My Manager
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
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CFG

Managers at CFG Law are supportive, trustworthy and caring. They deliver induction training sessions, explaining the company’s history and key priorities to all new joiners and have clear discussions around core values. They also conduct regular one-to-one meetings to discuss performance and personal training needs.
CFG Law believes in giving back to society. It organises numerous fundraising and awareness events such as the annual bring your dog to work day, charity bike rides and sports days. The organisation also supports local charities like the Spinal Injuries Association and Roadpeace West Midlands group.
CFG Law promotes a team-focused culture. It organises regular team building events like charity bike rides, sports days, golf tournaments and painting classes. These activities foster team spirit, fun and a sense of belonging amongst colleagues.
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Law

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.
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Housing Associations

BM

Everyone at BM has the chance to learn, develop, and progress utilising a combination of virtual, online, classroom and workshop training. The organisation also offers mentoring, individual coaching, and DISC profiling through its decision to invest in an Learning and Development lead qualified in these areas.
BM supports industry, local, national and international charities, including Springboard (helping young, unemployed and disadvantaged people make a career in hospitality, leisure and tourism), White Lodge Centre (supporting disabled people of all ages), Macmillan World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, Sport Relief, Comic Relief and the Kotukula Primary School in the Gambia.
The organisation’s Early Careers Pathways are designed to upskill its teams from junior to senior roles in Front of House, Chef and Barista roles. It also operates 10 modules within its Managers Workshops package sharing best practice and senior manager skills, and managers can enrol in a variety of work-based NVQs from Level 4 onwards.
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Business Services

Barrhead Travel

The bespoke Training Academy offers industry-leading onboarding, personalised development plans, and accredited Modern Apprenticeship programmes. This investment in the next generation provides clear career pathways, fosters a motivated, skilled workforce, and helps reduce turnover and boost retention across the organisation.
Lively team talks feature Saturday morning TikTok dance challenges, which add an energetic twist and encourage bonding. Theme days like Wear It Purple promote fun and support important causes, while quarterly business updates and social events strengthen connections and foster a people-first culture.
Managers participate in a bespoke internal Leadership Programme of six modules over 12 months, developing core skills tailored to the culture. Regular welfare check-ins with employees on long-term sick leave and a visible, approachable leadership style ensure ongoing support and quick resolution of concerns.
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Leisure & Hospitality

ACT Training

Managers at ACT Training are seen as supportive, fostering trust and care among their teams. They undergo extensive training, including the Chris Hughes Management Academy and the ILM Level 5 Certificate, ensuring they have the necessary skills to excel in their roles.
ACT Training believes in giving back to society. Each year, the staff selects charities to support, organising various fundraising events. The company's commitment to community engagement is evident in its partnership with Business in The Community, volunteering at the 'Global Gardens' community project.
ACT Training places high importance on staff wellbeing. The company employs a full-time Staff Wellbeing & Engagement Officer, provides dedicated weekly wellbeing time, and hosts various health-focused initiatives, such as Staff Health Week and funded counselling sessions.
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Education & Training

Birdworld

The company supports its people's development through apprenticeships and CPD training, for example, the keeper team completes CPD with local wildlife charities. Leadership and management skills workshops are also offered, covering topics like communication and behaviour role modelling, with ongoing support from the People & Development team.
Birdworld empowers teams by involving them in daily operations and fostering an environment of direct, two-way discussion during weekly team meetings. This collaborative approach, combined with the "Good Egg Awards" peer recognition scheme, strengthens bonds and ensures that contributions are acknowledged and celebrated.
Birdworld's leaders are a key part of the day-to-day operations, working alongside their teams to support staff, guests and animals. This hands-on approach breaks down barriers, fostering a supportive environment where all team members feel comfortable providing feedback and sharing their views.
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Bumper International

Bumper supports colleague development through the Bumper Levels framework. This system clearly outlines the specific steps required for an individual to progress to the next level, helping them understand their own career path and empowering them to take charge of their professional growth.
The annual three-day retreat brings the Bumper team together in locations like Lisbon or rural France. This event allows colleagues from different departments to reconnect, get outside, and reset, fostering stronger relationships and a more cohesive and collaborative working environment.
Managers are empowered to develop their skills through structured opportunities like LinkedIn Learning courses and comprehensive “Managers How-To” guides. The Bumper Levels framework also helps managers support their teams' growth, ensuring they have the tools to provide meaningful feedback and guide their colleagues' success.
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Financial Services

