Collins Gilbert is Ventures Platform's Culture Champion of the Year!

“For me, contributing to the company’s culture comes almost naturally because it aligns closely with my personal values - being human, shared success, and everything else the company stands for.”

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Meet Collins Gilbert, Associate, Platform & Networks, and our Culture Champion of the year. 

Like Ade, our Head of People and Culture says, in today’s dynamic business landscape, the success of an organization is not dependent on its products or services but also on its workforce. She'll always add that employees who embody the organization’s values and contribute to a positive work culture are invaluable assets. Recognizing these kinds of employees reinforces their importance and encourages others to follow suit, thereby strengthening the organization’s culture from within. 

At Ventures Platform, culture isn’t just a set of values - it’s the foundation of how we work. This year, we are proud to celebrate Collins Gilbert as our Culture Champion of the Year. Collins is someone who has consistently embodied our principles, not out of obligation, but because he truly believes in our mission.

In this exclusive interview, he reflects on moments of selfless contribution, the role of culture in business success, and what keeps him inspired every day. Dive in to learn what it means to lead with values, even when no one is watching.

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1. Can you share a memorable moment or experience that truly reflected how you embodied the company’s core values over the past year?

Collins: One memorable moment for me last year was when the P&C lead was working on the plans for the VP Kickstart program. It was something I was genuinely excited about, even though it wasn’t part of my core responsibilities or tied to my KPIs in any way. Supporting her wouldn’t have impacted my performance metrics, but I chose to help because I truly believed in the program and wanted to see it succeed.That experience stands out to me because it was purely driven by my passion for the program and my desire to see it come to life - not by any personal gain.

2. What drives you to contribute to the company's culture, and how do you ensure your actions align with the company’s mission and values?

Collins: For me, contributing to the company’s culture comes almost naturally because it aligns closely with my personal values - being human, shared success, and everything else the company stands for. I strive to embody these values in my work every day. Of course, I’m not always perfect at it, but because these principles are ones I want to reflect in my life - whether or not I’m in a professional setting - it makes it easy to live them out authentically. That said, a big part of what makes this culture so seamless to uphold is the team itself. Everyone embodies these values, which makes it even easier to do the same. That’s why receiving this award is such an honour - it could have easily gone to anyone on the team because of how incredible they are. So, in short, the company’s culture is a reflection of who I strive to be, and in many ways, it just feels like living my life with integrity - only this time, in a professional setting.

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3. In your opinion, what role does a strong company culture play in achieving business success, and how do you see yourself contributing to this vision moving forward?

Collins: I believe the true test of a company’s culture comes during difficult times- when there’s pressure, tight deadlines, and challenges to navigate. That’s when the real culture of an organization is revealed, and people show who they truly are. If a strong culture hasn’t already been established during calmer moments, it’s likely to fall apart when things get tough.

For me, contributing to this culture means consistently living by the values we’ve agreed upon as a team. If I don’t uphold them, I risk becoming a weak link, which can create vulnerabilities in the team - especially in high-pressure situations. By staying true to these values, I help reinforce the foundation that keeps us strong and aligned, no matter what challenges arise.

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4. As a 'Culture Champion,' what advice would you give to other team members on fostering a positive and collaborative work environment?

Collins: I genuinely believe that every team member plays a significant role in shaping the company’s culture. Everyone shows up authentically, believes in the values we’ve committed to, and does their best to live by them. That’s one of the reasons being here excites me.

I don’t think I have any groundbreaking advice, but what I will say is—let’s just keep doing what we’re doing. Let’s continue believing in our values, giving our best, and supporting one another. When we do that, we create an environment where great things happen, where we enjoy our work, and where we all feel a deep sense of fulfilment.It’s truly a privilege to work alongside such an incredible team, and I never take that for granted. I’m always deeply grateful to God for the opportunity to be part of this journey with all of you.

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5. How do you stay motivated to continuously reflect and promote the company’s values in your daily work, and what keeps you inspired in your role?

Collins: I think I’ve already touched on what keeps me motivated to uphold the company’s culture - these values aren’t just part of my work life; they’re principles I want to reflect in my personal life as well. Work is a privilege in that sense because it provides a natural space to live out these values daily.But beyond that, one of the biggest sources of inspiration for me is the leadership within the firm. The way the partners and heads of units embody the company’s culture is truly remarkable. They don’t just talk about the values, they live them out. It’s not a case of “this is what we expect from junior or mid-level team members”; the example is set from the top, and it’s consistent across all levels. Even on days when it might feel challenging to stay aligned with these values, seeing leaders uphold them in similar situations is a powerful reminder that I can - and should - do the same. Their example keeps me inspired, and it reinforces why this culture is so special.

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Collins' journey as our Culture Champion of the Year is a testament to the power of living out our values daily, not just in the easy moments but in the challenging ones too. His commitment to shared success, integrity, and collaboration is an inspiration to us all.

As we continue to build a company where culture drives impact, we celebrate individuals like Collins who make Ventures Platform not just a great place to work, but a thriving community of purpose-driven people. Here’s to another year of excellence, shared success, and leading with values!

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