Great Place to Work publication announces best workplaces in the UK by sectors. Apax featued on page 9 for Best Workplaces in Charity & Not-for-profit; and on page 11 for Best Workplaces in Healthcare
Best Workplaces ™ Autumn 2025 • Sector Edition
Better balance, bigger wins Investing in tech without eliminating talent Charlie Bigham’s journey from rank 72 to top 20 UK’s Best Workplaces™ (Large)
Revealing the 2025 UK’s Best Workplaces across 11 sectors
Closing the gaps through skills investment
The trust reservoir
1 in 4 of your employees struggle with stress
Better balance, bigger wins Explore how the 2025 UK’s Best Workplaces across multiple sectors are ensuring better work-life balance, flexibility, and psychological health at work
Charlie Bigham’s journey from rank 72 to top 20 UK’s Best Workplaces™ (Large) Proving the power of listening to your people
from delays or rejection in trying to prove their income
Closing the gaps through skills investment
Understanding the sectors with some of the largest skills gaps – and how the Best are building legacy by developing talent
Discover how top-performing organisations in various sectors are keeping their employees empowered and informed in the technological age
You can help
The trust reservoir Revealing the power of trust in the workplace, with insights from the 2025 UK’s Best Workplaces in Retail, Hospitality & Leisure™
The four essentials for fostering employee growth
Join the 1m employers connecting their payroll data and take that pain away for your people
It’s time to take action to build a culture that performs.
Connect in 2–3 hours Free Secure, fast
In 2025, understanding your employee experience is a must-have, proven path to better business performance. This is as true for small companies focused on scale as it is for large multinationals seeking stability within a volatile market; both public and private. When looking at revenue per employee (RPE) within the UK’s Best Workplaces™, for example, you’ll find these top-performing organisations generate an average of 6.25 times more revenue per full-time employee compared to a typical UK company. It’s a financial advantage trending across industries, reinforcing the benefits of high-trust workplaces. Becoming a great place to work for all is better for people, better for business, and therefore better for our world. Especially during a time of global polycrisis and rapid technological disruption, right now is the right time to listen to your people. If not, you already fall behind those who do.
Speak with our expert today: malc.coton@experian.com (07747) 018405 Reference: Experian Work Report t e
Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director Great Place To Work UK
DATA & INSIGHTS Abigail Animwa, Eduard Berndt, James Bufton, Mounica Madhavabhatla, Sara Silvonen EDITORIAL TEAM Beth Taylor, Shalagh Fredericks DESIGN Lydia Collins PUBLISHED BY Great Place To Work® – the global authority on workplace culture
PRINTED BY Walstead Peterborough DISTRIBUTION Redactive Media Group PUBLISHED September 2025 CONTACT 0870 608 8780 | uk_info@greatplacetowork.com | greatplacetowork.co.uk
© Experian 2025. All rights reserved. ED26–202
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BETTER BALANCE, BIGGER WINS
BETTER BALANCE, BIGGER WINS
to plan to stay at their organisation “for a long time”, and 5x more likely to be advocates of their employer, proving that psychological health is a key driver of employee retention. By prioritising psychological health, organisations not only create a more positive and productive environment, they also build a loyal workforce that champions the company both internally and externally. In a separate five-year review of workplace wellbeing by Johns Hopkins University and Great Place To Work UK, flexibility and hybrid/remote working arrangements remain top of many employees’ minds when choosing to join or remain at a company. This is business impact understood by the Best Workplaces™, who consistently
Over in healthcare, more than a quarter of workers globally say they still experience anxiety, depression, and burnout which they had reported during the Covid pandemic, according to the WHO. Out of 10 industries analysed in the European Workforce Study, healthcare ranked eighth for psychological health in the UK (with transportation and logistics ranking lowest). Only 44% of healthcare employees feel their workplace is “a psychologically and emotionally healthy place to work”. But the data also provides reassurance to business leaders: the same European Workforce Study found that employees who are working for psychologically healthy workplaces, regardless of sector, are 6x more likely
Similarly, a Unite the Union survey found that 7 in 10 (69%) charity and not-for- profit workers are suffering from anxiety linked to excessive working hours, with 70% regularly working up to 50 hours per week, far above the UK average of 37 hours. It’s an experience shared by many employees in education and training, as well as the financial services and insurance sector, where excessive workloads and long hours blur the boundaries between work and life. In a study by the National Education Union, 75% of teachers said they are regularly unable to switch off from work when at home; while the 2025 European Workforce Study found that only 62% of UK employees in financial services and insurance feel they can balance their work and personal life.
Better balance, bigger wins ADVERTISING, MEDIA & MARKETING • CHARITY & NOT-FOR-PROFIT • EDUCATION & TRAINING • FINANCIAL SERVICES & INSURANCE • HEALTHCARE
According to a 2025 European Workforce Study by Great Place To Work, only 54% of employees in the UK feel they are encouraged to balance their work life and personal life – and it’s taken its toll. Restructures and redundancies remain on the rise amidst ongoing market turmoil and rapid technological advances. Employees are dealing with the acute threat of job
insecurity whilst in many cases simultaneously forced to do more with fewer resources. The result: across sectors, workforces grapple with rising stress and emotional fatigue in organisations struggling to support both their employees’ wellbeing and business productivity.
Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) reports that nearly 8 in 10 (78%) adland workers agree their workplace needs to do more to support mental health and wellbeing. This aligns with an earlier study by wellbeing charity NABS, who saw 6 in 10 (64%) respondents admit to considering leaving the industry altogether due to their wellbeing being affected by their work.
Best Workplaces in Education & Training 2025 (in alphabetical order)
Take advertising, where the Institute of
LARGE & SUPER LARGE COMPANIES
SMALL & MEDIUM COMPANIES
C-me EVOLVE Advice Ltd GLP Training Happy Humly Edtech AB IGD Langley School MDS Mental Health First Aid England National Day Nurseries Association Premier Education Group Purple Lion Day Nurseries Sponsors for Educational Opportunity The TEFL Org Whitmore High School Zero Gravity
Acorn Early Years Foundation Blackpool and the Fylde College Borders College Bradford College Bright Horizons Family Solutions Grandir UK Kids Planet Day Nurseries N Family Club
Outcomes First Group Oxford International
SCAN FOR ALL SECTOR LISTS
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BETTER BALANCE, BIGGER WINS
BETTER BALANCE, BIGGER WINS
Best Workplaces in Advertising, Media & Marketing 2025 (in alphabetical order)
SMALL & MEDIUM COMPANIES
Action Rocket Active International Altavia UK Arke Agency Ltd
HB Hearst Networks EMEA Impression Interlink JACK RYAN Kota Design Agency MatchFit More2 Muckle Media Ltd Napier Partnership Ltd NOVOS Nteractive Consulting & Events Oban International Open Partners Outrank Ltd Point 6 Design
The Game Marketer
The Hoffman Agency Europe The Lead Generation Company The Marketing Lounge Partnership Ltd
BBJ&K Ltd Beanstalk Bind Media Cherry Citipost Mail Clarity Clone Day One Strategy Distinctly Ergo Creative Ltd Eulogy Eyeful Presentations Favola Fifth Ring Fishtank Agency Flixmedia Fluro Ltd FMC Genie Goals Genie Ventures GIG Retail Global Bartending Ltd Good Humans Green Field Marketing Solutions
The Marketing Pod
The Value Engineers
Tomorrow
Touch Medical Media
UPP B2B Ltd
place employee wellbeing at the forefront of their culture.
burnout, with 93% of their employees feeling they “can take time off when I feel it’s necessary” compared to the UK average of 61%. And at the Best Workplaces in Healthcare™ , 75% of workers say that their organisation “is a psychologically and emotionally healthy place to work”, compared to 52% at a typical UK company. The Best Workplaces in Education & Training™ recognise that a healthy, supported workforce is key to delivering meaningful and impactful
work, with 78% of colleagues agreeing that “people look forward to coming to work” at their organisation, compared to the UK average of 48%. In a sector often characterised by fast pace, high pressure and long hours, the Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance™ are changing the narrative – putting work-life balance and flexibility at the heart of their culture. 76% of employees in this sector agree they are “encouraged to balance their work life and their personal life” (vs. 54% at a typical UK company).
Verve Marketing London
For example, at the Best Workplaces in Charity & Not-for-Profit™ , leaders work hard to ensure that the ethos of ‘doing good’ does not come at the expense of their people, with 82% of employees at the awarded organisations agreeing they are “encouraged to balance their work life and personal life” (vs. the UK average of 54%). Best Workplaces in Advertising, Media & Marketing™ provide sufficient flexibility and trust, which helps to reduce the risk of chronic stress and
WeDiscover
Wildfire
PubMatic Rationale
Zap Ltd
Real Deals Media Resonant Group Retail Active RT Group SEO Travel SEOMG! Social Something Big Spa Communications SPCK System1 Group
LARGE & SUPER LARGE COMPANIES
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc Circana Havas Lynx Pion Powerforce Field Marketing REL Field Marketing
Trust is huge, and we recognise that at Savers. We want our teams to show that they have high trust. They can be themselves at work, and they can absolutely share ideas and viewpoints. And we will listen and take that into account. And if they’re great viewpoints, which most of them are , then we’ll action them and take them forward.
– Sharon Curness, Head of People at Savers Health & Beauty
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BETTER BALANCE, BIGGER WINS
BETTER BALANCE, BIGGER WINS
“By prioritising psychological health, organisations not only create a more positive and productive environment, they also build a loyal workforce that champions the company both internally and externally.” - Sara Silvonen, Senior Consultant & Wellbeing Lead, Great Place To Work UK
Across Europe, employee and customer satisfaction skyrocket at psychologically healthy organisations
Employee Satisfaction % Agree “ This is a great place to work ”
Best Workplaces in Charity & Not-for-profit 2025 (in alphabetical order)
85 %
16 %
high levels of psychological health
low levels of psychological health
SMALL & MEDIUM COMPANIES
MDS Mental Health First Aid England Mental Health Foundation National Day Nurseries Association N-Compass Police Now Royal Bath & West Society Sharing in Growth Simprints SPCK Sponsors for Educational Opportunity Willow Tree Housing Partnership Ynni Llŷn
Energy Innovation Centre Fraunhofer UK Research Ltd Fuel Bank Foundation Fulham Reach Boat Club Hexagon Housing Association Ltd IEMA IGD In Kind Direct Institute of Directors International Chamber of Shipping Law Society of Scotland Leeds Mind Liverpool Seafarers Centre Local Hospice Lottery LPPI
Apax Aspire Baker Street Quarter Partnership Bolton Lads and Girls Club Brathay Trust Calibre Audio Carolina House Trust Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) Crescent Purchasing Consortium CSA Catapult Cumbria Community Foundation Disability Action Yorkshire
32 %
79 %
Customer Satisfaction % Agree “Customers give us an excellent rating”
UK-based employees working at psychologically healthy organisations are...
