One of only a few truly successful high technology start ups, ARM is listed in the FTSE 100 with annual revenues of £100m and annual growth of 50%. The firm designs microchips for 80% of the mobile phones used in the UK. The company maintained this impressive growth despite a downturn in the market last year. This success has been shared with staff, a handful of who have become millionaires through the stock options they have received. Although the firm designs chips, it makes its money by licensing other companies to make them. It has 76% of the global market. Everyone benefits from the firm's growth with 1% owned by executives and 2% by non-executives. One employee said, you get the sense that everyone is so excited about what the company is doing, it is addictive. The firm has offices in Cambridge, Maidenhead, Sheffield and Blackburn. Benefits are good. Men outnumber women by more than six to one but by 10 to one at executive levels. Working is 100% flexible and 95% say they are trusted to do a good job without managers looking over their shoulders. Staff can buy or sell a week of holiday for 5% of salary and there are 20 days paid sabbatical after four years' service. There is a fitness centre used by a third of staff at the head office in Cambridge, casual dress and a relaxed celebratory culture. About four in five employees think ARM is a fun and welcoming place to work. Successful teams are rewarded with champagne and applause at meetings, often held at a karaoke venue or pub. Management do not have secretaries and are always accessible.
