A blue icon with 2 employees in agreement.
My Manager
A red icon of an organisation leader directing a difficult climb.
Leadership

Leadership Drives Engagement

Clear vision, trust and alignment from senior leaders shape how employees feel about the organisation - impacting company culture and wellbeing.
Best Companies' 8-Factor Engagement Model, focusing on Leadership.

Discover the Companies With Strong Leadership Scores

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Proxima

The charity and wellbeing committees often join together to create events, such as the Wellness Fortnight in July, when everyone was encouraged to join in wellbeing initiatives, such as a "lunch and learn" on the benefits of physical exercise, a company-wide "plank" challenge or a 24-hour team charity row.
Chief executive Gareth Evans and the board have daily leadership meetings to ensure there is clarity between them. From these daily meetings, there are regular video updates from Gareth that are posted on our company’s Workplace platform so staff can watch these video updates at a time that works best for them.
The X Fund is run by a committee of six employees, who manage a budget for non-essential training needs. Throughout the year, staff can submit applications to the X Fund to request funding. Paid study leave is given to attend the course.
View profile
Consultancy
60a41c4f644574dd25c3c50d

Exposure Ninja

In 2021, most of the management team took an MBA-level course through Nottingham Trent University. The course included modules on women in leadership and effective change management.
A formalised personal development plan process aims to encourage the team to complete a self-reflection exercise before their PDP discussions. Through the employee assistance programme, employees can discuss their career anonymously with a third party who will support them with their ambitions and offer advice.
Last year, the company introduced 20 hours' paid volunteering time a year for each staff member. They can use if for a charity or social enterprise of their choice, or to volunteer for Exposure Ninja’s digital marketing mentoring programme and/or charity event.
View profile
Marketing & Media Agencies
60a42a1f256bd61d04827ec8

Orion Electrotech

Office layouts have been reorganised so that senior staff work in an open-plan setting. The move ensures that they continually interact with other employees and creates the sense that everyone is involved in the day-to-day working of the company.
"The beating heart of our business is our people. They are Orion and represent everything that Orion stands for. Therefore, employee engagement is central to our business decisions as we strive to build an environment that our employees both admire and flourish within," says director Ross Benham.
Staff with two or more years' service can take up either free health insurance or gym membership. Employees who are off sick continue to receive full pay, removing the stress caused by a drop in income.
View profile
Recruitment
60a42fee82899d978c972840

Creative Education Trust

In a video, Marc Jordon explained to staff the reasons why he created the trust and outlined a new strategy. In March last year, headteachers ran the workshop in their own school. It was part of a mission to embed each school's role within the purpose of the wider organisation.
Last year's Best Companies survey revealed that staff, particularly those in the support (non-teaching) roles did not have sufficient development opportunities. As a result, the trust conducted a training-needs analysis and is in the process of building a development programme.
Middle leaders in the trust's schools have been involved in the development of a trust-wide curriculum, which has been important in recent Ofsted inspections. Senior leaders have the chance to be involved in improvement boards for another school as well as their own to widen their exposure to other ways of working.
View profile
Charity's
60a418018660a79f486d5619

Port of Leith Housing Association

During the pandemic, managers held more frequent one-to-ones with staff to offer support and identify any further measures that might be taken to support wellbeing during the lockdowns. Some examples of actions taken include referring staff members to free counselling, providing information on mindfulness and other coping mechanisms, and altering workloads and objectives.
The association promotes an “open-door” approach to all members of the leadership and management teams. The chief executive, directors and managers attend team meetings across the organisation regularly. Discussion and focus groups are run, and shadowing and mentoring opportunities are offered to staff.
Funding of £150,000 was secured from the Scottish government to aid food poverty in the area. Food was distributed though a wide network of local organisations. The association topped up the amount by £57,000. It also ran a community engagement programme in Granton with Granton Gardeners.
View profile
Housing Associations
608143cd71aecb10d18faeea

Southern Housing Group

A new set of company values have been embraced by colleagues, thanks to them being relatable for everyone in the business. These values are used when launching new initiatives, from projects and programmes through to general announcements and events to help add clarity and purpose for employees.
Following a Group-wide awareness exercise for World Menopause Day, which was accompanied by a personal blog from one of the company’s directors, several initiatives have been launched. These include managers menopause guidance, live workshops for menopause awareness and a Yammer page for menopause support, amongst many others in what is an ongoing campaign.
Thanks to Chief Executive, Alan Townshend’s natural leadership style, authentic engagement with colleagues in the Group is achieved through monthly meetings with managers and regular email communications to staff. He also attends staff forums where he invites open questions from all colleagues, enabling him to keep in touch with how colleagues are feeling.
View profile
Housing Associations
608143cd71aecb10d18faeea

Swale Borough Council

The council operates hybrid working and promotes the benefits of this new style when advertising job vacancies. It hopes the new strategy will aid the retention of staff who have expressed support for a more flexible way of working.
The Developing Everyone Framework, provides a tool for managers and their team to discuss performance and career aspirations, and discover the appropriate training and development for all. It has helped to identify the top talent and rising stars, as well as those who need additional support.
Chief executive Larissa Read says: "Our commitment to staff engagement is that every member of Swale Borough Council and our Mid Kent colleagues will be supported to make their voice heard, be it positive or negative."
View profile
Not For Profit Body's
60a42cf42dc6b4e3d0d1fbbf

The Charity for Civil Servants

The Charity runs social hubs for staff to share their interests and hobbies while building relationships and supporting each other. For those who love singing, there is a staff choir.
Everyone is encouraged to speak to Graham Hooper, the chief executive, and offer ideas, ask questions or raise any issues. He has introduced all-staff away days, which now take place online, and invite staff to have a say in how the organisation develops.
The Charity partners with others, from Anxiety UK and Dementia UK to Relate, to support those in the civil service community. Many staff support charities on a personal level. One took part in the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation’s Strictly Ballroom event to raise funds with the backing of his colleagues.
View profile
Charity's
60a418018660a79f486d5619

Sofology

Senior leaders often engage with others on the workplace platform by adding comments on posts from others, commending them and encouraging staff. Feedback is welcomed and leaders openly promote the Sofologist Say forum, which enables people to submit ideas, suggestions or ask questions for response from leaders and stakeholders.
Charities supported by Sofology include Papyrus, which works to prevent young suicide, Cancer Awareness for Teens and Twenties and Grace House, which provides a home for children with disabilities. In partnership with the Woodland Trust, the company also planted a tree for every order it received last year and more than 115,000 were planted.
The company runs immersive campaigns across the workplace platform, providing information and signposting on a range of themes. It encourages staff across all business areas to interact and share stories with each other. A great example of this was Sofology's Pride campaign.
View profile
Retail
60a43035f743b80a778436df

iQ Student Accommodation

A ‘Think Green’ campaign put a focus on the environment thanks to its aim of improving the energy efficiency of buildings through engagement programmes for both employees and student residents. The campaign included both e-learning and building technical programmes, as well as encouraging better recycling and simple tips for energy conservation.

Leaders consistently refer to iQ’s values through communication, live events, or business updates and play a key part in recognising when the values are being demonstrated. Recently, the Senior Management Team sponsored and supported the development and rollout of a behavioural framework aligned to the values, which is now being adopted across the business.

As well as an extensive catalogue of learning provided via our LMS, every team member has access to an unlimited number of funded Level 1, 2 and 3 qualifications in a range of subjects such as Mental Health, Customer Service and Fitness and Health. There are also talent programmes, apprenticeship schemes and a high-performance coaching programme.

View profile
No items found.

Young Devon

The charity has a good mix of senior leaders who have been in the organisation for up to 20 years and those for fewer than five. This keeps some of the history and narrative of Young Devon in balance with the constant need to develop to meet young people's needs.

Young Devon has developed a set of annual workforce commitments and in the past year these have included improving public awareness of its work – achieved through changes to its marketing and partnerships with the BBC and local companies – and reviewing pay and benefits, including implementing the national living wage.

Employees get 30 days' annual leave – in effect 38, including bank holidays and the like. This amounts to 10 days more than statutory and five days more than UK average. The charity believes this is crucial recovery and rest time for staff who undertake demanding work with young people.

View profile
Charity's
charitys-best-companies

Withers LLP

Senior management led a series of engagement campaigns after the coronavirus emerged. These included a video series called Desert Island Lockdown, with chairperson Justine Markovitz in the finale. She also took part in 73 “Meet Justine” Skype sessions for all staff.

A graduate recruitment app is being developed to help Withers reach a wider pool of diverse candidates. The app will also help the firm meet the need to recruit differently, which became apparent during the pandemic. Social media is playing an increasing role in the search for talent.