term 6x
Scan for more... on the reality of psychological health in European workplaces, key drivers of psychological health in the workplace, and the impact it has on business outcomes.
more likely to want to stay long-
LARGE & SUPER LARGE COMPANIES
Tai Calon Community Housing The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (the Association) YMCA St Paul’s Group
Citizens Advice Gateshead Dimensions Gentoo Home Group Ltd L&Q Nottingham Community Housing Association
Acorn Early Years Foundation Active Luton Active Prospects Alliance Homes Alternative Futures Group Borough Care Ltd bpha Bromford
more likely to be strong advocates 5x
Source: 2025 European Workforce Study (all Europe data)
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BETTER BALANCE, BIGGER WINS
BETTER BALANCE, BIGGER WINS
Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance 2025 (in alphabetical order)
The UK’s Best Workplaces by Sector lead the way in wellbeing
“People are encouraged to balance their work life and their personal life”
“People are encouraged to balance their work life and their personal life”
“I am able to take time off from work when I think it’s necessary”
LARGE & SUPER LARGE COMPANIES
SMALL & MEDIUM COMPANIES
82% 54%
2025 Best Workplaces in Charity & Not-for-Profit™
93% 61%
ABGi AccessPay Agria Pet Insurance Beckett Investment Management Group Ltd Bizcap Bridging Finance Solutions Group Ltd Circle
Admiral Advantis AJ Bell Allianz Partners Allianz UK Assurant Aventum Group Ltd Aviva BHP LLP Blackstone Broadridge Financial Solutions Canaccord Wealth Capital One CDER Group Coventry Building Society De Lage Landen Leasing Ltd Development Bank of Wales Discover
Typical UK Company
2025 Best Workplaces in Advertising, Media & Marketing™
Typical UK Company
“This is a psychologically and emotionally healthy place to work”
“People look forward to coming to work here”
Colmore Partners Ltd Deriv Technologies Ltd Dudley Building Society EquiLend Europe Ltd eToro UK Limited First Bank Nigeria Group Fleet Alliance Ltd H.W. Kaufman Group Homeprotect HomeServe Hope Capital iM Global Partner Judopay La Caisse Love Finance LPPI Lubbock Fine LLP Operis PayItMonthly Ltd Puma Capital Group Rundles Shire Leasing Simpkins Edwards LLP Squaretrade
78% 48%
2025 Best Workplaces in Education & Training™
75% 52%
Typical UK Company
76% 54%
2025 Best Workplaces in Healthcare™
Typical UK Company
Best Workplaces in Healthcare 2025 (in alphabetical order)
Domestic & General Elavon and U.S. Bank Encore Capital Fisher Investments UK Hampshire Trust Bank plc James Cowper Kreston
SMALL & MEDIUM COMPANIES
Apax AtriCure Blackford Analysis
OCL Vision Group Qure.ai Technologies Private Ltd Sebia UK Teladoc Health UK TePe Oral Hygiene Products Ltd URGO MEDICAL Virtue Health Services Ltd
Glassmoon Services Healthier Business Group ILS Case Management Kent Pharma UK Ltd Latus Group LD Collins Leeds Mind Marama Care PVT Ltd medneo Diagnostics UK N-Compass
Carolina House Trust Catalyst Care Group Consultant Connect Divine HomeCare Solution Embark Learning Care Academy / Fairway embecta
Johnston Carmichael Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers Markel MetLife Mobilize Financial Services Monex Polo Works Secure Trust Bank Group
TC Farnell Clarke TH Global Capital Vidett WisdomTree Xledger
LARGE & SUPER LARGE COMPANIES
The Acorn Group Ltd Van Ameyde Group Velonetic WORLDLINE
Colosseum Dental UK Ltd Community Health & Eyecare Consensus Support Services Ltd Eakin Healthcare Fittleworth Medical Ltd HealthHero
National Fostering Group Newmedica Pharmacy2U Siemens Healthineers AG SpaMedica Stryker UK Sysmex UK Ltd
Active Prospects Alternative Futures Group Arjo Borough Care Ltd CliniMed and SecuriCare (Medical) Ltd Coloplast
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INVESTING IN TECH WITHOUT ELIMINATING TALENT
INVESTING IN TECH WITHOUT ELIMINATING TALENT
Yet even in these tough times, the Best Workplaces in Tech™ refuse to compromise on their people-first approach, adapting their upskilling programmes and enlisting employees to help co-create an AI future – with 85% of employees agreeing “people quickly adapt to change at their organisation” and 81% saying they are
“offered training or development to further themselves professionally”, compared to respective averages of 59% and 56% at a typical UK company. And whilst undergoing digital transformation, the Best Workplaces in BioPharma™ recognise that operational resilience must be matched with
The BioIndustry Association projects that the UK life sciences sector will need 70,000 new jobs by 2035, many of which will be tech-enabled – on the one hand, significantly relieving employees from manual workloads; on the other, creating friction between technological ambition and a lack of clarity and workforce readiness.
