- Written by Nikki Laker - Marketing Director
- Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn
On Friday 6th June, the Opus team and our valued strategic partners came together for our annual event, Vivid Vision 2025: The Road to the Summit.
Each year, our Vivid Vision event brings the entire Opus team and our strategic partners together to align, reflect, and look ahead with purpose. It’s a moment to step back from the day-to-day and reconnect with the shared vision that drives everything we do.
Vivid Vision – The Road to the Summit event
Held at Stanhill Court Hotel, the day was an opportunity to reflect on the progress we’ve made since launching our three-year vision in 2023. It was a chance to not only review our momentum but also to celebrate the people and partnerships driving our success.
Before the main session, we shared lunch in the hotel’s orangery and gardens – an opportunity to connect with colleagues in a relaxed setting before turning our focus to the year ahead.
A warm welcome
To kick things off, Service Delivery Director Stephen Brown warmed up the Opus audience with a quick-fire prize draw. Each attendee received a gift bag with a unique number on arrival, and four lucky numbers were randomly selected for an instant win. Congratulations to our spot prize winners: Oliver King, Stefan Bagiensky, Sarah Mahone, and Leonard Briones.
Reflecting on the Vision
CEO Michael O’Donnell opened the session by revisiting our mission and the importance of the Vivid Vision we set in motion two years ago. He shared a clear assessment of our performance over the past year, framed around the four pillars that underpin our growth: People, Strategy, Execution, and Cash.
Michael highlighted how Opus has continued to grow despite wider economic uncertainty outpacing UK productivity trends and building real momentum. He also provided an update on our progress towards Opus’ BHAG, showing how far we’ve come and reaffirming the ambition that drives us forward.
What sets Opus apart
Chief Operations Officer Chris Terry took a closer look at what truly differentiates Opus in a competitive market. He explored our unique ‘X Factor’ – the combination of customer focus, operational excellence, and innovation – that shapes the experience we deliver and influences how clients choose to work with us.
At the heart of this differentiation is our people. Chris spoke about our commitment to hiring only the best, building high-performing teams who drive our success and consistently deliver for our customers. He reinforced the value we place on personal growth, leadership development, and a culture built on trust and collaboration.
Chris also introduced our updated Customer Promise: Obsessive about exceptional service – a clear commitment to delivering dependable excellence, informed by insight and shaped by the voice of the customer.
Celebrating progress
Chief Commercial Officer Michael O’Donnell took the stage to reflect on the progress we’ve made over the past year. A video recap highlighted key milestones and achievements from 2024/25, followed by a special video message from Thomas John, VP of Partners at Five9, who shared why Opus continues to stand out as a strategic partner.
Michael emphasised that our success is built on the contributions of every individual in the business. He invited the team to commit to personal growth goals – an important step toward reaching our collective Vivid Vision 2026 objectives.
Financial Performance
Finance Director Charlie Roche presented an overview of Opus’ financial performance, highlighting a standout year for revenue growth. This was supported by solid year-on-year increases in both revenue and gross profit.
Charlie also reinforced the broader value of growth, explaining how it creates new opportunities for career development, helps us attract top talent, supports our volunteering and community efforts, and enables continued investment in employee benefits. She emphasised that growth is more than just a financial metric; it’s what enables us to invest in our people and our future and that sustained growth powers progress across every part of the business.
Digital Transformation Update
Service Delivery Director Stephen Brown provided an update on our digital transformation journey, outlining five key focus areas: delivering a seamless digital experience for both customers and employees, building confidence in our data, unlocking actionable insights, and accelerating the use of automation and AI.
Stephen shared the significant progress made to date, including the formation of a dedicated Digital Transformation team. He welcomed new team members: Luke Bristow (Business Analyst), Anthony Digba (CRM Administrator), and Dan Potts (Functional Consultant), who are helping to drive this critical work forward.
Looking ahead, Stephen outlined the next phase of our transformation plan. Priorities include enhancements to our service desk, the rollout of new API integrations, and a continued focus on embedding AI across the business to improve efficiency, insight, and service delivery.
Opus making an impact
CEO Michael O’Donnell spoke about the importance of Opus’ commitment to giving back, supporting our local community while contributing to national initiatives and global causes.
Two video messages brought this to life. Becky from the Lucy Rayner Foundation shared how Opus’ financial support has enabled the delivery of in-school counselling services, providing young people with regular mental health check-ins that are making a real difference. A representative from Renewed Hope also highlighted how our support has funded a vital administrative role, helping the charity to expand its reach and deliver essential services to vulnerable people in the local area.
