DESPITE THE NAME, it has taken Rush Hair founders Stelios Andrew and Andrew Phouli a long time to get their company into perfect shape. But now the pair, friends since they were teenagers, are obviously doing something right. Employees find them inspiring, giving them an 80% positive score, which puts them in the top 20 in our survey. The firm was created 16 years ago but the first salon in London's West End was a failure. "When you're losing money it tests your friendship and we clearly didn't have enough knowledge in marketing and planning," says creative director Phouli. "The partnership though was brilliant, we believed in each other no matter what so we decided to carry on." Having learnt their lessons, their second salon opened in Wimbledon and took more in its first week than the West End shop took in a month. The original dream was 12 branches, which they achieved in as many years. Today the firm has 60 salons in London and the southeast and has won an impressive total of 10 British Hairdressing Awards. Phouli says the pair's appreciation of each other rubs off on staff. "Your teams look up to you and if your leaders aren't united it will affect everything, especially teamwork," he says. Staff say that Rush recognises their skills and uses them (63%), a score bettered by just eight other companies, and they love working for the business (79%). Claire Aitken joined two years ago, having previously left her job as a human resources director for the Royal Bank of Scotland to retrain as a hairdresser. She initially joined the company with the aim of owning her own franchise and to become a stylist while working at the Covent Garden branch. "During that time, Andy knew about my skills and we agreed that I would set up an human resources team for him," she says. "So now I'm head of HR and I do hair sometimes, but I never lost the passion for HR. I was just in the wrong industry and now I have the best of both worlds working for a company I love." Survey results show that managers motivate staff to give their best every day and are seen as excellent role models (both 72%). Employees also say they help them to fulfil their potential (74%) and talk openly and honestly with them (82%, a score bettered by just six other organisations). Phouli says if staff put in the effort they will gain the rewards. His first assistant now owns six Rush salons and about 40 staff have become partners or own franchises. Salon manager Emma Aaron has been with the firm for 11 years. After taking a break for four years to work in recruitment, she decided to return because Rush had more to offer than just money. "I've worked for companies where the directors didn't even know your name," she says. "But they work with you here one-to-one and they have never let that value go." Employees say they have confidence in senior managers (78%) who truly live the values of the organisation (76%, another top 20 score). However, the firm achieves its highest overall factor score (78%) for Personal Growth, a result bettered by just two other firms. Senior style director Jack Pollard has been with the firm for three years, joining when he was 16. During that time he has won L'OrŽal's London Young Colourist of the Year award. "If you push for progression, the company will help you to make the next step in terms of reaching your goals," he says. "I have meetings with Andy about business and I have Stelios at the end of the phone if I need creative help." Employees say that their jobs are good for their own development and experience gained is valuable for their future (both 86% and both top scores). They say that what is expected of them is made absolutely clear and Rush offers them a positive future (both 82%). rush.co.uk