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.
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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.
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Retail

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.
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Technology

Brewhouse & Kitchen

The Future Leaders Academy and apprenticeships, including the Brewing Apprenticeship, provide structured pathways for advancement, ensuring employees feel challenged and their skills optimised for career growth.
Utilising Yapster, teams can keep up to date and communicate with anyone within the business. Brewhouse & Kitchen use the app to announce employee recognition of "Legends" programme, communicate any new menu items to drum up interest, and any key business change messages.
Brewhouse & Kitchen offer manager apprenticeship schemes, including courses such as Hospitality Manager and Operational Manager. The organisation also has a Leadership Academy, where its leaders of the future are taken through an 8 week programme.
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Leisure & Hospitality

Masentó Group

Weekly ‘Think Bigger’ teams calls with all employees highlight successes and celebrate the journey. Regular socials take place outside of work hours, where the team are invited to attend fun and competitive activities together. There are also two group holiday incentives per year, where the team chose where they would like to go together.
Masentó Group's leadership team are engaged on an 18-month programme of one-to-one coaching and group sessions with an external company. Some of the topics covered are the power of influencing, embracing discomfort, understanding the different personality styles of their teams, clear communication and being accountable.
There are two company holidays per year and a chance for employees to win a luxury spa break for themselves and a guest. At Masentó Group's yearly AGM, it award its 'Top Billers' and 'Living The Values' winners with trophies, champagne, and a chance to win a luxury watch.
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Recruitment

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.
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Food & Drink

Petty Pool

The Trust dedicates two employee days per year for all its staff. These include a hiking challenge and an outdoor waterpark.. Staff can try water sports such as paddle boarding and an inflatable assault course. Anyone who doesn't wish to be adventurous can enjoy a picnic and relax by the water.
The Trust has an emerging leader programme which includes coaching, training, and developing its top talent. Managers also receive mentoring with senior leaders who have an open door policy where managers can get advice or guidance when it's needed. Petty Pool encourages managers to network with other organisations to support best practice.
Petty Pool’s uses rewards and recognition to encourage its employees to start living, demonstrating its values and empowering others to do the same. It hosts yearly awards in four organisation value areas and a couple of fun spontaneous recognition awards with all staff across the organisation.
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Education & Training

Hilltop

During the organisation’s Annual Conference, employees have the opportunity to celebrate everything Hilltop. The Managing Director shares results from the last year and launches the One Page Business Plan, providing insight into where every colleague fits into the plan going forward. Food and drink is provided in a local venue afterwards.
Hilltop has four foundational elements to its manager development: appraisals and coaching from an internal mentor; learner led training; external training, which can be half-day sessions or government funded, longer courses; and a HR led wellbeing programme, that includes regular catch-ups to make sure the manager feels happy and supported.
Hilltop provides its employees the opportunity to grow through Personal Development Plans, internal and online training, and government supported schemes (including IOSHH, HACCP, BFCGS, and ILM). Over 150 external courses have been completed by Hilltop colleagues in the past year, increasing retention, engagement, and facilitating over 20 internal promotions.
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Food & Drink

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.
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Financial Services

The Portfolio Group

The company's managers are developed internally, with a Director mentoring each manager through weekly one-to-ones, providing advice and guidance. Managers are also given the autonomy to lead their own teams, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility for training and development.
The company provides market-leading commission schemes and offers clear, transparent guidelines on targets and expectations. The annual all-expenses-paid incentive trip, such as the recent one to Monaco, is a reward for achieving targets and is open to all employees.
Team spirit is fostered through shared experiences like the company holiday to Monaco and other regular incentives, including sports and charity events. The "wrap up" meetings bring all three offices together, ensuring every team member is connected and aware of company-wide achievements, successes, and promotions.
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Business Services

Parogon Group

New starters take part in Parogon Best Starts which focuses on the initial induction and welcome to the company. This continues on to upskilling workshops around key focus areas that are delivered through the Skills Trainers and Restaurant People Development Partner. Employees looking for manager training can then enrol in the Parogon Academy.
Everyone at all levels of Parogon Group has an open communication approach to each other. Managing Director, Rich Colclough regularly updates the organisation with videos on important business decisions and various activities happening across departments.
Parogon Group’s Leadership Development programme concentrates on how to deal with all elements of the day to day running of the business. It teaches over a full four day programme that has been tailored into a bespoke system covering the four key areas it believes are essential to achieving success: Clarity, Competence, Compliance, and Control.
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Leisure & Hospitality