BIOPHARMA • CONSULTING & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES • TECH
Investing in tech without eliminating talent
Historically defined by a fierce war for talent and generous employee value propositions, many tech organisations are now affected by mass redundancies; at times redirecting budgets to AI and other digital transformation.
But while those workers left behind have the comfort of continued employment, leaner workforces shoulder the additional burdens of increased workloads and responsibilities amid a climate of uncertainty and low morale.
In biopharma, too, AI-driven drug discovery, automated manufacturing, and data-centric clinical trials are steadily reshaping a sector that is simultaneously disrupted by supply chain challenges, talent shortages, and mounting regulatory complexity.
- Cherry O’Sullivan, Global Culture & Engagement Manager at Experian Ltd You find so many organisations that are so target-driven and they kind of miss the point a bit. If you do the right thing for the right reasons, most of the time the money bit will take care of itself. And if you give your people and your friends, your family, the room to make decisions, the room to feel empowered, that they feel that there’s empathy between the two of you, you’ll get the best out of them, always. – Marc Churchouse, CEO of Mercator Digital
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INVESTING IN TECH WITHOUT ELIMINATING TALENT
INVESTING IN TECH WITHOUT ELIMINATING TALENT
Best Workplaces in Consulting & Professional Services 2025 (in alphabetical order)
human-centred job design, giving their people a sense of purpose, and offering employees sufficient development pathways to hold on to their top talent and grow. It’s partly why 7 in 10 employees agree “management involves people in decisions that affect their jobs or work environment ”, compared to only 45% at a typical UK company. Back in the office, consulting and professional services is yet another sector continuously evolving through digital transformation, ever-changing
client demands, growing competition, and shifting workforce expectations, particularly around agile work structures and value-driven cultures. The Best Workplaces in Consulting and Professional Services™ are meeting these challenges by using culture as their EVP, with 86% of employees saying that people at their organisation ”celebrate special events” compared to 55% at a typical UK company; and 74% saying their “work has special meaning: this is not ‘just a job’” vs. the UK average of just 49%.
SMALL & MEDIUM COMPANIES
Performa IT Perkins Coie
Energise Entec Si Euler
&us Accelalpha Accuracy Advice Cloud Akkar Annapurna Recruitment Anthesis Argon & Co BASE life science BFY Group BPA Brand Genetics BTTC Infrastructure Ltd Burnetts Solicitors Burns & McDonnell Business First Partnership Capital Economics CEN Group Holdings Chain IQ Channel 3 Consulting
Peru Consulting Potentia Insight PRACYVA Ltd ProductLife Group Proteus PRS IN VIVO
Fidelity Energy Firstlight Group Flourish Education Fraunhofer UK Research Ltd Freshminds fscom ghSMART Goodwille Ltd Hatmill Heart Relocation Ltd Humatica Huron HURST IEMA Infinity Systems Engineering Ltd Irving Knight ITA Group Janes Justteachers Ltd K2 Corporate Mobility LACE Partners
Reinvigoration Group ResoLex (Holdings) Ltd Richard Nelson LLP Route 101 Ltd S A Partners Scientific Group Service Innovation Group Sharing in Growth Sirio SLC Rail Sullivan & Stanley Supply Desk The DPO Centre The TaxAssist Group Tribal Impact UP3 Services Ltd Walr Watkins & Gunn Solicitors Wright Hassall LLP Xpedition Zifo Technology
Best Workplaces in BioPharma 2025 (in alphabetical order)
LARGE & SUPER LARGE COMPANIES
SMALL & MEDIUM COMPANIES
Alliance Pharmaceuticals Alnylam UK Ltd Aspire Scientific AXON CNX Therapeutics Ltd Consilient Health
AbbVie Alive Dx Biogen Chiesi Ltd Ipsen Mundipharma International Ltd QIAGEN Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc Viatris
Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) Chartwell Consulting Clive Owen LLP Connect Three Consult Search & Selection Ltd Cosegic Cpl UK Cross 8 Ltd Direct Affinity CX Ecology by Design Ltd Elevate
Language is Everything McDermott Will & Schulte McHale and Co Solicitors MCS Group Metric Search MiExact Oaklin PAG Pearn Kandola
Exact Sciences Corp Forte Healthcare Ltd Fox Group International Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd Grünenthal
Insulet MI:RNA MMS Holdings Molecule to Medicine Pharmanovia RiverArk Ltd Santen UK Ltd Silence Therapeutics Plc Spur Therapeutics Zoetis UK
SCAN FOR ALL SECTOR LISTS
LARGE & SUPER LARGE COMPANIES
nGAGE Talent Group PayStream Accounting Services Ltd Pegasus Group PKF Francis Clark ResultsCX
The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (the Association) Thompsons Solicitors TP TTEC (UK) SOLUTIONS Ltd Wavestone ZS
AlphaSights Baringa Bishop Fleming Cura Terrae Dalcour Maclaren Ellisons Flight Centre Travel Group Gleeds LLP Gowling WLG (UK) LLP Leyton
Robert Half Saffery LLP Slalom Synechron Ltd
