NDS WAS FOUNDED 17 years ago to find a secure way of encrypting television signals for a fledgling satellite broadcast operation, which ultimately became BSkyB. Since then its technology has transformed the way people watch television. NDS UK is not only one of the world's leading providers of software systems for set-top boxes, including the electronic programme guide (EPG), which allows viewers to navigate around myriad channels, it is also the name behind Sky+ which is now used in more than 5m British homes. With software that puts the Sky box into standby mode automatically overnight, saving millions of megawatt hours each year, and its work to develop technologies that will allow elderly people to live more independent lives, NDS makes a difference to the world, say employees, returning a 71% positive score in our survey. Staff are excited about where the organisation is going (73%). They feel secure in their jobs (71%) in a growing business, which last year recorded turnover in excess of £318m and pre-tax profits of more than £80m, up from almost £55m the year before. Staff are certainly in no hurry to leave. Almost 60% of the 691 employees have notched up at least five years' service. The Staines-based firm jumps 18 places up the list this year and gets its highest ranking for giving staff a Fair Deal. Employees give a 66% positive score when asked if they are happy with their pay and benefits. Flexible policies enable people approaching retirement to reduce their hours from 37 to 30 a week with no loss of pay, while workers can request up to five days' additional paid leave for trauma suffered as a result of a break-in or other home emergency. There are also two days' leave for charitable work, which NDS encourages (84%). Employees think the firm supports the local community (65%) and don't feel its good works are simply a quest for publicity (64%). These scores lift NDS to 34th place for Giving Something Back. www.nds.com