The Withers World Tour set staff the challenge of walking the equivalent of the distance between all the firm's offices, a total of 23,000 miles. They exceeded the miles target and raised more than £30,000 for charity, including the Mental Health Foundation.

View profile
Law
law-best-companies

UMi

Senior leaders have held have held regular and ad hoc Teams calls to individuals, regardless of their line management – and live recorded sofa sessions with the CEO and team members have discussed current projects, plus veered into light-hearted chat like your favourite takeaway, film, and more.

The last engagement survey showed results consistent with previous years – at more than 90% positive sentiment. The feedback was shared with everyone during business update sessions. The group also shares results of the UMi Pulse survey and makes people aware of any relevant changes it may undertake in response to feedback.

The so-called Positive Posse creates ideas, as well as the time and space for them, to encourage wellbeing. Offerings have covered virtual meditation sessions, coffee and catch-ups, lunches, socially distanced dance routines and quizzes. The posse also pushes out top tips on how to keep motivated and active.

View profile
Consultancy
consultancy-best-companies

Thrive Homes

Thrive Homes switched quickly to being a remote business last March. The Chief Executive, Elspeth Mackenzie, took to the internal social network OneThrive to provide business updates and advice on public health guidelines. Workplace by Facebook was also used to keep staff informed.

The Lumina Spark programme is used to develop people's understanding of themselves and others. It provides tools to constructively share, challenge, debate and give feedback, and to enhance emotional intelligence when interacting with colleagues and customers. Managers draw on its insights in the growth of their teams.

Inspired by a two-minute video from New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern, managers took part in a 15-second challenge, #PrideinThrive. Each of them filmed themselves talking about what they were most proud of and grateful for. The clips were posted on the firm's internal social network.

View profile
Housing Associations
housing-association-best-companies

The Dispute Service

To encourage teamwork and create an understanding of what TDS does, new employees are introduced to the executives and key members of staff. Employees are trained to do other jobs in their department and encouraged to help out in other departments.

Staff have been sent regular gifts through the year, including a Christmas hamper – the perfect accompaniment for the virtual Christmas party. Other events included quiz and bingo evenings. The wellbeing team supports managers with any mental health issues in their teams and counselling is available through an employee assistance programme.

The TDS Charitable Foundation promotes education in the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords. It has awarded grants of £54,725 to five organisations since January 2020 and £808,1000 in total since 2014. The most recent round of funding took into account the effect of the pandemic on the sector.

View profile
Not For Profit Body's
nfp-body-best-companies

The Coaching Inn Group

The senior management team is committed to a leading-from-the-front approach. Covid-19 saw an increased focus on employee safety, with team leaders regularly consulting with staff, encouraging feedback, and following through on initiatives that drive safety in the workplace.

Career progression has continued despite lockdowns and the Coaching Inn's Innspire app promoted such development. Skills training takes place internally and externally through online courses, video tutorials and tailored team-member communication. Face-to-face coaching was actually enhanced by delivering it in smaller groups.

The company has continued to support industry-specific charities such as Hospitality Action and Only a Pavement Away (OAPA), with fundraising and by promoting awareness of their causes. Coaching Inn CEO Kevin Charity waited on tables for the day at an OAPA function, along with other business leaders in the industry.

View profile
Leisure & Hospitality
leisure-and-hospitality-best-companies

Teamspirit

Teamspirit's culture of collaboration allowed the senior leaders to implement decisions quickly and effectively under high-stress, chaotic conditions as the coronavirus crisis developed last year. They road-tested a pandemic disaster recovery plan with all employees in February and implemented flexible working.

After a survey showed that 59% of staff feared that remote working might slow their career and personal development, the agency raised the visibility of its extensive training programme and celebrated promotions (19% of the 70-strong team were promoted last year). In the next survey, 59% shrank to 19%.

Staff vote anonymously in the quarterly peer group rewards scheme, which honours team members who have made a difference through living the company values. The six people with the highest number of nominations receive a £600 voucher and get to hear the often moving comments of colleagues who nominated them.

View profile
No items found.

Tata Consultancy Services

Open and honest communication is key at TCS. This is illustrated by the way pay rises were handled during the pandemic. While the increases were initially put on hold, managers announced they were reinstated at the first possible opportunity – creating huge trust among employees.

Staff are paid to learn. Under the Elevate Wings 1 initiative, which was launched during Covid, junior to mid-level employees who complete specific training packages will not only upskill – they will also qualify for a salary increase of up to 25 per cent.

The Tata Group, TCS's parent company, has pledged over $200million to protect and empower communities during the pandemic. Working with the World Economic Forum, it made its remote learning software free to schools and colleges, to help some of the estimated 1.37billion children that risk having their education interrupted.

View profile
Consultancy
consultancy-best-companies

SWIFT

During the pandemic, leaders have used constant communications with employees. They have contributed to morale through the company's increasing corporate and social responsibility initiatives. The company's leadership has led by example and remained accessible to employees throughout.

During lockdown, a pets' hour gave staff the chance to introduce their pets on video calls to your colleagues. A virtual MasterChef allowed people to share cooking skills and a social club formed at the digi pub.

The company introduced team initiatives such as yoga and mental wellbeing sessions. It also tried to reduce unnecessary meetings and give employees more of their time back.

View profile
Technology
technology-best-companies

Solid Solutions Management Limited

Managers undergo a five-day leadership development programme. Personal goals are set and measured each year or more frequently as appropriate. Discussion between leaders and their managers were the keystone of support offered through the pandemic. The frequency of conversations increased while working from home and ideas were gathered and implemented.

The pandemic was a catalyst for a significant increase in communication, particularly to deliver fast information direct to every employee. It initiated “All Hands” calls to explain the company approach to working from home, coping with home schooling, furlough and temporary reductions in working hours.

Solid Solutions offers an end-of-year company bonus to maximise achievement in the final months of the year. Benefits for staff include free dental and life insurance and staff discounts.

View profile
Education & Training
education-and-training-best-companies

Smoothwall

A positive outcome of the pandemic is that communication within and across the company is better than ever. Good communication was key to maintaining high levels of engagement and CEO Georg Ell led from the front with weekly All Hands meetings that kept everyone informed.

Though this was paused it from April to September 2020, an individual training budget for every employee has since been reinstated. Smoothwall recently recruited a software engineer apprentice who will complete a DevAccelerator upskill programme with Northcoders – a bespoke apprenticeship scheme – for 16 months. The executive team supports managers' with personal coaching.

Salary sacrifice scheme Tusker supports employees to buy electric or hybrid cars, and the company installed four charging points in the car park. There were two further salary-sacrifice schemes to help eco- and health-minded staff fund the purchase of bicycles.

View profile
Education & Training
education-and-training-best-companies

Sky Betting & Gaming

The senior management team launched their Inclusion Pledge and initiatives including a quarterly inclusion survey. A Leadership Mentoring Scheme has also been introduced. This scheme invites applications from everyone, however, it particularly encourages them from employees from underrepresented groups and those who struggle to be heard or who think differently.

SB&G has created a central budget for peer-to-peer recognition, in the form of “Now That” rewards. Staff can recognise their colleagues in the moment with a personalised “Now That” reward of up to £50 with staff sending e-vouchers and deliveries to their colleagues throughout the pandemic.

During 2020 staff raised more than £45,000 for charity partner Macmillan Cancer Support through virtual fundraising including a day-long Coffee Morning, with escape rooms, bake-alongs, live quizzes and online bingo. Employees did skills based volunteering throughout the pandemic working with social enterprises and charities.

View profile
Leisure & Hospitality
leisure-and-hospitality-best-companies

Scarf

The senior management team lead by example, by living the organisation's values and principles. They demonstrate this through their behaviour and how they interact with staff. They have a friendly, honest and open approach and staff have regular opportunities to engage with them and ask them questions.

Scarf has introduced a further learning support policy which encourages staff to take courses that lead to a recognised educational or professional qualification. The organisation loans employees up to £1,000 in course fees.

Last year, Scarf set up a support fund for householders struggling with fuel debt. The Heat Fund has distributed more than £7,000 to help residents heat their homes, mainly through buying prepayment meter credit.

View profile
No items found.

Potato

The company is passionate about creating digital products that are truly purposeful and effective, and the contribution of individual Spuds is regularly acknowledged. Potato also says: “As our head of the business, MD Phil Wright has been a rock, and he and our leadership team have received much positive feedback.”

Benefits include an enhanced pension scheme; Bupa; an employee assistance programme; and access to NABS, the support organisation for the advertising and media industry. Parental leave is above statutory; there is life assurance and group protection insurance; and corporate accounts cover wellbeing and mindfulness coaching by the likes of Headspace and Fidlleaf.