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INVESTING IN TECH WITHOUT ELIMINATING TALENT
INVESTING IN TECH WITHOUT ELIMINATING TALENT
Best Workplaces in Tech 2025 (in alphabetical order)
The UK’s Best Workplaces by Sector are keeping employees informed and empowered
SMALL & MEDIUM COMPANIES
“Management involves people in decisions that affect their jobs or work environment”
“People here quickly adapt to the changes needed for our organisation’s success”
67% 45%
2i Ltd 360insights 6Sense Addresscloud Advancing Analytics Airwalk Reply Alliants Alternative Airlines Altia Ansarada Group Ltd Apex Systems Arctic Wolf, UK Arreoblue Ltd Ascarii Basis Technologies BlakYaks Box.Com (UK) Ltd BrandWorkz Bright Network Chalkline Solutions Ltd Char.gy Claroty CONDUCTR Conferma Connectivity.CX Ltd Covernet CPS CyberArk UK CyrusOne ECI Software Solutions Elucidat ET Works Evo Agency
PlotBox Proximie Ltd PTC Purple Frog Systems Ltd Qualtrics Rubrik SafetyCulture Serviceware Signable SII Services Ltd Simprints Simpson Associates Smartdesc Ltd
2025 Best Workplaces in BioPharma™
EX3 Forensic Analytics Fortitude Nicsa Global Frequentis Frontier Gather Technology Ltd Glue Reply hedgehog lab HID Highgate IT Solutions Hundred Star Games
Typical UK Company
“My work has special meaning: this is not ‘just a job’”
74% 49%
2025 Best Workplaces in Consulting & Professional Services™
ICE InsureTech IMP Software Incentivesmart Ingentive Ltd
85% 59%
Typical UK Company
SquaredUp StoreFeeder StoryStream Synopsys Techex Ltd Technology Management Ltd Tenable Tencent The Support Group (UK) Ltd Toast Unifrog UpGuard Versantus Vesta Software Group Ltd Vizst Technology Wellington IT Wise Xiatech Zensai Zoocha
Intersoft Intragen
Invisors Karbon Konversational Consulting
Best Workplaces in Tech 2025 (in alphabetical order)
Leighton Lightricks
London Strategy Mercator Digital MetaCompliance
LARGE & SUPER LARGE COMPANIES
Micom mkodo Munio Nolan Business Solutions Nomios UK&I Noventiq Northern Europe Optimove Planful Platinum Group
Acturis Allianz Technology Bazaarvoice Braze Bridewell Bytes Software Services Cadence Capgemini UK Cisco COMPUTACENTER Connexin Cotality CreateFuture CSL Group Datasite Dynatrace Ltd Ensono Ltd
Expedia Group Experian Ltd Firstsource Flexera Genesys Goodlord HiBob
Park Place Technologies Pax8 Phoenix Software Pure Storage
Riskonnect Salesforce Samsara Sopra Steria Ltd Talan TD SYNNEX UK Ltd TSG Ltd UST Verint Systems Verisk Version 1 Virtusa Consulting & Services Ltd Westcon-Comstor Wex World Wide Technology
Insight Direct (UK) Ltd IRIS Software Group Kerv
Klaviyo Kyndryl Lead Forensics Liberty IT Met Office Microlise Ltd Mimecast Natilik NHS Shared Business Services
Great Place To Work was a great tool to help us initially assess our employee experience versus other tech organisations, set stretch targets, and achieve external recognition to boost our stake with candidates externally. Since then, our relationship with Great Place To Work has blossomed strategically – the insights from the survey are truly embedded across the organisation.
Epicor Eque2
- Cherry O’Sullivan, Global Culture & Engagement Manager at Experian Ltd
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Special shoutouts: Here are some companies that shone in their sectors
SMALL
LARGE
MEDIUM
SUPER LARGE
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CASE STUDY: CHARLIE BIGHAM’S
CLOSING THE GAPS THROUGH SKILLS INVESTMENT
Journey From
Rank 72 To Top 20 UK’s Best Workplaces™ (Large)
CONSTRUCTION, ENGINEERING & PROPERTY • MANUFACTURING, PRODUCTION & TRANSPORTATION
Closing the gaps through skills investment
Proving the power of listening to your people
2024-2025 Charlie Bigham’s jumps up a massive 53 places – from rank 72 in 2024, to rank 19 on the 2025 UK’s Best Workplaces List (Large)! It starts with great leadership Leaders at Charlie Bigham’s strive to ensure colleagues consistently feel that management is approachable and shows a sincere interest in them as people, not just employees. They seek to make the company a place where employees agree people can be themselves at work; that special events are celebrated by leaders; and management shows appreciation for hard work and extra effort. In their high-trust environment, colleagues willingly help others, even when it’s not their job to do so; feel
supported by and trust their immediate managers; and go the extra mile for their customers. “We don’t just want people to like working here,” says CEO Patrick Cairns. “We want them to LOVE working here.” Key results In 2024, Charlie Bigham’s saw a remarkable alignment between its thriving workplace culture and financial performance. Several Trust Index survey scores, based on employee feedback, rose by up to 9 points, including employees’ intent to stay. This cultural momentum translated into tangible business results: seeing growth in revenue (climbing by 8.8% to £144.3 million), profit, and EBITDA. The data paints a compelling picture: when people feel valued, supported, and inspired at work, the business thrives.
