We followed the White Rabbit, and it led us somewhere wonderful

After weeks of cryptic Alice in Wonderland clues (and red herrings that sent a few people the wrong way), the Create Family’s mystery strategy weekend finally arrived.

Here’s what happened when the rabbit hole opened. We started off guiding the staff to the Knockin shop where they retrieved an envelope for their clue of where the venue was. 

The final destination was beautiful Bryn Tanat Hall.

Saturday was serious stuff:

→ Where the market is heading and what the future holds

→ New products and services we’re excited about

→ AI: how we use it well, safely and in ways that help people

→ What our clients really need from us

→ How the FCA’s ways of working and communications are changing

Heads and hearts suitably full. Then things got competitive.

First, Create Solutions took on our own version of Ready Steady Cook in the grand kitchens. Dressed in Aprons and Chefs hats the teams were handed a box of ingredients and access to a pantry – they had to call in their culinary expertise. Some people brought red tomato energy, others brought green pepper panic. The judge Chris is still recovering. It was hilarious and all teams produced some delicious dishes. 

Looking back at the photos it must have been thirsty work as plenty of glasses of refreshments were dotted around the kitchen. Even AI made an appearance in one team. They entered the ingredients and asked it to come up with a menu and instructions!

Then came The Mole: a few hours of more Teamwork – puzzles and challenges across 15 acres of beautiful grounds. It felt like we had stepped into a Traitors style game at stages…….There was sabotage, misdirection and some very suspicious alliances. Teams did everything they could to stop each other winning. Nobody has been formally accused, but trust is slowly being rebuilt.

In addition, there was time to relax (although our staff and consultants may disagree and say they are still exhausted as a result). 

Now the serious bit (yes, there is one).

Stepping away from the day job isn’t a luxury for us.

It’s how we:

Think more creatively

Stay up to date in a fast-changing regulatory world

Share experiences and learn from each other

Discuss fundraising ideas

Come back with fresh energy and better ideas for our clients

We take our work seriously. That’s exactly why we make time to step back, laugh together and look ahead.

Thank you to the whole Create Family for two brilliant days and plenty of memories.