• Swindon & Wiltshire Awards
• Monday May 13 2024
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Region’s companies feature in Best Places to Work 2024 guide

Companies from across Swindon & Wiltshire, Bristol & Bath, and Berkshire have been featured in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2024, published yesterday (Sunday).

The annual round-up looks at six key factors within an organisation, including reward and recognition, instilling pride, information sharing, empowerment, well-being and job satisfaction.

Jim Armitage, business editor of The Times and The Sunday Times, said: “Modern bosses love to trumpet their profit margins, market share or unique selling points – dipping into their management textbooks to find the latest buzzword. The best ones, however, know that the most important metric is the happiness of their staff.

“Happy staff make for happy customers and strong, long-lived businesses. Not only that, but a contented workforce is less likely to leave, creating a recruitment headache in these days of painful skills shortages.”

Among the recipients of the prestigious title were Wiltshire-based Goughs Solicitors, who were one of only two law firms in the South West featured.

Recognition comes following a year of awards and triumphs for the firm, which has offices in Calne, Chippenham, Devizes, Melksham, and Trowbridge.

The firm has been recognised for the last six years consecutively by Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500 for its levels of client care, depth and knowledge of the lawyers and collaboration between the teams.

HR director Victoria Nash said: “The award recognises the internal efforts we go to for our people through the culture we embed.

“We established an engagement committee post-Covid, which consists of four subcommittees; social, ECO, charity and health & well-being.

“These committees become the voice of our people to move the firm forward in a way that they see fit.

“We are also proud to support working parents and encourage everyone to have commitments outside the office by offering the benefits of agile working.

“We are lucky enough to be based in the beautiful Wiltshire countryside and part of our culture sees us encouraging our people to get out and explore for the benefit of their mental health and wellbeing.”

Managing partner Matthew Drew added: “As the firm continues to go from strength to strength and develop, both in size and expertise, it is fantastic to see that our people are on this journey with us.

“Part of the firm’s success comes from its culture and having a five-year strategic plan which always heavily features our people. I am extremely proud of what the team continues to achieve.”

In Bristol, B2B and corporate communications specialists Ambitious have been featured in the small business category.

In the six-step framework, Ambitious scored an ‘excellent’ rating within each of the categories. The firm scored 91 per cent for Confidence in Management, way above the 74 per cent global average. And while 41 per cent of employees globally say there is a high chance of leaving the firm within nine months, at Ambitious the measure was zero.

Founder and director Lis Anderson said: “Ambitious was founded as an agency where culture always matters and where values are more than words on a page.

“This is an achievement that’s been in our sights for a long time, but 2024 was the first year that we’ve entered. To make the grade at our first attempt really backs up everything that we’ve been doing to build our culture.

“Ensuring the team is happy and healthy is so important, particularly when you’re scaling. We don’t want to lose sight of our founding principles and values. Personally, and professionally, I couldn’t be happier! Is it a high bar, yes. But is it a high bar that is worth setting… absolutely.”

Recipients (with citations) included:

Very Big Organisations (2,000+ employees)

Aldermore Group, Reading
Aldermore’s 2,125 workers in Reading can take advantage of the pension and income protection schemes you might expect from a financial services company. But they also appreciate an inclusive culture that incorporates Change 100, which supports disabled talent, and the 10,000 Black Interns scheme. A mentoring programme helps staff from diverse backgrounds.

Big Organisations (250-1,999 employees)

Ericsson, Reading
People have good connections at this Swedish-owned communication company. The 1,416 staff at the Reading-based firm are offered mental health support, webinars on wellbeing topics for everybody at all life stages, plus an online GP and private medical insurance. There are opportunities to work abroad, an online learning platform, company bonus schemes and a share purchase plan. All employees enjoy 28 days holiday as well as eight bank holidays.

Medium Organisations (50-249 employees)

Cotswold Fayre & Flourish, Reading
The fine food and drink wholesaler, based near Reading, believes successful people want to push their boundaries and gives its 110 staff food for thought with a £200 contribution towards something that challenges their fears and barriers. The company, which also runs a small retail business called Flourish, provides staff with a range of training and development programmes, 16 paid hours to volunteer annually and a share of the profits after six months’ service.

Engage Technical Solutions, Chippenham
Since 2022 this defence and security consultancy in Chippenham, Wiltshire, has been an employee-owned business, allowing its 80 staff to benefit directly from their work. Professional development is a priority, backed by coaching and mentoring programmes. Physical, mental and emotional wellbeing are boosted by gym memberships, wellness seminars and employee assistance and counselling services. Engage has a Defence Employer Recognition Scheme gold award, demonstrating its commitment to supporting the armed forces.