Potato donated food to NHS Heroes at University College London and matched staff donations to several funds in the wake of the death of George Floyd. It continues to support and promote black-owned organisations and initiatives through the agency's online presence

View profile
Marketing & Media Agencies
marketing-and-media-best-companies

Phoenix Software

Managing director Sam Mudd led from the front as soon as the government advised people to work from home, sending regular videos recorded on her phone to keep people up to speed on issues such as getting hold of home office equipment. She also sent business updates and recommended Ted talks to keep people motivated.

A Friday quiz at 4.30pm has kept colleagues interacting over the past year, the £50 prize up for grabs donated to the winner's chosen charity. Staff have also united for virtual fitness classes, bingo sessions and ‘tea and toast' chats, while funny hats have lightened the mood of some team meetings.

Recognising that not-for-profit organisations were being hit hard by lockdown, due to the lack of fundraising opportunities, Phoenix extended its Azure Essentials Managed Service to these clients for free to help keep their IT systems running. All employees have a day per year to volunteer.

View profile
Technology
technology-best-companies

PHASTAR

Managers helped people set up home offices during the pandemic and organised regular team meetings and online updates. Employees were given options to work flexibly to support home schooling or looking after dependants. New technology was brought in to facilitate e-learning and training management.

More regular company meetings and one-to-ones have been introduced, at which everyone is encouraged to use their camera. There are plans to divide the business into teams across functions and countries, to help build relationships and ease communication between staff who would otherwise have no opportunity to interact.

PHASTAR has a paperless office policy under which files are digital wherever possible. Last year digital signature was introduced for internal forms to reduce the need to print out documents. Offices have energy-saving lights and sensors to limit unnecessary usage, and recycling is the norm.

View profile
Consultancy
consultancy-best-companies

Oprema

Staff were kept informed about health and safety issues and Oprema's sales figures during the pandemic. Update meetings took place on Microsoft Teams and, on the social side, there were remote quiz nights. Managers maintained contact and recognition by sending gifts to staff in the post.

Microsoft Teams and WhatsApp groups help colleagues to communicate with each other when they are not at work together. Company e-cards, which were designed in-house, have been a hit and enable the team to say thank you, well done and happy birthday.

Mind Cymru remains the company's charitable partner this year as it was unable to raise as much money in lockdown-affected 2020 as in previous years. In 2019 it donated nearly £10,000 to Macmillan Cancer Support. During the pandemic, it raised funds through the on-site tuck shop which it ran.

View profile
Business Services
business-services-best-companies

Moneypenny

Moneypenny still runs on the family ethos embedded by its sibling co-founders. Everyone treats each other with the same respect, from director to visiting delivery driver. Everyone rolls up their sleeves: from CEO Joanna Swash manning reception or CTO Pete Hanlon picking up laptops for people when everyone moved to remote working.

The company had an 81.5% internal promotion rate last year, with 103 new roles created, of which 84 were filled internally. Moneypenny says: “We learnt so much from our last survey in 2018, which highlighted a concern by staff about personal development. We launched our Leadership Development Programme and 163 people participated in 2020.”

Company co-founder Rachel Clacher set up national charity WeMindTheGap to provide support and opportunities for young people. Moneypenny adopted 26 different species of animals and raised £1,170 after a Chester Zoo appeal and its charity committee, Raising Pennies, gave £1,000 to a local foodbank, hospital and the Salvation Army.

View profile
Business Services
business-services-best-companies

Made Tech

The management structure at Made Tech is based on coaching and mentoring. Guidance for line managers has been written into its handbook to ensure everyone knows how to get someone promoted or handle the annual review and pay increases. Staff wellbeing is central to decision-making.

The business stepped up its online communication with all staff when it moved to fully remote working last year. Managers took the initiative in providing information and support, answering questions in video chats and emails. Its wellbeing Slack channel has never been more active.

View profile
Technology
technology-best-companies

LTE Group

LTE uses a performance appraisal process to measure manager performance throughout the year. This is based on a number of key factors including contractual compliance, learner achievement and staff engagement – and the group's Best Companies results support these action plans. LTE aims to develop its performance management process further over the coming 12 months.

A core LTE value is being one team, with staff collaborating and contributing to company goals. The organisation's senior leadership team of around 60 people represents its current and future leaders and meets times a year to share performance and development.

Each month or so there have been group-wide team sing-alongs and mini-competitions to raise everyone's spirits. Many Teams groups were set up to prevent people from feeling isolated – especially those working at home, and a fitness challenge helped competitive colleagues to track their overall kilometres and achievements.

View profile
No items found.

Wilton & Bain

The recruiter sees its business success as intrinsically linked to its ability to attract, develop and retain brilliant people. Each manager is measured and compensated against a selection of criteria, which includes their ability to achieve this – and the company is constantly looking to improve.

The company relaunched its values during lockdown with none of the management team or board involved in setting the tone of the organisation. These are strength in diversity, stronger together, challenging the status quo, and we never settle – a commitment to exceptional delivery.

Wilton & Bain helped to raise funds to provide laptops to needy children for home-schooling during lockdown. Many families didn't have access to the basic equipment that was required, with Ofcom estimating that more than 1m children weren't able to get hold of a laptop, desktop or tablet at home.

View profile
Recruitment
recruitment-best-companies

Lifeplus Europe

Managing Director Malcolm Vincent encourages colleagues to share knowledge and inspire people to care about their holistic health and overall wellbeing, so that they can lead healthier lives. The guiding principle at Lifeplus is to help people feel good and its vision is to help everyone around the world live well.

As part of its approach to hiring staff, Lifeplus creates short videos that summarise a job role and use this when reaching out to potential talent to stimulate a conversation. It also makes use of social spaces to showcase the company's culture and people.

The company helped staff to cope with feelings of uncertainty during the pandemic, using podcasts explaining the nature of anxiety and some CBT-based techniques. It also encouraged people to focus on their listening and noticing skills when using video-based online communication.

View profile
Health & Social Care

Learning Pool

Managers send weekly status reports to the senior team and directors. Manager, customer and staff feedback is taken seriously. Last year the company set out a five-year strategy, outlining where it was going and how everyone had a part to play in getting it there.

The senior management team is heavily involved in talent nurturing, supporting career growth and development by mentoring employees and allowing everyone to reach their full potential. It also promotes family-friendly working hours, including flexible working, which was appreciated by staff during the pandemic.

Learning Pool is committed to behaving ethically, focusing on its local communities and on the development of continuous environmental initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint. As an online enterprise, it empowers customers to help create a more sustainable world by using its technology.

View profile
Education & Training
education-and-training-best-companies

Lane4 Management Group

Many company leaders have completed the Lane4 Coaching Performance Excellence programme, accredited by Middlesex University, and the Trans4m Programme was launched in 2017 to support new leaders transitioning into their first people-management role. Each course takes six to nine months and is designed and delivered by Lane4 consultants and senior managers.

Lane4's Magic Mondays business updates are now held virtually, with the leadership team joining the sessions. A monthly extended leadership forum includes all heads of department and above and allows for an hour's discussion on topics key to the company.

Company Days are held three times a year where everyone comes together for business updates, the opportunity to network and to have a bit of fun. Online social activities such as talent shows, coffee connects, pet pageants, cook-alongs and garden walk-arounds all also attracted good levels of attendance and feedback.

View profile
Consultancy
consultancy-best-companies

Kyan

The company's values, which drive recruitment and its recognition and review process, are embraced by everyone but the senior team sets an example. Geekiness is about employees' passion for understanding what they do; generosity is about being generous with time to help people; drive is about commitment to action.

Kyan has two ways of recognising employees: a bonus linked to performance against living the company's values and a less formal "thank you" where staff are encouraged to thank team members on a personal level with surprise gifts such as a book or a new mug.

All team members have a self-directed development budget. Training and development is flexible and can involve studying team coaching and board dynamics at Henley Business School, training in practical skills via HubSpot Academy or having a go at improv to help with presentation skills.

View profile
Marketing & Media Agencies
marketing-and-media-best-companies

Karmarama

The Leadership Development Programme is Karmarama's flagship training scheme, developed in-house by the HR team. It is designed to help managers build and develop their personal leadership skills and always receives fantastic feedback. The agency plans to roll it out again this year, virtually.

The weekly Assembly (all-hands meeting) was digitised from week one of the pandemic, so all staff members heard CEO Ben Bilboul and other business leaders deliver a combination of light-hearted announcements and presentations, as well as more serious business topics.

In 2020, an survey showed that colleagues wanted to see Karmarama do more to fight the climate crisis. So Green Karma – with a goal to minimise the company's impact on the world and maximise efforts for the world – was formed. With the support of the, Green Karma committed the business to be net carbon-zero by 2025.

View profile
No items found.

Kagool

At the start of the pandemic, all managers went through coaching sessions in relation to supporting their teams. This continued in a more 1:1 way as the year progressed. Knowing that the company's close-knit departments work so well together and support each other was a positive during some of the more difficult times.

