The award judges were impressed by the company’s creative approach to staff training, which includes the creation of an internal "Sponge University" to help employees develop key skills and achieve their potential.

Louise Pasterfield, Managing Director, Sponge UK, said, "As a company in the learning business, it means a great deal to be recognised for the training we offer our own team. We’re committed to building an organisation in which people can thrive and everyone is constantly learning and developing their skills. As our teams continue to grow and push the limit of what is possible, we are able to offer our clients new and innovative solutions that are at the forefront of eLearning". 

Sponge UK has grown rapidly in the past four years and provides internal and external training for its sixty-strong workforce to help them develop as the company continues to expand. The informal and formal learning opportunities include business mentoring, leadership training, graduate development, and social learning.

As part of Sponge University, each department in the business has created a learning pathway made up of different sessions covering key aspects of the eLearning industry.

Sponge UK was able to demonstrate the positive impact training is having on the organisation, including supporting business expansion, boosting innovation, maintaining the highest standards of customer service, and helping to attract and retain talent.

The awards were presented at a gala ceremony at The Atlantic Hotel, Newquay, 29 January 2016.

Sponge UK was recently named one of England’s fifty most creative companies and is on the Sunday Times list of the 100 best small companies to work for.