Wooden boats moored beside a jetty on a calm lake
Colleagues in orange bibs paddling together on dry land during a team challenge
Two people playing giant Connect Four on a terrace
Colleagues taking part in a hands-on workshop activity
Marquee lit up at dusk on a lawn at an away day
Teams paddling a raft on a lake during a team challenge

CASE STUDY

A retreat that brings the whole team together

170 colleagues. One annual thank you.

Bringing colleagues together, their way

Annual country retreat

Kearney London Office | Global consulting firm

At a glance

New venue and activities each year
Shared challenges and individual choice
170 colleagues every year
Working with Kearney since 2003

Kearney’s annual retreat is part thank you, part team reset. After a year of hard work, around 170 colleagues leave London behind for a day of new experiences, shared challenges, spending time together and celebration.

The challenge? Creating a programme that appeals to everyone, in a new setting each year.

The morning gets everyone involved in one team challenge. Later, colleagues choose from activities that suit them, so they have space to connect in ways that feel natural. Over the years that’s included everything from survival challenges and treasure hunts to gong baths, yoga, boxing and mindful chocolate experiences.

Finding the right setting matters too. Country-style accommodation, space for the whole team and close enough to London to maximise the time together. Powwow takes care of everything from agenda and activity planning, venue sourcing, to onsite delivery, leaving Kearney’s internal team to enjoy the day.

Then its time for a BBQ, drinks and a silent disco. Work is done.

It’s a partnership that’s stood the test of time. As Kearney’s team puts it, the events “just seem to get better and better”.

Colleagues walking together along a woodland path
Colleagues seated in an audience at an away day session
Long line of colleagues standing on a lawn in front of a cathedral
Pink ice cream van parked beside a group of colleagues on a country estate
Colleagues running while carrying a wooden pole in a team challenge
Colleagues working together on a hands-on team-building challenge
Large group of colleagues in coloured t-shirts gathered outdoors
Colleagues in orange bibs celebrating during an outdoor team activity
Amanda Holden, Senior Manager, Kearney
“These events are always successful, but they just get better and better. All of that is down to your ideas, impeccable organisation, professional hosting skills and wonderful attitude and smiles. An absolute pleasure to work with.”

Not everyone wants to spend the afternoon doing the same thing.

The morning brings all 170 colleagues together. Then the agenda opens up, with activities people can choose around their own interests and energy.

OUR APPROACH