Covid-19 placed huge concern and worry on the global workforce, so Kagool reassured its people on a personal and a professional level. Safety for staff and their loved ones was paramount and supported with a family-first approach. With the seismic impact of the coronavirus on the global economy, employees were reassured about job security.

All results of surveys are shared with the internal staff working group. In response to the feedback, a more flexible working system will be rolled out when employees start to return to the office – if, indeed, coming in is what they prefer. The agency has also reviewed holiday policies and created social interaction strategies via in-house tools.

View profile
Marketing & Media Agencies
marketing-and-media-best-companies

Just Group

Just has signed up to the Race at Work charter, each member of the executive team has a personal objective to support its diversity and inclusion agenda and the firm has also established a network of D&I Champions to drive forward its strategy in each business area.

There are a number of local recognition schemes in place within the organisation, tailored to the employee base and types of roles those employees perform. They include a Hi 5 or HUB hug as a way of saying thank you, as well as other monthly and quarterly awards where vouchers can be won.

‍

Development opportunities include in-role development, coaching, mentoring and in normal times face-to-face training programmes. The company also provides LinkedIn Learning membership to all employees and has launched a management development apprenticeship for people managers. They also run regular lunch and learns on topics from Dementia Friends to Plain English.

‍

View profile
Financial Services
financial-services-best-companies

iVendi

Through the pandemic, the leadership team has provided daily updates as well as weekly catch-ups for those on furlough. It has provided additional training for furloughed staff to help them keep active and avoid mental health decline. Their salaries were also topped up to 100%.

For its software and development teams, iVendi listened to feedback and chose to conduct a trial on remote working for the foreseeable future. This means that half of the company's workforce is now remote working and it appears to be working well.

Two days of paid leave have been offered to employees to volunteer in the local community and there has been a big uptake during the pandemic. One volunteer spent the time building a website for a charity to give them online presence. The company facilitated staff donations to food banks as well as providing toys.

View profile
Technology
technology-best-companies

Inside Ideas Group

Additional programmes have been rolled out to support managers, including Managing Insiders, which provides training on recruitment, communication, managing performance, managing conflict and employee engagement. Managers are additionally offered the chance to complete an MBA on a part-time basis. Regular “round tables” allow managers to raise any issues of concern.

Founder Simon Martin has led from the front on the company's diversity policy, launching a Changemakers programme to coach employees on what it means to be anti-rascist, not just non-rascist. More than 40 changemakers have been trained and a dedicated Diversity & Inclusion lead hired.

Team interaction has not been curbed by the pandemic with the company introducing a range of initiatives including a weekly kid's club for work-at-home parents, exercise sessions, dance classes and entertainment from a comedian and a professional singer. Online mixology classes and a “Quarantini” virtual bar night have proved popular.

View profile
Marketing & Media Agencies
marketing-and-media-best-companies

Freixenet Copestick

Managing directors encouraged staff to take lunch breaks and gave everyone an afternoon off to relax and do something fun instead of working. Each member of the leadership team also headed up a team in the 24 days of advent challenge completing 24 minutes of physical activity every day.

The bonus scheme is based on company performance and individual performance against personal objectives. As 2020 was such great year, everyone achieved more than 100% of their bonus with the managing directors giving everyone another 10% to recognise the great efforts and achievements during such an extraordinary year.

As well as carrying on with the normal work-based coaching and development during the pandemic, the firm boosted staff skills in Excel, project management and innovation and launched a management training programme. Freixenet Copestick also provides a weekly recruitment update to showcase opportunities across the company.

View profile
Food & Drink
food-and-drink-best-companies

Fourth Floor Creative

Chief executive, Rich Keith and chief operating officer, Catherine Cheetham, have weekly or bi-weekly 1-2-1s with all managers offering coaching and mentoring and making sure they are listened to and supported. They also operate an “open door” culture with no need for people to wait for meetings.

Last year Fourth Floor Creative conducted a pay review and gave a pay increase to employees who had been with the company for longer than a year and passed their probation and it is planning to hold a company summer party whenever it can get the whole team together.

Fourth Floor Creative introduced an anonymous wellbeing support line and established a Wellbeing Warriors employee group who coordinates inclusive activities from book clubs, gaming nights and Friday night meets at the 'Online Arms' to daily #watercoolers online chats, a lunchtime scavenger hunt, pancakes and pumpkin carving

View profile
Marketing & Media Agencies
marketing-and-media-best-companies

Flat Iron

When a director joins the company they spend time on the shopfloor getting to know the business and meeting people across all sites for a wider understanding of the business and to increase approachability. All senior managers post updates and interesting facts about their roles on the in-house platforms.

Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Yapster, its in-house comms platform, were useful tools in helping drive engagement while the bulk of the Flat Iron workforce was on furlough. Weekly quizzes, Zoom Friday beer meetings and cooking competitions with everyone voting for their favourite dish became a weekly event.

Pre-pandemic, Flat Iron had selected Bread and Water for Africa, which helps to provide food, education and healthcare to some of the world's most deprived and vulnerable children, as its lead charity. Its second principal good cause was Cool Earth, which fights climate change – the company being conscious that beef production is part of the story.

View profile
Leisure & Hospitality
leisure-and-hospitality-best-companies

Equinix

For the first time, Equinix has been named as one of Fortune Magazine's Most Admired Companies – those with the strongest corporate reputations based on a poll of top executives, directors and analysts. Its EBX (Employee Business Exchange) forum enables nominated representatives to discuss strategies and ensure transparent, effective communication with employees.

Staff interest groups quickly sprang up on Yammer with people sharing personal moments, fun photos, and, of course, communicating about the business. Zoom quizzes and virtual drinks continued hallway conversations. The MD hosts two coffee catch-ups a week with his team and encourages others to do the same.

This year Equinix donated a total of £54,339 to 205 good causes. Food was gifted to The Chapel in Surrey, which went to 150 families; staff backed a joint project between St Mary's Church in Ash Vale and a local coronavirus support group; and raised nearly £1,500 in October's Race Against Hunger.

View profile
Technology
technology-best-companies

DRS

The leadership team's calm, positive and transparent handling of the challenges created by the pandemic instilled camaraderie among staff and inspired peer to peer support. Staff were encouraged to maintain contact with the leadership team and each other and to get involved in social events including weekly coffee catch-ups.

DRS hosts regular events including team lunches and sent employees thank you hampers in recognition of their hard work. Regular thanks and recognition is given in weekly 1-2-1s, quarterly reviews and annual appraisals. Perks include free massages, a discount app and corporate gym memberships.

DRS funds additional qualification and training which has recently included German lessons to help an employee with negotiations in Germany and a diploma in resourcing and talent planning for another member of the team. Soft skill courses also contribute to personal and professional development.

View profile
Consultancy
consultancy-best-companies

Dishoom

Kavi and Shamil undertook monthly catch-ups with all the Babu (management) teams and the new Dishoom Delivery Kitchen workforce. Their priority was to keep employees reassured and informed. More than that, Shamil held a weekly virtual yoga class for anyone on staff to take part in.

Dishoom introduced Flow, a new training app, to provide training for café teams following the extended period away from work. Additionally the company created comprehensive corona safety standards, everyone has taken part in Covid safety training, and people will be made aware of all the required measures going forward.

After communications went online the company wanted to give its people something tangible to hold so the Dishoom Samachar – its own newspaper – was launched. It was delivered to every team members' home. There was also a Zoom kids' party for Chote Dishoom Wallas (the team's children), with a personalised invite sent to their homes.

View profile
Leisure & Hospitality
leisure-and-hospitality-best-companies

Coventry Building Society

When Steve Hughes started as chief executive in April 2020 there was no option to meet people face to face so he did it virtually through weekly Zoom coffee breaks, attending team meetings and webinars. By the end of December, he had also Zoomed with people from all 69 branches.

The Society's bonus scheme is based on its performance across measures including member service, people and community engagement and risk management. The scheme recognises that all employees contribute to and should share in the Society's success and they all receive the same percentage of their salary, 10% last year.

A Society dog show which got hundreds of entries and a Whodunnit competition were among the many innovative events that kept employees' spirits high last year. Staff also took part in fancy dress team meetings, quizzes, photo and baking competitions, virtual breakfasts and a book group.

View profile
Financial Services
financial-services-best-companies

Citypress

The senior leadership team are focused on remaining active practitioners – more than 60% of their time is spent doing client work. They work directly alongside the team, integrating themselves by hot-desking. This helps them to retain credibility and lead by example.

Inspirational speakers from totally different fields are invited to share their stories with staff as part of Citypress's wellbeing strategy. In 2020, these included Lord (John) Bird of The Big Issue and Simon Binns of LadBible. Board games and book clubs encourage staff to take a proper break at lunchtime.