Lantra

The organisation arranges a variety of wellbeing and social events for all employees throughout the year in order to build relationships between teams. Furthermore, managers have access to their own social budget to arrange events for their teams, in addition to the corporate budget for social events.
The organisation runs a management training programme to help their leaders develop and better support their teams. The programme is modular, focusing on leadership, managing a team, managing performance, communication, and goal setting
Employee salaries are reviewed every 12 months and they are internally and externally benchmarked. High street vouchers are also awarded throughout the year to celebrate employees who show great performance or demonstrate great behaviours.
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Education & Training

HLM Architects

All managers have received mental health training and stress management training, enabling them to recognise the signs of stress and burnout. This additional level of support recognises that managers may require extra support for their teams and guidance on how to manage difficult conversations, while giving employees the opportunity to have confidential and supportive conversations.
The HLM Academy is designed to enhance progression through a variety of channels to suit different learning preferences. All employees are enrolled from day one. The Academy is uses two frameworks. The Skills framework outlines emotional and technical skills needed. The Behaviour framework sets out core behaviours and how colleagues should engage with each other.
The organisation holds social events, quizzes, drawing classes, dinners, desk yoga, netwalking, and inclusive-tea breaks and it has hosted family events including colouring competitions, shed building, and garden design. It has also introduced Walk Out Wednesdays where employees leave their desks and go on a walk together.
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Architect & Surveyor

Hawksmoor

Hawksmoor’s commitment to sustainability and environmental initiatives showcases their dedication to giving back to society. Their efforts, such as becoming a carbon-neutral restaurant group and reducing waste, demonstrate that their motives extend beyond profit.
At Hawksmoor, managers play a crucial role in maintaining a positive work culture. Through specific training programmes, managers learn how to effectively communicate, offer support and care for their team members, ensuring each member feels valued and trusted.
Work-life balance is promoted at Hawksmoor, with management ensuring that employees do not have to hide parts of their personal lives. This approach promotes a healthy balance between work and home life, reducing stress and positively impacting personal health and performance.
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Leisure & Hospitality

Hastings Direct

Hastings Direct offers its employees a range of wellbeing initiatives, including a Colleague Assistance Programme, an in-house therapy app, Smart Health GP services, Menopause cafes, a Hardship Fund, and men’s talking and listening clubs partnering with The Talk Club. It also has 55 Mental Health First Aiders and 75 Wellbeing Champions.
Hastings Direct has different levels of leadership development, including Operational Leadership Excellence (OLE) – a 12–18-month leadership programme that is focused on building skills, knowledge and confidence to better coach customer facing teams. It also offers Leading 4 Growth – a module-based programme aimed at senior leaders and keeping the group aligned to company strategy.
The organisation supports colleagues personal growth whether their choice is to develop in role, progress into other roles in the team, or change ‘career’ within Hastings. It does this by offering employees the opportunity to enrol in professional programmes, apprenticeships, graduate schemes, and internal and external mentoring to on-the-job?training
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Insurance

FourNet

Weekly team calls have proved important in a flexible working environment and staff are also encouraged to use the tech company's instant-messaging and collaboration tools to improve communication and develop a strong team dynamic and identity. The tools are used throughout the business to encourage communication between teams.
FourNet recognises that line managers have a significant impact on the satisfaction, productivity, innovation and wellbeing of staff, so it has set up a management development programme to enhance its leaders' skills that is accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management.
Staff are asked to complete annual e-learning modules on diversity and inclusion to ensure that FourNet's culture is supportive of everyone, regardless of ability or background. Managers attend training on subconscious bias. The company supports Women in Technology initiatives and has increased the percentage of women at all levels within the business.
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Curo

Curo has a menopause support group called ‘The Menopause Café’. Staff meet monthly over coffee to share experiences and provide feedback to the organisation on things that it could do to improve menopause-related accommodations. The group have recently published the Menopause Guidelines to help colleagues and managers to provide guidance on how to manage symptoms.
Curo’s managers are trained through its SHINE leadership programme to engage their managers in key ways to become future leaders within the business. This programme includes interactive sessions from keynote speakers, a series of masterclasses, peer support through action learning sets, seminars providing space for self-reflection, and action planning.
The organisation has adopted a spot salary model; it pays for the size of the role, not the person in it. Each role profile is evaluated by a panel and then external market data of average salaries is applied based on geographical location and sector-specific comparisons.
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Housing Associations

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