Tech start-up Peak specialises in decision intelligence – a new innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) that helps companies use their data to their commercial advantage. Founded in 2014 the Manchester-based firm has built a client list that includes ASOS, boohoo, PepsiCo and AO and raised $43m in investment funding. With a focus on people and culture that separates it from other tech vendors the business has quickly grown to more than 150 employees and gained international footholds – most significantly in India.

Plans to double its staff numbers by the end of this year are likely to be helped by current employees, who often promote job opportunities on their social media pages, tap into their networks or actively target talent themselves. As part of their reward for referring new joiners staff can nominate a charity to receive a £500 donation. Co-founders and senior leaders Richard Potter, David Leitch and Atul Sharma want Peak employees to love being part of their teams and to take ownership in their roles.

The offices in Manchester and India are streamed live all day to each other via a computer window which colleagues can communicate through. In Manchester a refit to the office layout is set to encompass some of the good things about working from home, such as comfortable work areas with both lounder and quieter music. Staff should want rather than need to come into the office, Peak believes, and from now on employees' working lives will be split between their homes and the office.