Leading the future of

WORKPLACE WELL-BEING

Standard Bank has become the first Africa-based financial institution to earn the WELL Health- Safety Rating across 15 corporate buildings, covering 353 000m2 of real estate in South Africa. This globally respected certification, awarded by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), recognises organisations that implement evidence-based strategies to improve health, safety and well-being in the workplace

MAKING WELL PERSONAL

Behind this milestone lies a quieter, more personal story, one that resonates with a cleaner, a bottle of soap and a moment of relief.

While walking through one of Standard Bank’s WELL certified buildings, Keith Cassie, Head of Sustainability for Real Estate Services, noticed a cleaner using a new product. Cassie mentioned how glad he was that the service provider had switched to safer cleaning options. The cleaner paused, looked up, and said, “The old stuff used to give me headaches. I’m so relieved this one doesn’t.”

That simple exchange captured the essence of what WELL means for Standard Bank. It’s not just about reports or certifications, it’s about how people feel, interact and move in the spaces they work. It’s about dignity, health and the small changes that make a big difference.

“In that moment, WELL stopped being a framework and became something human,” Cassie says. “It is a visible difference in someone’s daily life, and that’s what makes this achievement matter.”

FROM FRAMEWORK TO ACTION

Standard Bank’s WELL journey began as part of its broader environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy, particularly the social pillar. It has since evolved into a philosophy that now shapes how the bank designs, manages and maintains its spaces.

Working with a sustainability consultancy, the bank translated WELL’s global standards into local action. This meant rethinking everything from ventilation systems and emergency protocols to cleaning products and mental health support.

“We started seeing well-being being discussed in boardrooms, on construction sites and in maintenance meetings,” says Cassie. “It has become part of how we do business and how we think about value.”

A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

To scale this transformation, the bank trained 16 internal team members as WELL Accredited Professionals (WELL APs). These experts now ensure that every new building, upgrade or service contract reflects the same commitment to health and safety.

The bank’s WELL-rated sites also align with its green building strategy, linking environmental sustainability with human well-being. Many of these buildings already hold Green Star certifications, creating spaces that are efficient, uplifting and future-ready.

“Sustainability and well-being aren’t separate goals; they’re two sides of the same coin,” says Cassie. “When you design for well-being, you design for connection, purpose and resilience.”

One of the most powerful outcomes of the WELL programme is the culture it has fostered – a culture of shared responsibility and care. WELL standards have influenced how suppliers, contractors and service providers operate, ensuring that health and safety extend beyond internal teams to everyone who interacts with the bank’s spaces.

“The WELL Health-Safety Rating is more than a plaque,” says Nkosinathi Manzana, Standard Bank Head of Real Estate Services. “It’s a promise that everyone who enters our buildings will experience a space that’s safe, healthy and welcoming.”

This culture is now embedded in how Standard Bank manages its properties, procures services and plans improvements. It’s a shift that’s influencing the broader property and financial sectors, proving that well being is not just about good ethics, but also about good business.

SCALING WELLNESS ACROSS AFRICA

Standard Bank’s WELL journey is just beginning. With a scalable model and trained teams, the bank plans to expand its wellness initiatives across Africa, using the lessons learned to inform future developments and strengthen its leadership in workplace well-being.

“The success of this programme lies in its humanity,” says Manzana. “It’s about seeing people, listening to them, and designing spaces that honour their needs.”

In a world where workplace wellness is often reduced to metrics, Standard Bank’s story is a reminder that real change begins with empathy, and that sometimes, the most powerful transformation starts with a cleaner, a conversation, and a safer bottle of soap. www.standardbank.co.za