to improve the experience we deliver to our clients, whilst also making Hippo an even better place to work. To facilitate these discussions, we use a simple framework internally:

• Keep – What are we doing really well that we should continue doing?
• Improve – What areas can we strengthen, refine or build upon?
• Explore – What new ideas, processes or innovations should we consider introducing?

This approach encourages honest, constructive conversations and ensures every team member has a voice in shaping the future of the business.

Together, we reviewed various aspects of our culture, operations and ways of working, identifying opportunities to become even more efficient, collaborative and client focused. These sessions are always incredibly valuable, not only because of the ideas generated, but because they encourage collective ownership of the business and its future direction.

Site Visit of Cliveden House
The day concluded with a comprehensive site visit of Cliveden House itself.

Steeped in history and set within 376 acres of National Trust grounds, Cliveden House is one of those venues that immediately leaves a lasting impression. The property seamlessly combines timeless elegance with modern luxury, offering a unique experience for both leisure guests and corporate groups.

For meetings and events, the venue provides an excellent selection of private dining rooms, meeting spaces and exclusive-use opportunities, all supported by exceptional service. The beautifully maintained gardens, riverside setting and impressive public spaces create a real sense of occasion, making it particularly well suited to executive retreats, leadership meetings, incentive events and VIP gatherings.

It was easy to see why Cliveden House remains one of the UK’s most sought-after luxury destinations.

Away Days like this are about much more than presentations and workshops. They provide valuable time for the team to connect, share ideas, challenge thinking and strengthen relationships away from the pressures of everyday work.

By the end of the day, we left feeling aligned, energised and even more connected as a team. The conversations, ideas and feedback generated will help shape how we continue to evolve and improve as a business over the months ahead.

A huge thank you to the team at Cliveden House for hosting us and providing such exceptional hospitality throughout the day. The venue, food, service and overall experience were outstanding, helping to make the day both productive and memorable.

We’re already looking forward to the next Hippo Team Away Day.