Michael then welcomed Dr Louise Archer to the stage, the current Opus Research Fellow at Polar Bears International. Louise offered insight into her groundbreaking work, explaining what a typical day looks like, the nature of her research, and the broader impact of polar bear conservation. She made clear that this work is not only critical for protecting a species but also for understanding the wider effects of climate change and its relevance to all of us.
The Opus Values Awards
A highlight of every Vivid Vision event is the opportunity to recognise the individuals who go above and beyond in living our values. As part of this annual tradition, we presented the Opus Value Awards to celebrate the people who bring our culture to life every day.
This year, five awards were presented, each with a winner and a highly commended recipient. Both received a trophy and a financial reward in recognition of their outstanding contribution.
The Ultimate Team Player Award
The Ultimate Team Player Award represented our Work Together, Win Together value. This award was reflective of the team player, who is always looking to achieve the best outcomes for everyone.
Winner: Sam Faulkner – PMO Team Leader
Highly Commended: Bridget Dale – Head of People and Compliance
The Trailblazer Award
The Trailblazer Award represents our Be Brave and Think Differently value. This award was reflective of employees that are ambitious and like to challenge how things are.
Winner: Chris Wells – Senior Project Engineer
Highly Commended: Mark Balzaretti – Head of Technical Services
The Above & Beyond Award
The Above & Beyond Award embodies our values of “Own It” and “Never Give Up.” This award is given to an employee who demonstrates responsibility and a strong determination to succeed.
Winner: Charlotte Lilley – Project Co-ordinator
Highly Commended: Tom Harrison – Finance Business Analyst
The Platinum Performance Award
The Platinum Performance Award represents our “Strive To Be The Best” value. It is given to an employee who consistently sets higher standards and excels in all their endeavours.
Winner: Lucy Bailey – Service Management Analyst
Highly Commended: Oliver Thomas – Solution Design Consultant
The Outstanding Progression Award
The Outstanding Progression Award represents our “Stay Curious and Keep Learning” value. It is given to an employee who shows a strong commitment to learning, embodying a growth mindset and demonstrating excellence in both personal and professional development.
Winner: Zeeshan Haider – 2nd Line IT Support Engineer
Highly Commended: Ben Pearce – Junior Accountant
Elite Sales Awards
These awards recognise individuals who have exceeded their New Logo and Growth revenue targets, exemplifying our Strive to be the Best value.
Congratulations to our 2025 Elite Sales winners:
- Adam Sankey
- Dave Callman
- Drew Woodger
- Paul Allen
- Kris Graham
- Stuart Green
- Bradley Jackson
- Haydon Kirby
- Matt Delargy
All That Is Opus Award
As the event drew to a close, we announced our most prestigious title: the All That Is Opus Award – our Players’ Player recognition, awarded to the individual who best embodies the spirit, values, and culture of Opus.
This year saw an exceptionally strong field of nominees, including Oliver King, David Callman, Tom Harrison, Adi Deda, and Matt Davter. In recognition of the quality and impact of this year’s contenders, the Executive Board awarded two Highly Commended titles to Charlotte Lilley and Shane O’Malley.
The 2025 winner, chosen by unanimous decision, was Jess Waller, recognised for her outstanding contribution, consistent positivity, and the way she lives and breathes what it means to be part of Opus.
Concluding thoughts
In his closing remarks, CEO Michael O’Donnell reflected on the challenges of the past year and the positive transformation they’ve helped to drive. He reminded us that while change isn’t always easy, it often brings the clarity and momentum needed to propel us forward.
With a strong foundation, a clear strategy, and a team of talented, committed people, we’re entering the next phase of our journey with confidence. Now begins the big push toward our shared goal – an ambitious but achievable summit we’ll reach together.
Following the formal presentations, we were joined by our strategic partners as the evening shifted into celebration. The BBQ was fired up, drinks flowed, and music created a relaxed and lively atmosphere. Friendly competition sparked around the Polar Bear Racing Game, where players raced against the clock to race their bear to victory for big prizes.
Vivid Vision 2025 was more than just a reflection on progress – it was a springboard for what’s next. With clear goals, a strong sense of direction, and a team that never stops moving forward, Team Opus are ready for the climb to the summit.
The party then started...
