Officially a Very Good
Company to Work For
Officially a Very Good
Company to Work For
Officially an Outstanding
Company to Work For
Officially an Outstanding
Company to Work For
Officially a World Class
Company to Work For
Officially a World Class
Company to Work For
Officially a Good
Company to Work For
Officially a Good
Company to Work For
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“Every day, we encourage, motivate, and support each other to maintain a friendly positive atmosphere where everyone feels valued and cared for,” says Chess, one of the UK's leading independent and trusted technology service providers. The business won The Best Company to Work For award in 2018, when executive chairman David Pollock was named Best Leader for the second year running. It employs 300 people and supports over 20,000 organisations.
Born in 1993 as a utilities reseller, the firm started focusing on telecoms after deregulation. It now covers software design; development and support; partner and mobile sales; hosted and cloud solutions; and – most recently – cyber-security.
Chess, based in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, maintained six offices across the UK but post-pandemic the plan is to choose one site as a head office and to set up local hubs. The company will then work with each employee to put in place a plan that meets their requirements and those of their team.
Aware that people risked becoming isolated and disengaged during a year of lockdowns, Chess has hosted virtual social events such as Future Fit, which focused on physical and mental health; and online pub clubs and bingo, which enjoyed high levels of participation. A Chat Lounge Teams page is extensively used for informal socialising.
Managers hold monthly Q&A sessions and Chess appointed Cultural Ambassadors across all areas of the business to help solve any issues. Feedback goes straight up to the CEO, who holds monthly lunches, with people invited by rota to put any concerns to him personally.
I love working for this organisation
Prior to lockdown, inductions took place at the Chess head office. This has now moved online, with a buddy scheme to support new joiners. There are Employee and Customer Passion Hero of The Month awards, and annual recognitions such as Employee of the Year. All praise is published company-wide for everyone to see.
This job is good for my own personal growth
Chess needs highly skilled managers to drive performance in a post-pandemic market and has chosen to look to apprenticeships to fulfil this need. In 2021, 10 managers are undertaking a Level 5 Management Apprenticeship course and the scheme has been received with great enthusiasm.
This organisation has a strong social conscience
Chess donated 60 laptops to schoolchildren in Warrington via the Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, and gave office and kitchen equipment to homeless charities in Manchester and Cheshire. It kitted out a charity's new call centre, plus raised £5,000 for East Cheshire Hospice via a Teams steps challenge.
Companies where at least 40% of the staff have worked there for more than five years.
Companies offering private health insurance to all employees.
Companies where Profit Related Pay is available to all employees.
Mark Lightfoot, CEO - Chess
If you like what you see and are interested in exploring any opportunities, please visit the organisation's careers page for more information.
