Staff at i-level are so happy and motivated that they actually look forward to going to work. "The day is always a pleasure, with the people and culture that i-level promotes making it so enjoyable," says account manager Malcolm Devoy. The digital marketing communications firm continues to grow. It now employs 69 people and recorded pre-tax profits of nearly £1.2m last year. Monthly staff meetings, which are followed by pizza and drinks and team nights out, cement good working relationships — staff say people in their team care a lot about each other, giving them a 91% positive score and 87% for the strong sense of family in their team. The firm was founded in 1999 by Andrew Walmsley and Charlie Dobres, who inspire the workforce; the 81% score here ranks 37th. Annual bonuses and a social events budget of £47,000 adds to the feelgood factor, even though the 57% score for feeling exhausted at the end of the day ranks the company 87th. Staff get two weeks' paternity leave on full pay, a share option scheme and private healthcare for them and their families.