The agency makes 40% of its operating profit available for performance-related bonus rewards, and last year the whole team received a bonus for outstanding contribution. Everyone receives a £500 cash bonus at Christmas, and there are one-off bonuses of up to £1,000 for exceptional performance.

View profile
Marketing & Media Agencies
marketing-and-media-best-companies

Childbase Partnership

At the start of the first lockdown the company's You Make us Proud video applauded nursery teams even before the weekly clap for the NHS launched. At a time when income was severely impacted and restrictions limited occupancy, investment in core service provision and employee support initiatives was maintained and increased.

The company topped up the pay of anyone on furlough to 100% and all job advertisements highlight full partnership in the business to promote its employee-owned structure and the annual tax-free dividend payments made. The same maximum amount, based on hours worked, is awarded to all from apprentices through to Michael Thompson, the Chairman.

Colleagues elected Cancer Research UK as their charity of the year for 2020 – and raised more than £76,000 for the cause. The pandemic did impact fundraising, however – employees achieved a sum of £167,653.27 the year before.

View profile
Education & Training
education-and-training-best-companies

CCS Media

Senior leaders communicate with all staff on a weekly and monthly basis to share business and market updates in person, if virtually. This includes open and live Q&A and feedback sessions, with full employee participation. An open-door policy has been extended to virtually directly access MD James Hardy and his team.

Prior to the pandemic, CCS Media had already implemented virtual employee group “huddles” every morning that took in direct team members – and with senior leaders periodically joining the calls on a rolling basis. This is replicated throughout the business for management.

The company organises multiple weekly social and wellness initiatives – mindfulness, fitness and social – for employees and their children, who get treats like colouring books sent out. Hampers with a choice of contents are distributed to people's homes for individuals and families to enjoy.

View profile
Technology
technology-best-companies

Caring Connections

Managers are all offered coaching and mentoring from an external HR professional, as well as regular one-to-ones, group meetings and support – all of which continued throughout the pandemic. Each is offered a tailored qualification pathway unique to their development, which can extend to CIPD or MBA qualifications.

CEO, Paul, leads from the front and treats his colleagues like family. During the pandemic, he initially responded by increasing the frequency and level of communication to all staff, including guidance on how to work safely during such difficult circumstances.

All employees have access to a one-to-one support service delivered by either a professional counsellor or a cognitive therapist, coupled with a weekly wellbeing call to maintain connections with each team member. Regular ‘thank you' communications are sent to acknowledge achievement and efforts.

View profile
Charity's
charitys-best-companies

Cardiff University Students' Union

The CEO has led a development group to review Diversity, Inclusion and Equality policies, which is open to all within the organisation and an example of how the senior management team (SMT) promotes core values. The SMT holds weekly one-to-ones with Sabbatical Officers to help tackle any challenges.

With student support a career choice, managers attend compulsory training courses such as IOSH Managing Safely and First Aid at Work. They are also encouraged to attend courses that would be beneficial to their role and support their professional and personal development.

With a premium put on keeping staff healthy and happy, all-staff Q&As and virtual Tea & Talk sessions have been introduced. A staff newsletter provides information on mental health and wellbeing support and issues are signposted and communicated on a regular basis.

View profile
Education & Training
education-and-training-best-companies

Capco

Capco runs fortnightly Lunch with Leadership calls to provide business and people updates and to answer employee questions with different leaders leading each call. Virtual quarterly Town Halls celebrate individual and team successes and showcase new initiatives, as well as providing general business news.

Capco has kept staff feeling connected with regular informal team catch-ups and a range of events and activities including quizzes, bingo and a performance from a magician. Employees participated in a team-based running challenge in November, which saw them clock up nearly 20,000km and raise £3,500 for charity.

Last year Capco raised £50,000 for a range of charities including Hackney Foodbank, and Veterans Aid and employees completed 400 hours of volunteering despite the ongoing pandemic. Staff continued to support education and youth empowerment through various initiatives including pro-bono consulting.

View profile
Consultancy
consultancy-best-companies

Camelot

December survey results showed that 92% of Camelot employees believe the business operates with integrity and 96% of them feel well led. The executive team sent out care packages to everyone to thank them during this uncertain year, and the chairman personally called anyone who tested positive for Covid-19 to offer support.

Camelot allows employees to claim up to £1,000 off gym memberships and this subsidy now includes online classes. Everyone can access virtual appointments with GPs, counsellors, physiotherapists – and get life, money and wellbeing support. To help working parents and their children, the firm made an additional 15 days' paid leave available.

Last Christmas, Watford Borough Council and local cycle-hire scheme Beryl Bikes encouraged residents to take part in a Laps To Lapland initiative to fundraise for the Watford Helps Covid-19 charities appeal. The aim was to collectively cycle the 6,307km distance from Watford to Lapland and back, and Camelot donated over £6,000 to the cause.

View profile
Leisure & Hospitality
leisure-and-hospitality-best-companies

Bush & Company Rehabilitation

Managing director Helen Jackson, who took over in 2016, has expanded Bush & Co's services to meet clients' needs.  In a weekly vlog, she joins colleagues listing what they are grateful for, and explains the thinking behind business decisions in a monthly Biscuit Briefing to all staff.

Bush & Co's first response to the pandemic was to emphasise how much the business cared for employees and their families. The firm set up an advice hub and sent “happy post” such as chocolate and sleep masks to people's homes. Managers joined in lunchtime yoga and mindfulness sessions.

Under a joint venture on case management services, in partnership with organisations such as the Child Brain Injury Trust and the Spinal Injuries Association, Bush & Co donates support funds for life to people who are referred as part of the litigation process, no matter how their injury was caused.

View profile
Health & Social Care
health-and-social-care-best-companies

Brilliant Noise

At the end of 2020, each member of the team received a personal letter, a bag of goodies and an award from the chief executive, Antony Mayfield, to recognise their hard work and say thank you for getting through a hard year.

A “Walk the Mind” team social involved the whole team committing to take time away from their screens, outside if possible, and share photos. They all took their walk at the same time, making them feel connected even though the pandemic kept them apart.

Brilliant Noise participated in a local scheme called Tech-Takeback, donating all its unused or old laptops, printers and hardware to be distributed to families who needed them for homeschooling. Staff have taken part in clean-ups on the nearby beach.

View profile
Business Services
business-services-best-companies

Bright Care

The Senior Leadership Team pitched in to deliver PPE to offices and carers when required to alleviate pressure on branch teams. All branch bosses had daily calls from a member of the SLT at the start of the pandemic offering step-by-step support and guidance and these now take place weekly.

The Bright Care Training Academy has continued to run throughout the pandemic to develop employees, who all have a personal development plan. An in-house performance coach is available to help and support the mental and physical wellbeing of all employees.

Bright Care believes strong teams are formed by people who play together as well as work together so it actively encourages employees to plan social events together knowing that other teams within the organisation will cover this time out for them.

View profile
Health & Social Care
health-and-social-care-best-companies

Brandfuel

Managers are tasked with building effective teams with clear objectives, focus and delivery and are provided with generous training budgets to allow team members to embrace new skills and ideas. Individual performances are managed, monitored and celebrated using KPIs and measurable goals.

To keep his teams connected, amused and fed, CEO David Ball set up ‘Doughballs', which invited in-work and furloughed staff to bake treats on Zoom. With yeast hard to find, Bell sourced supplies and sent them out to those who needed them. ‘Doughballer of the Week' has become a desirable accolade.

The first creative agency in the UK to achieve ISO accreditation for sustainability at both in-person and digital events, Brandfuel has appointed a sustainability ambassador to ensure the issue remains central to company culture. The agency helped found ISLA, a not-for-profit alliance promoting environmental best practice in the events industry.

View profile
Marketing & Media Agencies
marketing-and-media-best-companies

boxxe

The senior leadership team communicates with staff through company-wide meetings every quarter, which involve Q&A sessions where staff can choose to be anonymous. They spoke one-to-one to every employee at the start of the pandemic and set up weekly management calls to ensure the flow of information through the business.

When senior managers noticed that some staff were struggling with home working and isolation during the lockdowns, they set up a virtual social calendar which had events, challenges and drop-in sessions. On the agenda were coffee catch-ups, photo competitions, virtual bingo and virtual escape room.

Every Monday, on all social media channels, a ‘Meet The Team' campaign showcases one employee, who explains what their role is and shares some of their home life. The aim is to show that behind ‘Making Technology Human' is a human being.

View profile
No items found.

BHP LLP

The joint managing partners held regular webinars during the pandemic to keep all members of the team updated on the business and other topics, such as Covid safety. Staff were able to raise questions, anonymously if they preferred, and the managing partners made sure every question was answered.

