A blue icon with 2 employees in agreement.
My Manager
A blue icon with 2 employees in agreement.
My Manager

People Managers Matter

7 in 10 employees leave because of their manager - not the company. Strong manager relationships boost engagement, reduce turnover and drive growth
Get a quote
Best Companies' 8-Factor Engagement Model, focusing on My Manager.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Andersen James Group

Managers host monthly presentations to spotlight team wins, showcase strong work, and share strategic updates, keeping teams informed and connected to the wider business. The current leadership team is also undergoing a 12-month coaching programme with Amy Williams to build core competencies for high-performing, ethical leadership.
The company’s community-led ethos is demonstrated by the National Three Peaks Challenge, where a team raised £5,020 for The Christie Charity. Furthermore, AJ gave time off to its People and Operations Manager to run creative arts workshops at a local homeless shelter, showcasing its commitment to social impact.
Regular activities like Escape Rooms and Friday Office Drinks spark collaboration and problem-solving, while fostering a consistent space to unwind. Team-building efforts, such as Run Clubs and Padel Tournaments, offer healthy outlets for bonding, and seasonal Sports Days and BBQs bring the whole company together.
View Profile
Recruitment

HCRG Care Group

The Care Think Do training outlines expectations for managers to promote company values and principles. In addition, policies for one-to-one's and supervision are in place, which are monitored to provide ongoing support and guidance, empowering managers to lead effectively.
HCRG Care Group provides extensive support through its Employee Assistance Programme. This initiative includes a wide range of services such as mental health support, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for various issues including menopause, and difficult conversation coaching to help colleagues navigate challenging situations.
The organisation brings colleagues together through formal and informal events. The Striving for Better networks share best practices, while face-to-face events like the annual Difference Awards and virtual Town Hall events provide opportunities for teams to connect and celebrate together.
View Profile
Health & Social Care

Cinnamon Care Collection

Managers are highly trained in listening skills and in spotting and managing problems. They are encouraged to coach and mentor their successors, and the company offers a 360-degree feedback programme for leaders, all of which contribute to creating a supportive environment where team members feel comfortable asking for help.
In addition to a competitive 3.5% pay rise for care team members, the company’s career structure is a significant part of its reward strategy. It also offers the 'Spice of Life' benefits programme, which supports employee wellbeing, purchases, health, and pensions, ensuring a fair and rewarding employment experience.
Teams are encouraged to engage in physical activities together, such as walking for charity. The ‘Celebrating Cultures’ initiative promotes an inclusive environment where teams and residents embrace different cultures. The 'Sprinkle of Cinnamon' project also unites team members to make residents’ wishes come true, fostering a sense of shared purpose and camaraderie.
View Profile
Health & Social Care

Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists

Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists offers several development courses throughout the year, open to all employees. Its internal programme is aimed at creating world-class practice managers signifying the organisation’s commitment to fostering a culture of growth and development.
With regular Team Member Roadshows fostering collaboration and team spirit, Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists ensures that fun and a sense of belonging are integral to the work environment. The values awards further recognise and encourage team efforts.
At Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists, managers are equipped with the tools they need to support their teams effectively. The internal programme 'Greatness Starts with You' underscores the importance of supportive, trusting, and caring management in creating a world-class practice.
View Profile
Retail

The HBP Group

The HBP Group has a unique approach towards career progression. It creates tailored development plans for each employee, catering to their unique aspirations and skills, thereby ensuring personal growth and job satisfaction.
The HBP Group champions team spirit and camaraderie through its Team Engagement Budget. This allows teams to participate in activities outside of work, strengthening their bond and sense of belonging.
The company promotes a supportive management culture. Managers have regular one-to-one sessions with their line managers from the leadership team, discussing their wellbeing, performance, and team developments.
View Profile
Business Services

Ocean Holidays Limited

The organisation conducts monthly company meetings for all employees. Each session delivers clear information about the current business status and plans and forecasts for the months ahead. Ocean Holidays also hosts guest speaker events to educate and share knowledge, and its annual Summer and Christmas parties, both of which are fully funded for all employees.
Ocean Holidays supports Haven House Children’s Hospice and raised over £100,000 for the charity. It regularly organises fundraising events, including sponsored walks, quiz nights, fancy dress competitions, and its annual Rudy's ramble.
Ocean Holidays partners with EveryMind at Work, who run webinars on all forms of mental health and help managers to support their teams. The organisation also has trained Mental Health Champions who play a proactive role within the company and are able to sign post individuals to the get the support they need.
View Profile
Leisure & Hospitality

