Axol Bioscience Boosts Employee NPS by 57% with UKG Beacon

Axol Bioscience is a leading provider of solutions in neuroscience research, specialising in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology. The company employs PhD level scientists and support teams who work at the forefront of scientific innovation. Following a merger in 2021, Axol faced challenges in communication, employee engagement, and cross-site collaboration. With a limited rewards budget, the organisation needed a platform that prioritised recognition over monetary incentives. 

With UKG Beacon, Axol Bioscience has experienced:

Challenges

Following the merger, Axol encountered some unexpected hurdles:

• A decline in employee wellbeing due to the pandemic.
• Difficulty delivering genuine recognition in a remote work setting.
• A need to retain key talent while improving collaboration across sites.

Axol's CEO Liam Taylor observed the value of recognition beyond financial rewards in a high-skill environment, noting, "For our team, acknowledgement and celebrating success are just as important as monetary rewards.”

Solutions

Axol turned to UKG Beacon to help rebuild its culture and elevate recognition during this period of significant change. From the outset, leadership buy-in ensured a smooth implementation and strong adoption across the business.

“Unlike other platforms, UKG Beacon isn’t robotic," said Sonya Ansell, Head of HR, recognising UKG Beacon's potential. "It’s personal and adaptable, which makes it perfect for a company like ours."

UKG Beacon became a natural part of everyday work at Axol, enabling teams to celebrate achievements, reinforce company values, and spotlight contributions that often went unnoticed — especially in a remote setting. Early leadership concerns around visibility and monitoring gave way to enthusiasm as the solution proved to be a platform rooted in positive reinforcement, not surveillance.

"We don’t need to remind people to use UKG Beacon — it’s a natural part of how we operate now," said Ansell.

Results

By aligning recognition with company values and wellbeing goals, UKG Beacon empowered Axol to track and reinforce company values, delivering tangible results:

• Employee NPS soared from 0 to 68, a 57% increase within the first year.
• Employee engagement reached 85%, an exceptional milestone for a first-year survey.
• Axol won the prestigious Outstanding Workplace 2022 award.
• Cross‑site communication and collaboration significantly improved.

“UKG Beacon reinforces the need for collaboration because it’s about praising others, not yourself,” said Liam Taylor, CEO at Axol Bioscience.

UKG Beacon not only enhanced engagement but also contributed to Axol’s mental health initiatives.

“UKG Beacon drives mental health and wellbeing, which then drives engagement," said Taylor.

The results speak for themselves:

• A cohesive and collaborative culture, even across multiple sites.
• A remarkable 85% engagement score.
• Unparalleled levels of satisfaction among employees.

UKG Beacon has transformed Axol Bioscience by aligning recognition with organisational values, improving employee wellbeing, and driving engagement. With measurable success in both culture and performance, Axol exemplifies the power of a thoughtful, well-executed recognition strategy.