Communication pods were set up after the pandemic started to ensure staff kept in contact with their teams and allow managers to check, informally, how everyone was doing. This helped managers to identify people who were struggling to work from home and put in place measures to support them.

BHP provided online pilates classes for staff working at home. It also introduced a fortnightly mindfulness/meditation session, delivered on Zoom by a wellbeing professional. This was held during work hours, and recorded for use later by staff who could not join in because of other commitments.

View profile
Accountancy
accountancy-best-companies

BBH

A mini MBA programme is a bespoke training scheme, created with London Business School, in which 20-25 future leaders take a two-week residential course to develop their leadership style and understand their future role in the agency, in terms of building internal and external relationships and acquiring enhanced management skills.

The agency has launched a BBH Parent Network, an advice site with its own interactive feed for working parents to connect and share tips and advice based on their own experiences of working from home. BBH Satellite was launched to connect colleagues living in the same area for non-work-related chats.

With many new recruits joining remotely, the People Team created a Virtual Onboarding Programme to help new employees to settle in their new roles despite not physically meeting their line manager or future colleagues. They were also paired with BBH ‘buddies' to assist their integration.

View profile
Marketing & Media Agencies
marketing-and-media-best-companies

Bark

Leaders became reliant on video calls during the pandemic, but made sure to not just chat or write emails to employees, but to engage in weekly socials, consistent team meetings and quick calls to discuss an issue or concern. The company believes in the lead-by-example approach.

Bark offers secondments to all its departments. The aim is to make sure there is a smooth transition from one role to another and that everyone is happy with the transition. A variety of internal or external training is available to encourage staff to increase their skills.

Weekly one-to-ones take place with all employees and there are also weekly team-building events, along with six-week and quarterly town hall meetings, which have been moved online. There are also online socials.

View profile
Business Services
business-services-best-companies

Austin Fraser & Austin Vita

Leaders have access to bespoke coaching to grow their skills. To support them with coronavirus-related challenges, 217 hours of bespoke coaching took place. This included a focus on traditional leadership topics with a remote angle, such as maintaining team culture remotely and running a virtual team meeting.

An intranet and communications platform called GWEN (Got What Everyone Needs) was developed and rolled out during the pandemic. This enabled the business to provide instant updates to staff in addition to the weekly videos from the chief executive, which became known as Corona Comms.

The business's UK office has been designed to minimise its environmental impact. The lighting and the appliances are low energy – and low water, where applicable – and have sensors that turn them off when not in use. All Austin Fraser and Austin Vita offices are 99% paperless.

View profile
Recruitment
recruitment-best-companies

Aspire Group

The Leadership Team has been producing weekly vlogs to keep staff updated and maintain visibility. A number of executive team Q+A sessions have been held and all leaders have regularly attended virtual team meetings, not only in their own teams but with others too.

Virtual exercise classes and 'tea breaks' have given staff the opportunity to come together to chat to people they don't often come into contact, helping them stay fit and socially connected. Flu vaccinations have also been provided for those who want them.

The group's charity, Realise, has a programme of support for a wide range of projects worth approximately £300,000 a year and the Homeworks team has provided services throughout the pandemic to ensure neighbourhoods remained safe, clean and tidy, including removing several tonnes of fly-tipping.

View profile
Housing Associations
housing-association-best-companies

Arcadis UK

The UK leadership team lead programmes covering age, gender, LGBT+, disability and faith to provide role models for behaviour both internally and externally. They share best practice with peer organisations through media engagement and conferences to encourage others to follow suit.

Internally-designed management and leadership courses are offered at all levels. Arcadis is an approved centre for the Chartered Management Institute and supports staff through MBA programmes. All staff have access to online training and managers are invited to one-to-one training sessions.

Arcadis supports mental and physical health as a priority, organising a 12-week physical exercise course with a personal trainer during lockdown and extending private medical insurance to include a Family Health helpline. The Babylon online GP service has been introduced so that doctors can be accessed without visiting a surgery.

View profile
Construction & Engineering
construction-and-engineering-best-companies

AMPLYFI

Amplyfi has introduced CEO & President Check-ins, where groups of five team members from across the business meet one of the two top executives. The senior leadership team are visible daily in the Slack channels. All staff have one-to-ones with their line managers at least once a month.

Amplyfi offers company-wide cash bonus and options schemes and a sector-leading leave allowance. A survey gave staff the opportunity to list, in order of preference, what they would like added to the company's benefits package. Healthcare is being introduced for the entire workforce.

To reduce its impact on the environment, Amplyfi has become a fully paperless company. Also, it sources offices close to cycle paths. After the pandemic started, the company adopted a remote-first approach to all activities. This strategy will be continued to cut business travel to a minimum.

View profile
Technology
technology-best-companies

Active Prospects

During the pandemic, the chief executive Maria Mills and director of care Jade Vallance worked many shifts in residential service and used video calls to ask teams about how best they could be supported. Employees' contributions were recognised by Maria Mills delivering hampers by hand to each service. Gift vouchers were sent to all staff.

During the pandemic, the staff newsletter and awards scheme moved from monthly to fortnightly. The executive team also organised celebrations to mark events such as VE Day, Easter, Christmas, Eid and LGBT+ month. The team has also contributed to fun events such as quizzes, dance competitions and lip-sync challenges.

During the pandemic, more than £300,000 was reinvested in the community. Money went to the Surrey People's Group, which enabled those with learning disabilities to support each other; technology to help service users connect with friends and families; and sensory and communication equipment to help manage anxiety and challenging behaviours.

View profile
Charity's
charitys-best-companies

1E

The chief executive holds virtual All Company Update meetings twice a month to stay in touch with team members across 1E's locations around the world. All managers have been encouraged to increase their interactions with colleagues and hold more frequent team meetings using video.

A new company event called Lightning Speed was accompanied by a gift box for each employee, including a 1E hoodie and socks and a chilli plant kit. The event included a motivational speaker, employee awards and presentations on company strategy. It was so successful it will now be held annually.

The company has made it a priority to encourage staff to take breaks, and blocks out time in all employee calendars to reinforce the point. Health and wellbeing workshops, run by external providers, are given. Flexible working is available for all employees.

View profile
Technology
technology-best-companies

S3 Advertising

After lockdown started, the managing partners divided a list of staff names between them and did weekly check-ins. It was an opportunity for employees to take a little time out and talk about whatever was on their mind – anything from the latest advertising trends to Strictly Come Dancing.

Christmas parties are a big thing at S3, and the pandemic didn't stop the fun. Staff were given vouchers to buy drinks and snacks for the online party, which included a magician. A thank you gift was added to their December pay packet, recognising their efforts during a tough year.

After lockdown started, S3 took over a billboard space in Cardiff for month for its #CelebratingCreativity campaign. The billboard carried a series of ads, designed by agency staff, thanking people for the creative ways they were responding to Covid-19. Public nominations for the ads included whole streets doing sing-a-longs.

View profile
No items found.

Landis+Gyr

Global CEO Werner Lieberherr set up a monthly online meeting to update all employees on company-wide activities, including the impact of Covid-19 on the business. This takes place live, virtually, and people are free to ask him questions directly on any topic.

Employees have been inspired by the level of trust the company placed in them after it went from being 100% workplace-based to the vast majority working from home. Landis+Gyr trusted its people to continue to perform and they delivered – and, in many cases, exceeded expectations.

The Macmillan World's Biggest Coffee Morning – the cancer charity's biggest fundraising event – took place virtually this year with employees encouraged to grab themselves a cuppa and a slice of cake and join the online chat to have a natter with colleagues.

View profile
No items found.

Key Group

Starting from January 2021, key performance indicator objectives for all managers include supporting the delivery of the group's Leadership Academy programme. Objectives are agreed at the beginning of every year; individual performance is assessed throughout; and 1:1s take place at the manager's discretion, according to need and regulatory requirements.

Staff were surveyed to check productivity, mental health and any support desired and the results suggested that 87% of employees felt KG was communicating enough and 90% believed they were receiving the right manager support. While company updates during lockdown were typically business-focused, any direct workforce concerns were addressed.

The business uses focus groups to review the needs of its workforce and to understand further what should be refreshed to improve employee engagement. On the back of this, the benefits offering, existing family-friendly policies, and how the company gives back were amended, to name just a few areas.

View profile
No items found.

Kainos Group

In September, CEO Brendan Mooney, who joined the company as a software engineer in 1989, was given the Chairman's Award for Excellence by the IOD for his personal impact on the culture and success of his organisation through outstanding professionalism and implementation of best practice in governance and leadership.

Kainos values its people highly. When staff said they wanted more flexibility in future, senior managers reconfigured offices to allow them to work how, when and where they want. Different spaces were created in office for employees to be safe and phased returns from home working were negotiated.