Broadland Housing Association

A budget is set aside each year to offer teams the chance to get together for something fun and encourage and support the team work ethic. Some examples are crazy golf, and coffee and cake. The organisation also holds a biannual event to ensure that all field based employees have an opportunity to get together.
The business provides secondment opportunities for current employees to become Managers/Team Leaders or side step into a different area of the business which often leads to that individual doing the role on a permanent basis. It has ensured that new managers within the organisation have access to CIH training and other training they may need.
Broadland Housing Association are part of a campaign called Independent East where it has teamed up with other Housing Associations to provide learning and awareness sessions on a range of subjects designed to develop employees by giving them awareness of certain situations that tenants or colleagues could be facing.
View Profile
Housing Associations

Vantage Consulting

New starters undergo a structured six-week Training Academy utilising a New Hire Tracker to build strong foundational recruitment skills. Ongoing career development is supported by the NextGen Network alongside targeted apprenticeships. These initiatives directly drive internal progression, enabling employees to rise from entry-level roles into senior international leadership positions.
Teams build strong connections through themed sales days, competitive challenges and regular Friday gatherings to vote for the weekly Player's Player. This collaborative atmosphere encourages shared experiences, leading many employees to spend time together outside work participating in social activities like padel, golf and gym sessions.
Managers undergo comprehensive development covering performance management, employee engagement and accountability. Supported by direct one-to-one coaching from senior leaders and university-led programmes, leaders successfully reinforce business goals. This practical, on-the-job training builds managerial confidence and ensures capability when conducting structured performance reviews and guiding team growth.
View Profile
No items found.

Stori

Employees expand their capabilities through Mandatory and Core training schemes alongside enhanced training options that promote career development and sectoral specialisation. By offering professional ILM qualifications, the organisation systematically elevates internal skillsets, directly helping the workforce adapt to future challenges and specialised sector demands.
Bespoke engagement events run by local teams foster strong internal connections, which are further supported by seasonal online quizzes featuring voucher prizes. Regular lunch and learn events and all staff meetings keep colleagues connected, facilitating open knowledge sharing and collaborative peer support across different locations.
Managers build consistent leadership capability by completing a core set of courses covering essential supervisory skills, investigation skills, leadership principles and handling grievances. This structured training ensures that team leaders are fully equipped to guide their staff, resolve issues effectively and support career development.
View Profile
No items found.

Synergy Car Leasing

Managers build strong alignment by conducting structured quarterly one-to-ones while maintaining an open-door policy for clear feedback. To reinforce leadership capability, all people managers complete a two-day People Management training programme, backed by internal coaching from their own line managers to help guide their teams.
Teams collaborate closely through daily morning meetings on Teams to share market updates. Employees actively share knowledge via phone and email, and peer-to-peer nominations allow colleagues to publicly recognise those who go above and beyond, rewarding them with a lucky dip voucher or biscuits.
Synergy Car Leasing provides an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) supporting mental and overall Wellbeing. Staff are encouraged to take lunch breaks, with the business offering flexible time for those utilizing the gym next door or going on walks to complete workouts, alongside providing a full day off for birthdays.
View Profile
No items found.

Zest

Zest allocates a dedicated training budget and holds monthly meetings to assess learning priorities. A new Learning Management System enhances access to materials and a comprehensive skills and development project aims to map clear career pathways for those wishing to advance within the organisation.
The company provides a fair deal through performance-related pay increases throughout the year. Additionally, a yearly bonus is awarded based on both company performance and personal performance, directly linking individual contributions to overall organisational success.
Managers at Zest are supported with a comprehensive Manager Toolkit, offering guidance on recruitment and performance management. This is complemented by proactive conversations with the People Team, along with ongoing training and development opportunities to help them confidently navigate their responsibilities and grow in their roles.
View Profile
Utilities

Kiddie Capers Childcare

Kiddie Capers Childcare is committed to employee growth. The company actively supports and funds staff qualifications, helping them to expand their knowledge and skills. Many team members have progressed from practitioner roles to management, demonstrating the company's dedication to career development.
Kiddie Capers promotes a culture of teamwork and camaraderie. The company's ‘fun fund’ allows teams to choose and enjoy activities together, fostering a sense of belonging and unity within the group.
At Kiddie Capers, managers are supportive and caring, providing employees with the necessary assistance and guidance. They appreciate the hard work of their team, as evidenced by the monthly Amazon vouchers awarded for full attendance.
View Profile
Education & Training

