CluneTech Newsletter H1 2026■

Continuous learning is a key part of how we grow – both as individuals and as an organisation. Over the past few months, colleagues across our businesses have taken part in a wide range of learning and development initiatives, from leadership and sales culture training to international tax programmes and first aid certification.

Here's a look at some of the recent opportunities that have helped our teams build new skills, strengthen collaboration, and continue delivering excellence for our customers and each other.

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Sprintax: Managers' Skills Training

This June, nine recently appointed managers and team leads from our Sprintax Tech teams took part in a dedicated Key Management Skills training programme delivered by Andrey Basat, Corporate Trainer and Coach at In Your Hands - a company with more than 20 years of experience in corporate training.

The two-day, in-person training took place at our Varna office and was designed to equip colleagues with the practical leadership and people management skills needed to succeed in their new roles. It proved to be a valuable and hands-on learning experience for all participants.

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Fintua Experts on the Global VAT Stage: IVA University and International VAT Conferences

Over the past two years, colleagues from Fintua have had the opportunity to expand their expertise beyond their day-to-day roles through participation in IVA University and a series of conferences in Warsaw, Helsinki, and Palma de Mallorca organised by the International VAT Association.

Engaging with the global VAT community has helped our colleagues broaden their professional perspectives, deepen their expertise, and gain first-hand insights into the latest developments in European tax legislation. Beyond the knowledge gained, these experiences have also created valuable opportunities for international collaboration, networking, and continuous professional development.

Following their return from Warsaw, Poland, our colleagues reflected on this unforgettable experience in a feature for Money.bg. Be sure to check it out here.

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Benamic: Building a Strong Sales Culture

At the end of April, more than 50 Benamic colleagues took part in a two-day Sales Culture Organisation training in Varna, delivered by Pavel Panov, PhD from In Your Hands. Through an engaging business simulation, participants from across Development, Customer Service, Client Success, Sales, Project Management, and our Ireland-based teams explored how collaboration, communication, and decision-making directly influence both internal and external customer experience. The highly interactive sessions reinforced the idea that everyone has a client-facing role and highlighted the importance of cross-functional alignment, ultimately fostering a more customer-centric and sales-oriented mindset across the organisation.

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Second Edition of Fintua’s Tax Academy

Following the success of its first edition in 2025, Fintua’s Tax Academy returned this spring with an even stronger focus on practical learning and real-life collaboration. Designed to deepen VAT expertise and strengthen understanding of client communication and compliance processes, this year’s Academy brought together around 75 colleagues across Varna and Veliko Tarnovo, representing nearly every Fintua team. The strong participation reflects Fintua’s ongoing commitment to continuous learning, knowledge sharing, and cross-team collaboration. Well done to everyone who took part!

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First Aid Refresher Training

This March, our dedicated First Aid Teams in Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, and Shumen took part in a refresher training session organised by a certified first aid training provider in collaboration with our Health & Safety Expert, Yordanka Todorova.

The training reinforced essential skills needed to respond quickly and effectively in emergency situations, provide life-saving first aid, and help ensure the safety and well-being of everyone in the workplace.

Following the training, all participants received a Workvivo badge recognising their certification. You can also find the full list of our certified First Aiders below.

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The first half of the year has been marked by a series of truly special milestones at CluneTech. And while 25 years might sound like just a number, for us it represents something much bigger – people, growth, memories, and a shared journey that continues to shape who we are today.

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25 Years Since the Establishment of Our Bulgarian Office

On 26^th April, we marked 25 years since the establishment of our office in Varna, Bulgaria – an incredibly important milestone in CluneTech’s history.

This moment represents the beginning of our international journey and played a key role in shaping the global business we are today. From a family business started at the kitchen table, through our first international office in Varna, Bulgaria to a truly global organisation, this achievement reflects the dedication and contributions of many colleagues over the years.

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A Message of Gratitude from Terry Clune

We started the day with a special message from Terry Clune, who took the opportunity to thank all colleagues, past and present, who have been part of CluneTech’s journey in Bulgaria. It was a meaningful reminder of the people behind our success and the shared effort that continues to drive us forward.

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Down Memory Lane: Celebrating Our Stories

To celebrate the occasion, we also launched a Down Memory Lane photo contest, inviting colleagues to share their favourite throwback moments. From old office photos and team memories to “first day vs. now” comparisons, the submissions brought back a wave of nostalgia, humour, and warmth. With nearly 50 entries, the collection truly captured the journey we’ve taken together – and brought plenty of smiles across the office.

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A Special Visit and a Day to Remember

The highlight of the celebrations was a special visit from Terry Clune and Catherine Quirke, who joined us in the Varna office to personally congratulate colleagues marking their 25-year anniversaries with CluneTech. The office was filled with celebration – from delicious cakes and thoughtful surprises to shared memories and moments of reflection. It was a day that reminded us not only of how far we’ve come, but also of the people who have shaped that journey.

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Featured in Local Media

Our celebrations also captured the attention of local media, who highlighted CluneTech’s 25-year journey in Bulgaria, our growth as an organisation, and the experiences of colleagues who have been part of the company for many years. It was a proud moment to see our story shared beyond the office walls, recognising both our achievements and the people behind them.