For close to a decade, Charlie Bigham’s has been on a journey of growth, innovation, and most importantly, trust. Since 2018, the company has partnered with Great Place To Work® to continuously measure and improve its workplace culture, recognising that a great employee experience is the key to prolonged business success – and it shows! 2018 Charlie Bigham’s begins partnering with Great Place To Work to measure and improve its workplace culture. 2021 The company is recognised on the UK’s Best Workplaces™ List for the first time. 2022 Charlie Bigham’s is recognised on three lists in the same year: UK’s Best Workplaces, UK’s Best Workplaces for Wellbeing, and UK’s Best Workplaces for Women. 2023 Alongside recognition on multiple UK’s Best Workplaces Lists, the company sees improvement of 5 percentage points or more on over three-quarters of their Trust Index employee survey statements.
Manufacturing, production and transportation is an essential sector, collectively supporting around 2.6 million jobs across the UK. But ongoing challenges from Brexit, increasing automation, and competition from other countries (such as Taiwan, India and Germany) have all impacted growth – with the CIPD reporting a 27% average employee turnover for
manufacturing and production, and 30% average turnover for transportation. Equally, according to the CITB’s latest Construction Workforce Outlook, UK construction is forecast to grow by just 1.6% in 2025, with a need to recruit 239,300 extra workers over the next five years to meet demand. Moreover, a UK Labour Market Report by KPMG and
REC found that job insecurity and redundancies in engineering have led to candidate availability rising to its highest rate since 2020. Alongside a rising demand for talent, the sector is losing experienced workers to retirement at a faster rate than it can replace them – with 38% of the workforce aged 50 and over, and only 17% under 30, according to the ECITB 2024 Workforce Census.
Scan for the full story... on how Charlie Bigham’s have continuously invested in their employee experience to become a top 20 UK’s Best Workplace ™
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CLOSING THE GAPS THROUGH SKILLS INVESTMENT
CLOSING THE GAPS THROUGH SKILLS INVESTMENT
Keon Homes, one of the 2025 UK’s Best Workplaces in Construction, Engineering & Property (Small & Medium)
Best Workplaces in Manufacturing, Production & Transportation 2025 (in alphabetical order)
SMALL & MEDIUM COMPANIES
ODL Oleon UK Ltd Organix Brands Ltd Osprey Charging Network Perfetti van Melle Powercargo Logistics Ltd PureMalt Products RCP Parking Ltd Ridgeview Wine Estate Savencia Fromage & Dairy UK Ltd Storck UK The Bart Ingredients Co Ltd. The Hershey Company The Ice Co Treasury Wine Estates Trelawny SPT Ltd TT2 Ltd Unox
Hagen Group HALLS Helapet hib. HOLTs Textiles Hydropac Hyundai Motor UK Ltd ICL: Independent Container Line Interface John Mason International Kilwaughter Minerals Ltd Lavazza UK&I Learning Resources Ltd Leman International Transport Ltd Lemon Reinforcement MAM Baby UK Maped Helix Moasure Moose Toys Nationwide Produce PLC Nexteq Nuby
Aerfin Al-Dabbagh Group Auto Marine Cables Axpo UK Belden UK Ltd Bruichladdich Distillery Cambridge Vacuum Engineering CareFlex Ltd Carl Zeiss Vision Cimbali COATS Conquip Engineering Group CoorsTek
Lindt & Sprüngli UK Ltd, one of the 2025 UK’s Best Workplaces in Manufacturing, Production & Transportation (Large & Super Large)
CSW Industrials Duracell UK Ltd Edgewell Personal Care Element Logic Enovation Controls Ltd ETL Systems Ltd Firechief® Global Freudenberg Home and Cleaning Solutions Ltd Gorilla Glue Europe Ltd Green Gourmet Ltd
It’s an imbalance creating instability in workforce planning and increasing pressure on existing staff.
adopted compliance standards that increase efficiency and aid in upskilling with training that aligns with best practice. Stronger loyalty intention enables companies to be better positioned for long-term success. At the Best Workplaces in Manufacturing, Production & Transportation™, an inspiring 8 in 10 employees say that they want to work for their employer “for a long time”. In this sector, where offering hybrid working or 4-day weeks simply isn’t feasible, leaders
concentrate on communication, manager-employee relationships, and embedding L&D into the everyday. This includes practices such as: gamification of development or training; extending an Early Careers Network to anyone entering the workforce or the sector for the first time (as opposed to just graduates); and
Vandersanden VEKA Recycling Western Global Wirquin
To prevent the loss of expert knowledge, many of the Best Workplaces in Construction, Engineering & Property™ have
incentivised mentorship programmes and invested in their apprenticeship programmes – sometimes collaborating with education providers to demonstrate the potential for progressive, fulfilling careers these industries have to offer. They have also
training the trainers, outside of technical skills training, so that
LARGE & SUPER LARGE COMPANIES
managers and leaders have the right ‘soft’ skills necessary for supporting their teams to thrive.
