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How Suncorp uses reward and recognition to unite its workforce

See how Suncorp uses Reward Gateway's employee recognition platform to improve employee communications, build a thank you culture and reinforce its mission, purpose and values.

Suncorp Shine

100k+

recognition moments in 12 months

80%+

employee engagement on the platform

$500k

in employee savings

Suncorp Group Limited employs over 11,000 people in Australia and New Zealand to provide financial services and solutions to nine million customers.

To unite thousands of employees spread across a large portfolio of services and located in 250 different offices and branches, Suncorp created a simple but powerful recognition program designed to keep their “One Suncorp” business model and company values front of mind, while linking everyday achievements to its mission and purpose.

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Industry:

Finance

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Number of employees:

11,000+

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Number of locations:

250

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Platform features:

Employee recognition, employee communications, employee benefits

The challenge

With a dispersed workforce, different business units and varying recognition initiatives, Suncorp faced inconsistency in what was being recognised, and how. Recognition was happening in small pockets, but the people who needed it most often missed out. 

According to Neha Patel, Manager - Performance, Recognition & Benefits at Suncorp:

“Years ago, we asked ourselves a very important question: How do we make our people feel seen, heard and valued across such a dispersed workforce, spread across time zones and roles? Recognition is one of the most powerful yet underrated business levers. Done right, it drives engagement, boosts morale and strengthens performance across the board."

Suncorp recognised the need to move away from fragmented programs and towards a consistent, enterprise-wide approach that aligned with their purpose and cultural pillars.

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The approach

Suncorp launched Shine, its company-wide recognition platform, more than a decade ago with a clear goal: make recognition accessible, consistent and meaningful for every employee.

What began as a recognition system has evolved into a cultural cornerstone, or as Neha describes it, “a muscle memory for a job well done.” Shine is now a common language across the organisation, deeply woven into the fabric of Suncorp’s culture.

Key elements of Suncorp’s approach include:

  • Culture alignment: Recognition categories linked to Performance Edge, Customer Obsession and Innovation, alongside core Being at Suncorp behaviours.

  • Fresh initiatives: Campaigns like Employee Appreciation Month and top-sender shoutouts keep engagement high.

  • Inclusion focus: D&I eCards (e.g. Diwali, NAIDOC Week) and bilingual cards in English and Māori foster belonging.

  • Community impact: Integration with Spirit to Cure lets employees donate recognition points to fundraising.

  • Financial wellbeing: SmartSpend app saved employees $500,000+ in one year, easing cost-of-living pressures.

 

The results

The numbers speak volumes:

  • 100,000+ recognition moments recorded in FY25 alone

  • Engagement index consistently above 80% across the platform

  • Over 300 eCards sent during Employee Appreciation Month in just one campaign

  • Thousands of dollars donated to cancer support initiatives via Shine

  • $500,000+ in employee savings in a single year through SmartSpend

Recognition is no longer seen as a side activity, it’s now central to performance and culture at Suncorp. Leaders use Shine dashboards to gain real-time insights and incorporate recognition into performance conversations, making recognition both strategic and impactful.

“Recognition has quietly woven itself into our performance story,” Neha says. “When people are seen and heard at the right moment for the right things, it fuels pride, accountability and ultimately drives great impact.”

Shine continues to evolve, delivering emotional and practical impact for employees while reinforcing Suncorp’s culture, purpose and performance edge.