Aquavista

Aquavista’s social committee ensures that there is a regular schedule of events throughout the year to look forward to. Leaders and managers are further encouraged to schedule regular team meetings with some of those focusing on team building exercises.
Aquavista provides managers with a combination of face-to-face and online learning covering both practical skills around the employee lifecycle as well as understanding behaviours and the links between behaviour and performance. The focus is on getting the best from your team as a Manager.
Every year, Aquavista chooses a charity to support. This year is Young Lives for Cancer. The organisation hosts numerous events throughout the year to raise funds, including a walking challenge and its summer market.
View Profile
Leisure & Hospitality

ElectraLink

ElectraLink offers performance based pay increases and performance bonuses which are divided into three tiers. Tier One is for every employee and is based on company profit, paying out up to 100% if targets are beaten. Tier Two is team based targets for joint goals, and Tier Three is individual targets.
In 2023, ElectraLink introduced its Leadership Academy which is mandatory for anyone with line management responsibilities. It covers topics such as fair and inclusive recruitment, leadership styles, engaging your team, emotional intelligence, metrics, performance management, managing through change and building, and sustaining successful and high performing teams.
The organisation strongly believes in the importance of developing its people. On an annual basis, everyone sits down with their manager to have a development conversation and produce Personal Development Plans. Those identified as future talent can also access additional funds and ElectraLink is currently supporting three employees through their MBA.
View Profile
Technology

Noble Foods

The Good Vibe Tribe at Noble Foods is a group of colleagues that champion the organisation’s wellbeing agenda and deliver initiatives across a calendar of events. These events include webinars on subjects such as managing stress and anxiety, and training managers to highlight mental health awareness.
The Noble Leaders Group have a specific Aspire pathway which covers management and leadership, time management and presentation skills and is delivered through formal programs, coaching and action learning sets. Elements of the NLG pathway are then delivered to wider management groups.
The organisation’s Aspire programme provides development opportunities for all. Through its talent and succession process, Noble Foods seek to highlight future talent and unsure development plans are in place to nurture this. The company also runs a number apprenticeship programmes.
View Profile
Food & Drink

The Recruitment Group

The Group is deeply invested in providing personal growth and development opportunities to its management teams, offering a Level 3 apprenticeship programme in management and leadership and a comprehensive six-week training programme for branch managers. These initiatives provide opportunities for skill enhancement and career progression.
The Group has an Employee Assistant Programme which all colleagues have access to. Employees can access counselling services 24/7 and a wide range of self-help plans from debt management to improving sleep. The organisation also has a number of Mental Health First Aiders across its branch network that provide further support.
The Recruitment Group foster team spirit through pulse meetings for branch managers, regionals and head of departments every 3 months. Weekly teams meetings with branch managers and regional managers, and the sales team help provide organisational clarity, and yearly awards evenings with dinner and accommodation provided celebrate the employees who have live the Group’s values.
View Profile
Recruitment

Computeam

Team incentive budgets, which managers can use on team activities, rewards and recognition continues to encourage staff to maintain their positive work attitude and customer service. The organisation also regularly takes part in team challenges and charity fundraising across all its offices to bring teams together and encourage cross-team communication.
The organisation has launched an Employee Assistance Programme service which has a dedicated management support function that is available 24/7 for guidance and support on all employee wellbeing matters including managers own mental health and how to support a team member with mental health concerns.
The organisation host annual summer and end of year parties and adopt a culture of praise by recognising people in its monthly Compunews which encourages people to nominate colleagues for values and performance. It also has a Profitshare Scheme, meaning that employees benefit from overall company performance and are awarded additional shares based on tenure.
View Profile
Technology

The Utility Regulator

During the past year, the organisation promoted a new Kingsbridge Health plan to staff and also worked with Benenden Healthcare to provide information to staff who might benefit from monthly membership. It further supports it employees through Mental Health First Aiders, Inspire EAP, and training on Neurodiversity.
Utility Regulator have held a number of fundraising events throughout the year for a staff nominated charity. Employees have donated money, items, and volunteered their time. The organisation is also an active member of Business in the Community NI, helping to support various charitable activities.
Utility Regulator has introduced a leadership development programme to reinforce need for collective leadership and the importance of basic management functions, and to improve communication on corporate issues, increase awareness of governance requirements, promote cross directorate ways of working and support learning and development.
View Profile
Utilities

