Six North East companies have been singled out as being among the best places to work in the UK.
The Best Workplaces awards were created by Great Place to Work and aim to help businesses create high performing workplaces where employees feel valued and trusted. The awards recognise the best super large, large, medium and small workplaces in the UK, and a total of 290 firms of varying sizes make the list as part of the 22 survey.
Newcastle based Home Group, one of the UK’s largest housing associations, placed 5th in the super large category – the fourth year in a row the group, which has over 3,000 staff, has been in the top ten.
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It is the only North East based organisation in the top 30 this year and the highest placed charitable organisation in the UK. It also retains its Laureate status, for being on the list for more than five years in row.
Mark Henderson, chief executive of Home Group, said: “To be in the top ten four years running is one thing. But to improve year-on-year and be placed 5th this year is another altogether. It’s an achievement for which we should all be extremely proud. I certainly am.
“And what makes this accolade all the more special is the fact it comes from our colleagues – not a judging panel, or a polished submission.
“Every year I say that I could not be more proud to work with such amazing people yet every year I find that I am. I’m constantly blown away by the passion and commitment they show to support each other and our customers. It is so motivating.
“We’ll enjoy today’s announcement that’s for sure, but we won’t become complacent – we never do – as there is always room for improvement. We want to keep finding ways to enhance Home Group’s offer, to both new and existing colleagues, by learning from the results and continuing to improve our wonderful organisation.”
Durham based Northumbrian Water, which is the only water and sewerage company to make the list, ranks in the super large category for the second time, ranking 35th.
This announcement comes after the water company’s employee well-being programme ‘Living Well’, was highly commended’ in the Constructing Excellence Awards.
Elouise Leonard-Cross, head of people strategy and experience at Northumbrian Water, said: “Creating an inclusive place to work for every one of our 3,000 employees is really important and with 87 per cent of our people giving us feedback on how they feel working here, this gives us lots of insight so we can continue to make our company a ‘great place to work’.
“This recognition demonstrates the one team approach we see every day across our business, and we are committed to understanding how we can continue to create a healthy workplace and support the needs of our diverse colleagues.
“Being recognised nationally as a top employer alongside other big names like Santander and Admiral, is also a brilliant acknowledgement of the great company we are and that’s all down to the passionate and committed people we have working here.”
Other firms to feature include Citizens Advice Gateshead, which makes the medium-sized company list at 87.
In the Small Businesses list, digital agency Evolved Search in Newcastle was recognised, coming in at number 11, with workers citing the firm’s move to a four-day week for helping their wellbeing.
Fellow Newcastle ecommerce agency Venture Stream also makes the list, at number 27, along with hedgehog lab, also based in Newcastle, featuring at number 66.
