Case Study

Preserving Tradition While Building a Legacy to Last for Ellis Wines

The Challenge:

Ellis Wines, a third-generation family-run business, has experienced significant growth and expansion over the past few years, solidifying its reputation in the industry. In an era where blending tradition with embracing change is crucial, to support its growing team, Ellis partnered with HappyHQ to build people-first culture foundations that deeply resonate with every member.

In our client's own words:

“Ellis Wines is a family-owned wine merchant and has been operating for over 200 years. Whilst we’re incredibly proud of what we have grown into and achieved over all the years, we also recognise that things change, and we need to be open to that and ready to grow with our employees and ensure we are the best workplace for them. Part of this was looking into our company culture and some of our processes, including a set of brand-new core values… and along came HappyHQ!"

Ensuring current principles are not just upheld in Ellis’ day-to-day operations but are also part of its vision for the future.

The Work (so far):

Culture Consultancy (bi-monthly WIP meetings)
All-team values discovery + workshop + values delivery
Team insights and key themes development
Values launch and embedding roadmap
Leadership training sessions (Communication + Feedback/Setting Goals)
OKR + appraisals rollout
And more.... we're still in partnership and making an impact!

Holly Ellis
People and Culture, Ellis Wines

“Janine and Louisa are an incredible duo, they complement each other perfectly with a real amount of expertise in culture, project management and strong communication, as well as advice on how to embed these into our working practices and the future. In a short amount of time, we have created our new core values, launched to all employees, and embedded the new performance management process. It has definitely created a strong buzz and lifted spirits within the company, knowing that we have listened, and we are making positive changes based on their feedback.

We would absolutely recommend the HappyHQ team, they’ve been instrumental in implementing and guiding us through the process of a better culture and people practices ensuring our employees love working at Ellis Wines, want to stay and to know we are attracting the best and most suitable people to join us for the future.”

Ellis Wines’ Core Values:

Ellis Wines isn’t just a wine purveyor; we’re the caretakers of a two-century-old legacy that has been honed by experience and knowledge. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of excellence, providing impeccable service, and continuously learning and developing. Our reputation is a testament to our relentless pursuit of quality. We believe in sharing our knowledge, in an environment where everyone learns, grows, and contributes to upholding our reputation as a trusted wine merchant.

Pride and Passion

Our logo is more than just a symbol; it’s a testament to our commitment and the dedication that each member of our team brings. It reflects not only our love for what we do but also our collective pride in every facet of our work. This sentiment isn’t confined to our business; it permeates every interaction we have, from vineyards we collaborate with, to winemakers we support, and all wine enthusiasts who trust our selections.

Partners to Rely On

In the face of today’s fast-paced business environment, our enduring partnerships stand as a testament to an unwavering work ethic that has stood the test of time. Timeless principles such as reliability, strong work ethic, professionalism, and trust are the cornerstones of Ellis Wines, making us a dependable partner in the world of wine.

Extended Family

Unity and togetherness are at the heart of our ethos. As a third-generation family-owned business, we have an open-door atmosphere where everyone feels valued and heard. Through mutual respect and inclusivity, we create lasting relationships and a less corporate, more familial feel.

Evolving Legacy

We are not just preserving a heritage; we also embrace change. Adapting to the future, we improve operations, stay current with trends, refine services based on feedback, and commit to sustainability. Our respect for the past guides us, but we’re not just preserving a heritage; we’re shaping an evolving, sustainable legacy.