Hi! I’m Amber Baker, People & Legal Advisor at Wirex, and I’m thrilled to share my first-ever blog with you.
Why I’m Writing This Series
If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I love working with people. I thrive on solving problems, making an impact, and generally just trying to make work life better for everyone.
Since joining Wirex in June 2023, I’ve been lucky enough to work with some incredibly talented people across the globe. I’ve always been passionate about people, culture, and creating a meaningful work experience, but stepping into a fully remote role made me rethink what connection and purpose really mean in today’s workplace.
That shift inspired me to write about three things that have unexpectedly become central to my journey at Wirex:
CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) – how it gave me a renewed sense of purpose and became so much more than just “doing good.”
Connecting Our People in a Remote-First World – the real challenge of building genuine human connection whilst working remotely.
Creating Shared Purpose Through CSR – why social impact can be the secret sauce to uniting your team, no matter where they are in the world.
So, if you’re curious about building connection, making an impact, or simply want a peek into the people side of Wirex, this blog is for you.
Grab your favourite beverage, get comfortable and enjoy!
Let’s Turn Back The Clock
I was over the moon when I received the offer for my role at Wirex. It ticked all the boxes - more responsibility, room to grow, and the chance to work with brilliant people. Dream job, right?
Then came the plot twist: it was my first fully remote role and it was a bit of a shock to the system - I felt like something was missing.
Don’t get me wrong—Wirex has an amazing culture, a fab team, and loads of support to help us all stay connected. But for someone like me, who lives for in-person interactions, it was… well, a bit weird. I was talking to people all day on Teams, but somehow, I still felt a little disconnected and somewhat isolated. It was like I was missing a key part of the workplace experience.
Then something happened that would completely change the way I saw my role - I got involved in CSR. And weirdly enough, it all started with… cake!
Discovering CSR at Wirex
How could a Macmillan Coffee Morning change everything? Well, it did!
A bit of fun, a bit of friendly competition, and a great excuse to eat cake in the name of charity. (Win-win, right?) But something clicked for me that day.
Baking brownies (or in my case, attempting to bake), sharing stories, and raising money with my colleagues felt different. It was more than just work - it was about community.
And that’s when it hit me: what if we could do more?
With my line manager’s support, we got our heads together and came up with something bigger – a 12-month plan for CRS, starting with a project to support the homeless in London.
Taking CSR to the Next Level
London is where our Wirex HQ is based, and the homelessness crisis is hard to ignore. We wanted to do something real to help.
The idea? A company-wide donation drive, collecting winter essentials like coats, scarves, and gloves for those in need. And so, the ‘Give Warmth’ initiative was born.
At first, I wondered: Will anyone actually get involved? Will this even make a difference?
Turns out, people were more than happy to help - they just needed the opportunity. And watching the donations pile up on my desk was genuinely heartwarming.
But what I didn’t expect was how much this initiative would change me and my desire to want to do more.
The Unexpected Impact of Giving Back
This project started as a way to help others, but it also brought our teams closer together in ways I never imagined.
A Renewed Sense of Purpose - Work isn’t just about emails and meetings. We also have an opportunity to create real, tangible change for people in need.
Stronger Team Connections - Even in a remote-first company, CSR brought people together in ways that Teams never could. Our colleagues across Ukraine, Poland, and Singapore all got involved in helping their local communities.
A Shift in Perspective - We take basic things, like a warm coat, a toothbrush, for granted. This project made me stop and appreciate the little things more.
Honestly? Being part of this initiative reminded me why I love what I do. And it showed me that my role in HR is so much broader and can make a real impact to others - it can be something so much bigger.
And this journey isn’t over. What started with a coffee morning and my questionable baking is evolving into something much bigger.
Stay tuned for Blog 2: The Hidden Power of Teamwork – How CSR Brought Us Together.