Continuous training at all levels is part of its success. An Effective Manager programme has been delivered virtually to 500 managers in the past year. A new Emerging Leaders programme moves participants beyond management fundamentals to four modules dealing with commerciality, connecting people, high performing teams and influencing.

View profile
Technology
technology-best-companies

Jellyfish Pictures

Leaders talk to staff using Microsoft Teams and encourage cameras to be on for every meeting for more engagement. The whole company gets together in a virtual forum every week for an update from Head of Operations Sarah Tanner and MD Natalie Llewellyn about new starters, initiatives, projects and any other news.

Jellyfish employs people with the view of developing them. New joiners can be entry-level runners, apprentices and graduates and there is extensive on-the-job-training and real-life experience. Some staff study and are supported to do so and mentors are assigned to people, too.

The company implemented the 2.6 challenge during lockdown to raise money for mental health charity Mind. Employees could run, walk or cycle, using 2.6 as a measure. One inventive member of staff even walked up and down their stairs for 26 minutes.

View profile
Marketing & Media Agencies
marketing-and-media-best-companies

Impero Software

All managers take part in monthly 1:1s for feedback and to give them the tools they need to perform in their roles. They are also invited to undergo two further annual appraisal and review processes. Minimum expectations around communicating with their teams are in place.

Staff received Just Eat vouchers and there were gardening competitions, fun-run challenges and other company-wide events to keep team spirits high. Mental health support channels were set up and senior leaders were visible and on hand as people adjusted to remote working.

A transparent, fun, supportive and purposeful culture makes Impero a great place to work. Every quarter, the in-house awards system recognises people with can-do attitudes who embody the core company values that include “we make it possible for our people” and “we make it possible for our clients”.

View profile
No items found.

Hamlyn Williams

Having a mechanism for employees to anonymously ask questions and for every question to be answered during its townhall meeting reflects Hamlyn Williams' principle of transparency. Employees are also regularly encouraged to share their feedback and concerns through their managers and speaking to the human resources team.

The pandemic has brought the UK team closer together with employees reaching out to colleagues who they wouldn't usually spend time with, exchanging messages and best practice. Video calls have also helped building global relationships and camaraderie through sharing good news stories and introducing new starters.

Hamlyn Williams rewards staff with benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance, free vacation between Christmas & New Year, a 40 hour working week which finishes at 3:30pm on Fridays as well as an in-house training programme and clear promotion targets.

View profile
No items found.

Clicky Media

Unique to Clicky is that Agency Director Laura Hothersall used to be a coach and mentor –she is still a mentor for the The Girls Network, which aims to inspire and empower girls from the least advantaged communities. Coaching is thus the backbone for Clicky's management style.

All staff have personal development plans, with technical and behavioural training plans, and a monthly manager training programme that used to feature the usual aspects of management – such as delegation and colleague-to-manager leadership styles – has been updated to include coaching on agile and remote working.

Clicky staff took part in the Women's Voices event, part of International Women's Day in March, that that saw some of the most talented professionals from across the media and the creative industries share their expertise with 30 charities that campaign and advocate for women, girls and those who identify as female.

View profile
Marketing & Media Agencies
marketing-and-media-best-companies

ANS Group

The company reviews its business mission and goals at quarterly all-staff meetings. Regular interaction with everyone is key for the leaders to reinforce the organisation's values. The organisational development team meets regularly with the chief operating officer and employee suggestions and comments are discussed, to ensure the company meets staff expectations.

ANS works with staff to develop goals and plans that allow career paths to flourish and people are rewarded through salary increments. Internal recruitment and promotions are preferred over recruiting externally to ensure as much organic growth as possible.

In the ANS Lip Sync Battle, directors battled it out to raise nearly £1,000 for charities such as the Manchester Youth Zone. In the summer, a sister youth zone, HideOut Youth Zone, opened. Instead of splitting its annual £25,000 donation between the two, the company doubled the money.

View profile
Technology
technology-best-companies

1st Locate UK

Senior managers use Facetime to call and talk to individual employees, especially those in thee vulnerable category, to check in with them. The feedback was that the calls were enjoyed by staff and a good way to get to know managers better.

Every individual goes through People Performance Management and measured on how they go about their job and what they do. They are graded against Development Needed, Achieving Standards and Exceeding Expectations and their salary and benefits package is linked. Development Needed grades are given a personal development plan.

Teamwork is important to First Contact and staff are encouraged to take part in charitable ventures, including supporting St George's Crypt, which offers help to homeless people, Westways Open Arms, drop in facilities for those in need, and a beach clean-up near Scarborough.

View profile
No items found.

Xiros Ltd

Their Environmental Group meets regularly to assess the ways in which they can make a positive contribution to their surroundings. Some of the projects initiated by the group have included installation of solar roof panels, sourcing of electric company cars to reduce carbon emission, replacing lightbulbs with LEDs (many on motion sensors) and sourcing their additional electricity from a green energy supplier.

Their Environmental Group meets regularly to assess the ways in which they can make a positive contribution to their surroundings. Some of the projects initiated by the group have included installation of solar roof panels, sourcing of electric company cars to reduce carbon emission, replacing lightbulbs with LEDs (many on motion sensors) and sourcing their additional electricity from a green energy supplier.

They have recently introduced a choir session directed by the Choir Leader that led the group that won last year's BBC Pitch Battle competition. According to research from the CIPD, singing together can be one of the most positive activities they can engage in to boost wellbeing, increase confidence, improve communication and gain a sense of overall achievement.

View profile
No items found.

WW GBR Ltd

More recently they have encouraged WW employees to bring the inside out, sharing externally what it feels like to work for their brand. They have achieved this through more effective use of social media - sharing their internal events and development opportunities across LinkedIn and holding Facebook Live Q&A recruitment sessions that give candidates an opportunity to meet the team and ask about their opportunities.

They use a variety of tools to help employee development. One of which is their WW Inspire events where they invite guest speakers to share their experiences of development, including the Olympic Champion Alex Gregory and Celebrity Ambassadors Curtis Pritchard and Alison Hammond.

More recently they have encouraged WW employees to bring the inside out, sharing externally what it feels like to work for their brand. They have achieved this through more effective use of social media - sharing their internal events and development opportunities across LinkedIn and holding Facebook Live Q&A recruitment sessions that give candidates an opportunity to meet the team and ask about their opportunities.

View profile
No items found.

World Travel Holdings (UK) Ltd

They have recently invested in their managers of the future as a number of employees are undertaking a chartered manager degree apprenticeship through a local university, which is a 4 year program and on completion candidates will gain a BA (Hons) in Business Management and will obtain chartered management status.

Their senior team live and breathe their company values, the employee of the month is based around their values as is the yearly awards. They hold a weekly Senior Management meeting incorporating core areas of trading and the directors invite their platinum employees (those employees that have been with the business for 9 years or more) to a lunch meeting each month to provide an insight into future initiatives for the business and to welcome their suggestions.

Their senior team live and breathe their company values, the employee of the month is based around their values as is the yearly awards. They hold a weekly Senior Management meeting incorporating core areas of trading and the directors invite their platinum employees (those employees that have been with the business for 9 years or more) to a lunch meeting each month to provide an insight into future initiatives for the business and to welcome their suggestions.

View profile
No items found.

Whittingham Riddell LLP

They keep in touch with parents and enable them to understand what is happening in the workplace during their leave should they wish. They have flexible working to allow parents to start and finish at different times removing the stress of 'clocking in and out'. They invite to work and social events to keep them in touch.

They keep in touch with parents and enable them to understand what is happening in the workplace during their leave should they wish. They have flexible working to allow parents to start and finish at different times removing the stress of 'clocking in and out'. They invite to work and social events to keep them in touch.

They keep in touch with parents and enable them to understand what is happening in the workplace during their leave should they wish. They have flexible working to allow parents to start and finish at different times removing the stress of 'clocking in and out'. They invite to work and social events to keep them in touch.

View profile
No items found.

Whitehall Resources

They have recently implemented various practices to improve the wellbeing of their staff. They hosted a 'Dogs at Work' day, which resulted in employees being in a happier and more relaxed while at work. It created a fun, but calming atmosphere which resulted in very positive feedback from their employees.

All new starters at the company go through a four week induction process called ‘Boot Camp'. This has been developed over time to include the most relevant and critical information in order to get new staff members to a level where they can join their team with enough knowledge to get started.

They have recently implemented various practices to improve the wellbeing of their staff. They hosted a 'Dogs at Work' day, which resulted in employees being in a happier and more relaxed while at work. It created a fun, but calming atmosphere which resulted in very positive feedback from their employees.

View profile
No items found.

Utility Point Limited

To further motivate teams, Utility Point Limited offer employees with performance related pay, profit related pay, a share option scheme and more.

