One of our most valued benefits allows colleagues to work from anywhere in the world for up to four weeks each year. It’s a reflection of the trust, flexibility and outcome-focused culture we’ve built across the business.
We sat down with Devon Vesty, our Head of HR, about his own experience of using the benefit, what it meant to him personally, and what it says about Finova’s approach to supporting its people.
1. Where did you choose to work from, and what made you decide to use the work from anywhere benefit yourself?
I’m very fortunate that Finova allows me to work from South Africa once a year. It gives me the opportunity to extend the festive period and spend meaningful time with family and friends that I often only see once a year. Being able to combine annual leave with a period of working abroad makes a real difference, especially given the distance from London.
2. As Head of HR, you were involved in shaping this benefit — what did it feel like experiencing it first-hand?
I can’t take credit for introducing this fantastic benefit — it was something Finova offered long before I joined. But having experienced it myself, I can genuinely see the impact it has. The level of uptake and the reasons people choose to use it speak volumes. It’s one of those benefits that sounds great on paper, but when you see how much it means to individuals, you understand why it’s so valuable to keep investing in it.
3. Did anything about the experience surprise you — either personally or professionally?
Flexibility is something I’ve always valued, so the personal impact wasn’t a surprise — it was hugely appreciated. What stood out was just how manageable it was in practice. With the right planning and communication, it genuinely felt like an extension of my normal working routine, just in a different environment. That reinforced how embedded flexible working really is within our culture.
4. How did you stay connected with your team and leadership responsibilities while working abroad?
We’re well set up for virtual collaboration. Tools like Teams, shared workspaces and clear planning processes make it easy to stay fully connected. From a leadership perspective, it’s about setting expectations early, maintaining regular check-ins and proactively communicating expectations. With that structure in place, there’s no compromise on delivery.
5. From an HR perspective, what did using the benefit yourself reinforce about Finova’s culture?
It reinforced the trust-based culture we have at Finova. We focus on outcomes rather than presenteeism. People are empowered to manage their responsibilities in a way that works for them, while still delivering high standards. That balance of trust and accountability is something we’re very proud of.
6. Has your own experience influenced how you talk about this benefit to candidates?
Absolutely. It’s one thing to describe a benefit, it’s another to speak about it from personal experience. I’m very open with candidates about how I’ve used it and the difference it’s made. It helps bring the policy to life and demonstrates that this flexibility genuinely exists at all levels of the organisation.
7. What impact do you think flexibility like this has on performance, wellbeing and retention?
Flexibility like this makes a real difference. When people feel trusted to manage their work in a way that fits their lives, engagement increases. It supports wellbeing by allowing people to prioritise family, travel or personal commitments without stepping away from their career. In turn, that strengthens loyalty and retention. It’s a clear example of how supporting people holistically benefits both the individual and the business. We really mean it when we say our hybrid working model is here to stay.
8. Would you recommend this benefit to someone considering joining Finova? Why?
Absolutely, I would recommend this benefit in a heartbeat. This benefit reflects the kind of employer Finova is. One that values its people and understands that life doesn’t stop outside of work. It demonstrates trust, flexibility and maturity as an organisation. For anyone considering joining, it’s a tangible example of how we support our people not just professionally, but personally as well.
Our Work From Anywhere benefit isn’t just about travel — it’s about trust. It’s about giving people the flexibility to manage their careers alongside the things that matter most to them, without compromising on performance or ambition.
If you’re looking for a workplace that values outcomes over presenteeism and supports you both professionally and personally, we’d love to hear from you.
Explore our current opportunities on our careers page and discover what life at Finova could look like for you: www.finova.tech/careers
