The Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group has once again been accredited as a Great Place To Work® (GPTW) for 2026/27, a testament to the Group’s commitment to building a workplace defined by authenticity, care and passion. This third-party accreditation, awarded by the Great Place To Work® Institute, serves as an independent, verified seal of approval validating O&L’s positive workplace culture.
Sven Thieme, Executive Chairman expressed his gratitude to the O&L employees for their input and noted that the feedback from the annual anonymous survey was vital for achieving the Group’s Vision 2029: “Retaining this accreditation is a shared achievement. While we celebrate our progress, we remain intentional about improvement. Our goal is to be recognised globally as a Top 10 Great Place to Work, ensuring that O&L remains an employer of choice that contributes meaningfully to the future of Namibia and its people.”
The value of this accreditation is far-reaching. For O&L’s employees, it represents formal, independent confirmation that their experiences at work are recognised and taken seriously - a strong signal that their voices shape the organisation’s direction. Internally, it drives accountability. Survey results are shared openly, discussed at all levels and translated into concrete plans for improvement. Externally, accreditation signals to customers, investors and partners that O&L’s culture of care is a measurable, verified reality. As one of Namibia’s largest private employers, with major subsidiaries spanning food production and retail, tourism and engineering, O&L’s investment in its people has a direct bearing on the quality of service experienced by Namibians every day. A motivated, engaged workforce shows up in how customers are served, how communities are supported and how the broader economy is strengthened.
This year, O&L attained an overall Trust Index™ score of 69%, confirming its accreditation status. Notably, 11 of O&L’s Operating Companies (OpCos) achieved individual certifications, an improvement from the previous cycle. Placed in historical context, the results are especially encouraging. Since O&L first participated in the Trust Index™ survey in 2017, the Group has met the 65% accreditation threshold in six of the eight survey cycles conducted to date. Significantly, the two most recent cycles –2025 and 2026 – represent the highest scores ever recorded, signalling that O&L’s long-term investment in its employees and its culture is gaining meaningful momentum.
By fostering a workplace where employees feel empowered and valued, O&L continues to strengthen the trust held by its customers, investors and the broader Namibian community. The Group remains dedicated to creating shared value, ensuring that its internal culture translates into superior customer experiences and sustainable national development.
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