Staff at adviser platform Transact will start to return to the office from August as the platform pilots a hybrid working model.

Some staff will return to the firm's City of London-based HQ during August with all staff members to return in September, according to the platform’s latest update for financial advisers from CEO Jonathan Gunby.

The platform will be piloting a hybrid working model with a minimum of three days each week in the office for full-time staff.

Mr Gunby said that while working from home has been effective, the firm has found that some things are better done at the office.

He thanked advisers for their patience during the home-working period and acknowledged that the platform, “hasn’t always met, in every respect, some of the same high standards of the pre-pandemic era.”

The platform has also undergone a ‘campus refresh’ to support the highbred working model.

Mr Gunby added: “We are completing a ‘campus refresh’ of our London office in advance of returning. This will ensure we have technology and workplace configuration to support the hybrid working model. All staff now have company equipment at home and so can work from either location. Rest assured that this is all managed with data and cyber security being the highest priority.”

The platform added that it has started expanding its recruitment programme since the government started easing lockdown restrictions.

Mr Gunby said: “Transact remains a people business at heart and since the government has been easing restrictions we have been expanding our programme to recruit more staff. Recruitment has proved challenging during the pandemic as prospective employees were cautious about changing their employer. Consequently, we have asked our loyal and hard-working staff to work extra hours on occasions over recent months.”

Recruitment is currently under way for 15 graduates as well as experienced personnel in client operations and across the business.