Arthrex AsendiaUK Charlie Bigham’s DHL EMR Fraikin General Mills UK G’s
Kia UK Ltd Kraft-Heinz Lindt & Sprüngli UK Ltd Milford Haven Port Authority NRG Riverside REHAU Ltd Roper Rhodes
Signature Aviation Simpsons Malt Sixt Rent A Car Staci
“The culture is very positive and cohesive. People will go out of their way to help others succeed in their roles. The average length of service is longer than I’ve experienced anywhere else due to the positive working environment.”
Suntory Global Spirits UK The Farnborough Airport Company VEKA plc Warburtons Whyte & Mackay
Rygor Group SC Johnson Seda
Gu Indulgent Foods Ltd International Beverage
- Employee at Warburtons, a UK’s Best Workplace in Manufacturing, Production & Transportation™
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CLOSING THE GAPS THROUGH SKILLS INVESTMENT
Great culture pays dividends
Best Workplaces in Construction, Engineering & Property 2025 (in alphabetical order)
SMALL & MEDIUM COMPANIES
Durkan Ltd ECO Simplified Ltd EDGE Technologies EDRMedeso Energy Innovation Centre Gartec HSPG Kadans Science Partner Keon Homes Landmark Space Ltd Lioncourt Homes
A&S Landscape Attic Self Storage Brimmond Building Transformation Catsurveys Ltd CDM Stravitec Churchill International ClearView Colt Data Centre Service Cooper Moss Rutland Cre8tive Space CSA Catapult Deerns Dolphin Solutions Ltd Dunton Environmental
Muse Places Panasonic Heating and Cooling UK Ltd Peldon Rose Phoenix Energy Group Ltd Scalian Silverfort Stiebel Eltron UK Ltd Stirling Dynamics TSK Group TWO PLUS TWO Vantage Building Control Vector Informatik GmbH Workplace Interiors Company Cheltenham
Research from Alex Edmans, Professor of Finance at London Business School, reveals the financial value of great workplace culture. Edmans created a simulated stock portfolio of UK-based, publicly traded companies from the Best Workplaces™ Lists ; exploring the returns of this ‘Best Workplaces portfolio’ vs. FTSE All-Share Index over a 23-year period, from 2001 to 2023. The results found that if you had started a stock portfolio of the UK’s Best Workplaces™ in 2001, with an investment of just £100, you would have seen more than 4-times the returns of a similar investment in the FTSE All-Share. Unlock the full story in The Culture Dividend report — available for download now.
Logicor Mantle Multiconsult UK Ltd
LARGE & SUPER LARGE COMPANIES
BUUK Infrastructure Carrier H&MV Engineering Hilti L&Q Last Mile Group
Places for People SOCOTEC Sunbelt Rentals UK Survey Solutions Vegner Group
Lomond McCarthy & Stone
Northumbrian Water Group Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult
It really does start at the top with me, and leaders, in terms of role modelling the behaviours, but also just role modelling that culture of kindness and happiness. And without completely oversimplifying it, just try to be relaxed. I try to have a laugh, a smile on my face. I will go and speak to people a lot. And I’ve certainly found that puts people at ease. If people see that the leader seems like things are okay, it kind of just cascades down and people feel comfortable, happy, and can perform at their best. – Mark Dolan, Managing Director of Nuby UK
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THE TRUST RESERVOIR
THE TRUST RESERVOIR
As Seema Shah, Director of Consulting at Great Place To Work UK explains: “Ultimately in any service environment, the way the team is treated backstage will show up in how they engage with customers in the front. Employers often overlook that even small enhancements can significantly boost engagement. One of our clients who investigated their Trust Index™
employees agreeing “management accepts honest mistakes as a part of doing business” (compared to 5 in 10 in a typical UK company). They engage teams early to base back-of-house investments on what their people have asked for, ensuring that even minor upgrades are meaningful. This smarter, more inclusive resource allocation further reinforces a culture where employees feel genuinely valued on par with the care shown to customers.
survey data realised that their stores with the lowest engagement scores also tended to have the highest maintenance costs – a clear signal to leadership that the quality of workplace facilities really does impact how people feel and perform. And it’s just one of many examples that show how having the right data can lead to smarter decisions when it comes to shaping people strategy and culture.”