Leaders walk regularly around the office and chat with existing staff and introduce themselves to new starters and welcome them.

To further motivate teams, Utility Point Limited offer employees with performance related pay, profit related pay, a share option scheme and more.

View profile
No items found.

Travel Counsellors

Each year, the company pays for colleagues to relax and unwind at a Christmas party and summer festival. They pay for these events in full so that colleagues can enjoy themselves. They build an award ceremony into the Christmas celebrations, ensuring colleagues are recognised for the hard work they've done over the last 12 months.

Each year, the company pays for colleagues to relax and unwind at a Christmas party and summer festival. They pay for these events in full so that colleagues can enjoy themselves. They build an award ceremony into the Christmas celebrations, ensuring colleagues are recognised for the hard work they've done over the last 12 months.

Travel Counsellors keep its colleagues updated through daily TV broadcasts from an in-house studio, allowing the management team to regularly bring their vision, mission and values to life.


View profile
No items found.

Ticketer

Ticketer offer employees a £500 bonus when they refer a candidate for a role at Ticketer. This is paid to the employee once the referred employee passes their 3 month probationary period.

The CEO visits each office location regularly, and makes time to spend chatting amongst the teams. They also make it a personal mission to send birthday wishes to every employee on their birthdays.

The CEO visits each office location regularly, and makes time to spend chatting amongst the teams. They also make it a personal mission to send birthday wishes to every employee on their birthdays.

View profile
No items found.

The Royal Air Force Club

During a new hire's first month, The Royal Air Force Club have created an executive team 'meet and greet' where all new hires meet the leadership team to help them settle in and get to know those they may not otherwise see.

The Royal Air Force Club endeavour to get their team out and about and provide relevant hospitality related experiences, whether it be visiting a local gin distillery for the bar team, a local street food festival or an industry focused social media conference. They feel this is the sort of learning that will make an impact and one the team will remember.

During a new hire's first month, The Royal Air Force Club have created an executive team 'meet and greet' where all new hires meet the leadership team to help them settle in and get to know those they may not otherwise see.

View profile
No items found.

The Rossendale Trust

The Rossendale Trust work hard to create the right culture where employees feel valued and important and confident enough to speak up if anything is troubling them.

The Rossendale Trust work hard to create the right culture where employees feel valued and important and confident enough to speak up if anything is troubling them.

The Rossendale Trust have a structured induction process for new staff, and a comprehensive annual training calendar of statutory, regulatory and 'best practice' programmes.

View profile
No items found.

The Oak Investment Partnership Ltd

Partners are rewarded for the success of the organisation over the course of the year through the Partnership profit share. The profit share is done as a percentage of salary paid out in November, to all Partners who have been working for the Partnership for at least 1 year.


The Partnership aims to have a beneficial influence on the local community and wider society in which they operate. Last year they finalised their charitable framework which centres around the goal to raise £1m over the next decade through a mixture of Partner volunteering, fundraising and charitable giving.

The Partnership aims to have a beneficial influence on the local community and wider society in which they operate. Last year they finalised their charitable framework which centres around the goal to raise £1m over the next decade through a mixture of Partner volunteering, fundraising and charitable giving.

View profile
No items found.

The FISER Group

In addition to regular monthly events, The FISER Group has an annual incentive trip which most recently was a long weekend in Portugal for the entire company on an all expense paid basis.

Managers have regular reviews, monthly, quarterly and annually and are offered coaching and mentoring.

In addition to regular monthly events, The FISER Group has an annual incentive trip which most recently was a long weekend in Portugal for the entire company on an all expense paid basis.

View profile
No items found.

The Communications Store

Transparency is key for the leaders, which is why they have an open door policy for everyone to feel comfortable to speak and engage with them, nothing is too big or too small to share.

Each client team get together every Monday to discuss what they have been up to, sharing coverage and what is coming up. They also encourage and facilitate each level across the company to meet up every few months to get to know each other and chat with their peers.


All members of the business participate in summer and winter appraisals. Managers are evaluated on their team's performance, wellbeing, and happiness, new business wins, adherence to budgets, and successful client relationships alongside their overall personal performance and contribution to the company culture.

View profile
No items found.

The Brilliant Club

The Brilliant Club have introduced themed team lunches where people are invited to bring a dish to share. Themes recently have included vegan dishes during Veganuary, national dishes from different countries and a rainbow-themed lunch during LGBTQ+ Pride Month.

In the last year, The Brilliant Club have revised their approach to their Talent and Management Development Programmes. Rather than providing a formal programme designed for a small group of employees, they have developed a range of sessions to cater for the varied level of skill and experience within the management population.

In the last year, The Brilliant Club have revised their approach to their Talent and Management Development Programmes. Rather than providing a formal programme designed for a small group of employees, they have developed a range of sessions to cater for the varied level of skill and experience within the management population.

View profile
No items found.

S&G Response

S&G Response believe in giving back to local charities and focus on children, the elderly and families in living in poverty. Employees are encouraged to collect non-perishable foods which are then donated to a local food bank.

S&G Response have bespoke manager training on basic skills, conducted externally by a training provider Lamont Jones. This includes all people management policies and procedures and soft skills development for bringing out brilliance in their teams.

S&G Response have bespoke manager training on basic skills, conducted externally by a training provider Lamont Jones. This includes all people management policies and procedures and soft skills development for bringing out brilliance in their teams.

View profile
No items found.

RRG Group Limited

RRG offer state of the art training facilities at a dedicated Learning & Development Academy at one of the RRG Centres in Stockport which is available to all employees.

RRG offer state of the art training facilities at a dedicated Learning & Development Academy at one of the RRG Centres in Stockport which is available to all employees.

The leader ensures they make regular site visits, and is visible and open to suggestions from all employees.

View profile
No items found.

Royal Lancaster London

The hotel is deeply committed to training young and disadvantaged people in the hospitality industry, and so partnered with The Clink Charity, a prisoner and young-offender rehabilitation initiative.

The hotel is deeply committed to training young and disadvantaged people in the hospitality industry, and so partnered with The Clink Charity, a prisoner and young-offender rehabilitation initiative.

On their first day, new team member's will have breakfast with their Senior Manager and other new starters to ensure a personalised welcome before they go on their first 'Welcome Day'.

View profile
No items found.

RMP Enterprise

RMP do performance reviews every 4 months for everybody in the business. As part of this, the manager's manager will asses them on their performance as both an employee and as a manager.

The senior management team meets once a month with the sole purpose of discussing how they are performing against values and towards KPIs.

The senior management team meets once a month with the sole purpose of discussing how they are performing against values and towards KPIs.

View profile
No items found.

Peldon Rose

Peldon Rose have introduced a battery recycling programme and recycling bins on every floor of the building. They have all been introduced and led by employees.


Peldon Rose communicate the business purpose and mission through the annual Kick Off event. Kick Off serves as a way to unite the entire business at the beginning of the financial year. This is where the Leadership Team can signpost for the year ahead and celebrate achievements from the year gone.


Peldon Rose communicate the business purpose and mission through the annual Kick Off event. Kick Off serves as a way to unite the entire business at the beginning of the financial year. This is where the Leadership Team can signpost for the year ahead and celebrate achievements from the year gone.


View profile
No items found.

Octopus

The CEO sends a weekly all company email updating on the different areas of the business. They use this platform to discuss successes and challenges faced.

All employees are provided mugs and water bottles as standard when they join to cut down on plastic and paper waste, as well as providing water and teas/coffee and milk to avoid need to purchase beverages outside of work.

The CEO sends a weekly all company email updating on the different areas of the business. They use this platform to discuss successes and challenges faced.

View profile
No items found.

Nockolds Solicitors Ltd

Future staff are given access to the HR system to complete all their paperwork before they join. They can also see who is working in their team and updates are put on their regularly as to things that are happening within the firm.

Future staff are given access to the HR system to complete all their paperwork before they join. They can also see who is working in their team and updates are put on their regularly as to things that are happening within the firm.

Nockolds offer part-time working for all staff regardless of circumstances. They have flexible start and finish times so that staff can arrange their work around their personal commitments.

View profile
No items found.

Understand your organisational health across all eight factors

You’ve explored the Factors - now discover how your organisation can gain deeper insight into what truly drives engagement and workplace culture.

Our approach measures organisational health across eight core areas: My Team, Leadership, My Manager, Personal Growth, My Company, Wellbeing, Fair Deal, and Giving Something Back. Together, they give you a complete view of how your people think, feel, and experience work.

Why measure with Best Companies?

Get clarity across the eight factors that shape organisational health
Use trusted insight developed over 25 years
Identify strengths and uncover opportunities for meaningful improvement


Complete the form and take the first step toward a stronger, more engaged organisation.