Heartwarming Milestone Interviews

To give a closer look at what it means to work at the same company for a quarter of a century, six colleagues taking part in our anniversary celebrations joined our special Milestone Program Interview Series. We had the pleasure of speaking with them as they reflected on their journeys with CluneTech, sharing personal and inspiring perspectives on long-term growth, dedication, and shared success.

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And That’s Not All…

Our celebrations will continue with a special anniversary party at The Brick Port Varna on 8^th August, titled “Irish Roots, Bulgarian Energy”.  The event will bring colleagues together to celebrate the unique collaboration, culture, and energy that define CluneTech – a perfect way to mark 25 years of shared success and to look ahead to the future with excitement.

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Another Special 25-Year Milestone: Louise Coleman

In May, we also celebrated a very special anniversary at our Kilkenny HQ, marking Louise Coleman’s 25-year milestone with CluneTech.

Louise joined the original Taxback team 25 years ago, where the CluneTech journey first began. She started in the finance department and has since played an important role in the growth of the business.

Louise’s journey is a meaningful part of the wider CluneTech story and a true reflection of her dedication, professionalism, and long-standing commitment.

To mark the occasion, Louise also shared her inspiring 25-year reflection on Workvivo, offering a personal look back at her experience and journey with the company.

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Over the past months, CluneTech teams across our global locations have been recognised with a number of awards and achievements that highlight our commitment to creating a great place to work, supporting our communities and driving innovation. From workplace culture and employee experience to inclusion, sustainability and business excellence, these recognitions are a reflection of the passion, dedication and collaboration of our people.

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CluneTech Climbs to 12th Place on Ireland’s Best Workplaces List for 2026

At the annual Great Place to Work Awards, held at the Clayton Hotel Burlington Road at the end of February, CluneTech was ranked 12th among Ireland’s Best Medium Workplaces, marking a significant rise from 25th place last year and its 11th consecutive year being recognised as a Best Workplace in Ireland. The ranking is based on direct feedback from employees through an extensive and anonymous survey evaluating workplace experience, highlighting CluneTech’s continued commitment to building a supportive, people-first culture shaped by the voices of its teams.

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CluneTech Reaches Highest Ever Ranking in Bulgaria's Top 100 Employers

This spring, CluneTech achieved its best result yet in the Career Show Index reaching an all-time high of 12th place in the Top 100 Best Employers in the country. This milestone builds on our strong performance at the Career Show Awards in October 2025, where we secured three gold awards, along with two individual recognitions for Albena Pashova and Nikolena Doncheva. It also reflects the steady progress we’ve made over the past few years, moving from 46th place in 2023, to 26th in 2024, and 14th in 2025.

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CluneTech Named Among Ireland’s Best Workplaces in Tech™ and for Women™

This May, CluneTech was officially recognised as one of Ireland’s Best Workplaces in Tech™ for the sixth consecutive year. Since the Tech category was launched in 2021, we have featured on the list every year - a reflection of the strong culture we continue to build together.

The Great Place to Work in Tech™ accolade, part of the broader Great Place to Work programme, recognises organisations that stand out as exceptional employers within the technology sector. We are proud to have been listed alongside leading employers in Ireland, including McAfee, Cisco, Experian, and other globally recognised technology brands.

In addition, CluneTech was also recognised as one of Ireland’s Best Workplaces for Women™ for the fifth time - a programme that celebrates organisations creating positive, inclusive, and supportive workplaces where women can thrive.

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WeCan and TransferMate Win Silver at the 2026 eir business Chambers Ireland Awards

This June, WeCan received the Silver Award for Community Impact / CSR Initiative of the Year, recognising the incredible impact the initiative has made since launching in 2024. Working alongside our partners at SOS Kilkenny, WeCan continues to show how businesses can make a real difference by creating meaningful employment opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities while supporting sustainability.

It was also a fantastic night for TransferMate which took home the Silver Award for FinTech Company of the Year in recognition of the team's continued innovation and commitment to delivering for customers around the world.

These achievements reflect the passion, innovation and commitment of our people across CluneTech - from the team behind WeCan, our exclusive partner SOS Kilkenny and the many businesses supporting the initiative, to everyone at TransferMate driving innovation in global B2B payments every day. We're incredibly proud to see both recognised at this year's awards. A huge congratulations to everyone involved!

From supporting more than 20 charitable causes to dedicating hundreds of volunteer hours, the first half of 2026 has once again demonstrated the power of coming together to create positive change. Across all our locations, colleagues have continued to make a meaningful impact through initiatives focused on Wellness, Culture & Community, and Sustainability.

Here’s a look back at some of the inspiring activities and achievements that have shaped our CSR journey so far this year.

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Let's Talk Volunteering

Volunteer Day was introduced at CluneTech in September 2021. It allows employees who have passed their probation period to take one company-paid day per year to volunteer for a cause of their choice. Last year, we also recognised blood donation as a volunteering initiative, giving employees the option to split their Volunteer Day in order to be able to donate twice a year.

Since its launch, 350 Volunteer Days (or 2,008 volunteer hours) have been used, with Volunteer Day usage increasing by 50% in 2025 compared to 2022, which was the first full year of the programme.

To learn more about how you can use your Volunteer Day, head to Workvivo's CluneTech Cares Space.

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