The Manufacturing Technology Centre

The Manufacturing Technology Centre offers ample opportunities for personal growth. Initiatives like the 'Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre' and the 'National Centre for Additive Manufacturing' allow employees to develop and utilise their skills in a challenging and innovative environment.
The 'Celebrate Success - Team Building initiative' at The Manufacturing Technology Centre encourages team spirit and a sense of belonging. It allows teams to recognise and celebrate their achievements, enhancing camaraderie and fun within the team.
Managers at The Manufacturing Technology Centre ensure a supportive and caring environment for their team. Regular 'State of the Nation' events hosted by the Exec team provide transparency about the company's progress, strategic changes, and financial performance, fostering trust between managers and their teams.
View Profile
Education & Training

The Cumberland

The Cumberland’s 'Power Hours' programme provides regular opportunities for personal growth, equipping managers with new skills and knowledge. This initiative encourages ongoing learning and skill utilisation, fostering advancement opportunities within the organisation.
The Cumberland fosters team spirit and a sense of belonging through regular social events such as the annual Christmas party, quiz nights, walks, and shopping trips. These initiatives help cultivate a fun and inclusive work environment.
The Cumberland’s Straight Talk for People Managers ensures that managers are well-informed, enabling them to confidently lead their teams. This initiative promotes trust, support, and care, strengthening the bond between managers and their teams.
View Profile
Financial Services

Abbeyfield Living Society

All employees of The Abbeyfield Society have access to a range of wellbeing initiatives. These include an e-voucher scheme, a generous pay review and enhanced benefits, an Employee Assistance Programme, and financial fitness advice.
All leaders participate in the society’s Leadership Excellence Programme accredited by The Institute of Leadership and Management (TILM) and endorsed by Skills for Care. The programme includes 24/7 access to the TILM My Leadership platform and a variety of learning initiatives to support continuous professional development. This includes workshops, blended learning and 121 coaching.
To support employee growth, the society provides access to an LMS containing multiple high-quality online learning courses, and career pathways. The organisation also offers apprenticeships and a leadership development programme.
View Profile
No items found.

SMS

SMS offers a number of different forms of leave depending on an employee’s circumstance including compassionate leave, fertility treatment, miscarriage, bereavement, and other unfortunate or unforeseen circumstances. Paid time for dependents - emergency cover, unpaid. It has 2023 increased our paternity leave package to two weeks of full pay.

It has also recently introduced a bespoke management development programme (MDP) - which has been designed to ensure its managers and team leaders have the core skills and competencies needed to perform their jobs successfully. The programme consists of a number of managerial, coaching, and developmental modules.

SMS has continued to ensure engagement with its people. Organisational clarity has come from the CEO, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief People Officer having regular contact with employees via short video updates, e-mails, texts, pulse surveys, and five employee resource groups. The organisation’s mission, vision, and purpose were communicated via annual performance and development reviews.

View Profile
Utilities

SAUL Trustee Company

SAUL Trustee Company fosters a deep sense of pride in its team, with a strategic goal centred around employee engagement. Its efforts to create a family-like atmosphere where everyone is valued, contributes to a sense of belonging and the feeling of making a difference.
SAUL Trustee Company prioritises employee wellbeing with mental health first aiders, an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) helpline, flexible working arrangements, and lunchtime workouts. This approach helps balance work and personal life, reducing stress and enhancing performance.
Managers at SAUL Trustee Company play an integral role in supporting employees. They actively participate in social initiatives, hold regular coaching conversations, and check-in with their teams regularly. This approach fosters a feeling of being cared for and trusted within the company.
View Profile
Financial Services

NCC

NCC's commitment to personal growth is evident in initiatives like the Composites Conversion course. This programme provides non-composites engineers with intensive training, offering a unique opportunity to expand their skill set and grow professionally.
NCC's participation in the SusWind project demonstrates its commitment to giving back to society. This initiative aims to discover and demonstrate viable ways to recycle composite wind turbine blades, reflecting the organisation's dedication to environmental sustainability.
NCC's values the role of managers in employee development. This is demonstrated through its provision of mentoring and coaching programmes, which help ensure that employees feel supported, trusted and valued by their immediate supervisors.
View Profile
Not For Profit Body's

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.

Solutions
Measure
Improve
Elevate
Plans
Consultancy
Get a Quote
Recognition
Accreditation
Best Companies Lists
Big Reveal
Client Stories
Company
About Us
Insight Hub
Careers
Contact Us
© 2026 Best Companies Limited
Privacy NoticeApplications Privacy NoticeCookie PolicyTrust Centre