RETAIL, HOSPITALITY & LEISURE
The trust reservoir
“Employers often overlook that even small enhancements can significantly boost engagement... that the quality of workplace facilities really does impact how people feel and perform.” - Seema Shah, Director of Consulting at Great Place To Work UK
employees are more likely to give their employer the benefit of the doubt when trust has been consistently cultivated over time. The Best Workplaces in Retail, Hospitality & Leisure™ are known for building high levels of trust between leaders and their teams through consistent, meaningful interactions – regardless of the working environment. This includes embracing mistakes in a no-blame culture, with 8 in 10
In a business bank account of goodwill, when leaders behave with integrity, communicate openly, and show care for their people, they make ‘deposits’ into the vault. Conversely, withdrawals occur when leaders break promises, act unfairly, or use every interaction to boost their own image rather than building trust. This is the Trust Reservoir by Robert Levering, Co-Founder of Great Place To Work® , who introduced the concept as a metaphor to describe the
accumulated emotional and relational capital built over time through consistent, respectful, and transparent interactions between leaders and their teams. For Levering, “the constant replenishing of the trust reservoir is the single most distinguishing characteristic of great workplaces.” Especially in times of crisis, leaders with a full reservoir can draw on that goodwill to maintain employee morale and engagement. In turn,
Watches of Switzerland (Large & Super Large) and Absolute Collagen (Small & Medium), two of the 2025 UK’s Best Workplaces in Retail, Hospitality & Leisure
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THE TRUST RESERVOIR
The Value of Great Place To Work Certification™
Best Workplaces in Retail, Hospitality & Leisure 2025 (in alphabetical order)
LARGE & SUPER LARGE COMPANIES
SMALL & MEDIUM COMPANIES
UK 2025
Absolute Collagen All The Best Arrivia Boundless Brusco Food Group BullyBillows Carbase : Vanbase Clays Clownfish Events Ltd Cosy Courtyard by Marriott Oxford South H&H Group IronmongeryDirect Ken Brown Motor Group Liverpool Seafarers Centre Lunn’s the Jewellers Manolo BlahniK Manutan UK Mattel PREM Group
Benefit Cosmetics Bents Garden & Home Bunzl Retail Supplies Clermont Hotel Group Clifton Trade Bathrooms Encore Ethos Farm Findel Gather & Gather Grainger Motor Group Hilton Hugo Boss Jumeirah Laithwaites Marriott International Norton Way Motors Ltd ProCook Savers Health and Beauty Shake Shack UK Specsavers Strand Palace Tapestry TeamSport Indoor Karting The Doyle Collection Titanic Belfast TrustFord Ultimate Products Watches of Switzerland WCF Ltd Webbs Garden Centres Ltd
Our Certification is the most coveted and respected in the world for elevating employer brands to attract and retain the right people. Some of the world’s most well-loved brands have already reaped the benefits of becoming Certified, including: AbbVie, Admiral, Charlie Bigham’s, Experian, Hilton, Kia UK Ltd, NVIDIA, and Yamaha.
Great Place To Work Certified organisations
Typical UK workplace
85% 67%
83% 61%
81% 61%
81% 70%
82% 62%
Principal. Global Events Sandea Wholesale Ltd Sodexo Circles UK The Workplace Depot Trek Bicycle Wongs Jewellers Woodway UK
Retention
Customer Service
Agility
Productivity
Advocacy
Employees are willing to give extra for their work
Employees promote their company to family and friends
Employees plan to work there for a long time
Employees adapt quickly to changes, allowing the company to move fast and innovate
Employees provide excellent customer service
The brands you trust choose Great Place To Work Certification. Why not join them?
SCAN FOR ALL SECTOR LISTS
Clays (Small & Medium), one of the 2025 UK’s Best Workplaces in Retail, Hospitality & Leisure
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Stand out as a Best Workplace™ in your sector Get the premier distinction that helps you attract the best talent, build brand recognition, and secure a competitive advantage as an employer of choice. From start-ups to the world’s largest multinational companies, the UK’s Best Workplaces Sector Lists acknowledge the best in workplace culture across 11 key sectors:
Leadership development from the global authority on workplace culture Support your leaders to deliver excellence at work with our executive coaching and leadership development programmes. Our programmes are tailored to the needs of your organisation, and may include individual or group executive coaching, facilitation, and workshops. This comprehensive approach helps shape your team into the leaders your organisation needs to thrive.
→ Advertising, Media & Marketing → BioPharma → Charity & Not-for-profit → Construction, Engineering & Property → Consulting & Professional Services → Education & Training
→ Financial Services & Insurance → Healthcare → Manufacturing, Production & Transportation → Retail, Hospitality & Leisure → Tech
If your organisation goes above and beyond to create an exceptional employee experience for all, then you could become a 2026 UK’s Best Workplace in your sector.
Are you eligible? Survey your workforce and become Great Place To Work Certified™ by July 17th 2026 to ensure your organisation is eligible for the 2026 UK’s Best Workplaces Sector Lists.
Interested in upskilling your employees? Book in a free consultation with Great Place To Work today.
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Building a place that people love to work in
That’s what we bring to the table
88% colleagues agree that
2 Kitchens : Park Royal & Wells
“Charlie Bigham’s is a great place to work.”
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