Fourfront Group, Windsor
Work is an immersive, multi-sensory experience at Sketch Studios in Windsor, one of three office design and refit companies that make up Fourfront Group, along with Area and 360 Workplace. The group has 175 staff, B Corporation certification and a commitment to create a sustainable and healthy work environment. Everybody benefits from private medical insurance, unlimited mental health support sessions and treats such as a daily, healthy breakfast.

Go-Pak UK, Bristol
Maintaining team spirit is important to this Bristol wholesaler. The 78-strong workforce benefits from on-site mental health support, a dedicated team focusing on health, welfare, safety and environment, plus training courses, workshops and personalised career plans. Community engagement is encouraged through volunteer work and outreach projects, plus there is free Hump Day chocolate to combat that midweek slump.

Goughs Lawyers, Melksham
The 108 employees of this legal firm in Melksham, Wiltshire, feel heard thanks to partners’ and senior management’s open-door policy. They are encouraged to network and take autonomy for their own business development, supported by a marketing department that is keen to ensure each colleague’s focus suits personal ambition. Generous holiday allowances are among the benefits, along with company-wide quarterly prize draws, private medical insurance, social events and community initiatives.

Parmenion Capital Partners, Bristol
Investment is a key word at this Bristol business. Working in financial services, it pays attention not just to generating wealth for its customers but also to the development of its 231 staff, both personally and professionally. Parmenion focuses on mental health awareness, with reflexology and group talking sessions, while a competitive edge is nurtured on the pool table and with Lego building challenges.

Viper Innovations, Bristol
In recent years Bristol engineering consultant Viper has been focused on developing its workforce of 77. Flexible working policies recognise the importance of work-life balance, while employees’ special efforts are rewarded. Colleagues are offered personality testing to support working relationships with managers and many employees volunteer at Viper’s 34-acre woodland. Benefits include medical insurance, performance-based bonuses, free yoga sessions and an electric car scheme.

Bristol-based B2B and corporate communications specialists Ambitious

Small Organisations (10-49 employees)

Ambitious, Bristol
A Bristol PR marketing and communications agency which has high hopes for its 21 employees, investing a minimum of £2,000 per person on coaching and training to support professional growth. Staff can lead projects from charity initiatives to sustainability efforts or diversity programmes in work time. A 3pm Friday finish from June to August, a £150 allowance for non-work activities and paid volunteering days aid work/life balance.

BCMS, Newbury
A welcome box of treats, lunch out and a dedicated “go-to person” get starters off on the right foot and help them settle in at BCMS, a Newbury-based business intermediary and financial advisory firm. Apprenticeships, career coaching, weekly talks and networking groups develop the 28-strong team professionally at this employee-owned operation, which specialises in advising privately owned businesses on company sale transactions. Volunteer days give staff the chance to do good deeds in work time.

Cadbury Health Pharmacy, Bristol
This firm from Bristol believes that satisfied staff make for satisfied customers. No problem is too big and no detail too small for the 17-strong team, who also appreciate a coffee machine supplying drinks on tap and a leave-early policy at Christmas. Most staff are working on a training course and other benefits include regular team events, 30 per cent discount, pizza days and a profit-share bonus.

Cybercrowd, Newbury
Managers play a key role in employee development at this Newbury-based cybersecurity specialist, sharing knowledge and supporting staff on their professional journey. Founded in 2016, CyberCrowd (which also has an office in Aberdeen) offers apprenticeships, internships and graduate roles and has created openings for those looking to make a career change. Flexible work schedules enable the 26 employees to strike a happy work-life balance.

Little Red Rooster, Reading
A PR and communications agency which hosts monthly lunches, regular team socials and awaydays abroad to foster strong bonds among its 23 employees. The Reading company runs a “buddy” system that pairs team members of all levels for general day-to-day support and career guidance. Many of the team began their careers as interns, including marketing manager Isabelle King, who has been with the firm for a decade.

Nine Feet Tall, Bath
Dedicated team days in the office, off-site company days every two months and regular socials ensure employees at this management consultancy feel connected to each other and to the business. The Bath-based firm, which offers its 46 staff learning and development days and a dedicated mentor, likes to grow its own consultants. Perks include season tickets at Bath Rugby, a profit-share bonus twice a year, and sabbaticals.

Taxi Studio, Bristol
This Bristol independent design agency is proud of its 49 people, empowering each to play to their strengths. The company has a successful mentor scheme and in-house coach, offers colleagues paid volunteering days and runs a culture club to boost team connection. A wellbeing and specialist menopause programme supports colleagues, while the company operates flexible hours and early finishes on Fridays. There is private health care, a life assurance scheme and a two-hour lunch on Mondays.