The one-to-one sessions on offer from Sanctus Coaching are designed to support staff across personal and professional challenges and, since being introduced a month ago, have generated a uniformly maximum rating in anonymised feedback.

Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline, said: “We’ve been enhancing the kind of support we offer to employees over the last year, partially as a result of the pressures generated by the pandemic, including the creation of our training initiative, Startline Academy, and the availability of the Calm app, designed to reduce stress and anxiety.

“Working with Sanctus is designed to add a further and important dimension. Their mission is to shift outdated narratives around mental health in the workplace and make proactive support more readily available at work. This seems to us something that is really very much in tune with the demands of the current moment.

“The initial response we’ve had from staff have been very good, showing that the sessions have helped people overcome challenges and helped them to feel more empowered, which is positive for them on a personal level and for Startline as a business.”

Sanctus was founded in 2016 and works with employers including Red Bull, JustEat and the Boston Consulting Group. The company employs only fully qualified, accredited and professional coaches with a minimum of 350 hours of experience.

Chris Slater, CEO at Sanctus, said: “Whether it’s a personal or professional challenge, a problem or a goal, Sanctus Coaching provides employees with one-to-one support in a safe and confidential space. Our coaches adjust their style to meet people where they are at – whether it’s a more therapeutic, nurturing approach, or a more goal-oriented, coaching approach.

“We are delighted to be partnering with Startline and to see them prioritise employee wellbeing alongside rapid business growth as they continue to build a destination for talent in the car finance space.”

Launched in June, the Startline Academy is designed to maintain an engaged, resilient and well trained workforce capable of delivering great outcomes for motor finance customers, introducers such as dealers, and the wider community.

Meanwhile, the Calm app – made available to employees in July - is used by more than 1,000 businesses across the world and is designed to encourage employee wellbeing by promoting better sleep, reducing stress and anxiety, and developing greater mindfulness.

Paul said: “With this range of resources – the Academy, Sanctus and Calm – we believe that we are in a good position to help employees maximise their work and home ambitions by providing everything from training in hard skills to emotional support.”