Case Study: National Grid achieves 30,000+ appreciation moments and stronger employee engagement with O.C. Tanner

How does a multinational organization keep people performing at the highest levels

National Grid, a London‑headquartered multinational electricity and gas utility serving millions across the UK and Northeastern US (about 26,000 employees), needed to unify recognition after years of mergers and varied local programs. Leadership wanted an organization‑wide solution to drive engagement, reinforce safety, operational excellence, customer service and innovation, and connect teams across locations and geographies.

Working with O.C. Tanner, National Grid launched the "appreciate" program in April 2012: a centralized platform for animated thank‑you cards and badges, manager‑approved awards, milestone recognitions signed by the CEO, and an annual Chairman’s Award, backed by targeted communications, leader training, engagement champions and measurement. The program generated more than 30,000 appreciation moments and survey results showing 97% of awardees found presentations personal and 95% felt their contributions were linked to company values, helping establish recognition as a strategic business tool.

National Grid

Iain MacKinnon

Global Reward Manager