CLEVER PEOPLE ARE divided into two categories at PHD Group: those whose intelligence makes others feel less so and those who bring out the best in people. Only the latter are hired by the London-based media and communications agency, which was founded in 1990. It makes for a close-knit organisation where colleagues care for each other (an 86% positive score, 10th on our list). Chief executive officer Daren Rubins is known for his light touch and willingness to roll up his sleeves with his team of 315 staff. The young workforce — almost three-quarters under 34 — have faith in his leadership skills (82%) and find plenty of ways to have fun (87%). The agency understands the importance of maintaining a healthy work/life balance. The entire team enjoys 27 days of holiday a year and people can buy an additional five days off. A media planner-buyer makes an average of £46,000 a year. Free breakfast gets everyone together in the mornings and helps a good cause at the same time. For every basket of fruit consumed by hungry employees, the company donates a fruit tree to a project in Africa — and so far more than 2,200 have been planted. The business also supports Changing Faces, a charity that helps people with a disfigurement, as well as Macmillan Cancer Support and the British Heart Foundation. Employees believe this organisation is run on sound moral principles (83%) and they say that they feel proud to work for it (86%). www.phdmedia.com