Do your staff love where they work? Do you know why?

As more companies are competing for staff , we ask how they can better attract and keep staff, and celebrate some of the region’s best companies to work for. 

What does your company offer staff that others don’t? Funky offices? Hybrid working? Health insurance? Duvet days? Paid opportunities for community work or is it simply a good salary and pension that employees are demanding?

Most of us will spend around a third of our lives at work, so if you are lucky enough to enjoy job satisfaction and the recognition of your employer, then you’re likely to be happier and healthier in other areas of your life.

The employment landscape took a battering during the pandemic. While the government’s furlough scheme saved thousands of careers, with Covid (hopefully) now largely behind us, it’s easy to forget how worried we all were about our jobs.

The upshot of all this appears to be a new phenomenon: the great resignation. When the world began to open up, many workers decided that they no longer had to accept a return to the previous status quo. Some quit their jobs, others refuse to return to work full-time.

Last year research from the Chartered Institute for Professional Development (CIPD) revealed that more than 6.5 million people in the UK expected to quit their jobs in the next 12 months, with those reporting the poorest job quality the most likely to have itchy feet. While most, worried by rising living costs, want better pay and benefits, many are also looking for increased job satisfaction and better work-life balance.

Are companies responding? At the annual January corporate beanfeast that is Davos, it was reported that many companies want their staff back in the office. Work from home is so last year. It’s back to the office, they say, because productivity is tanking.

Research by LinkedIn revealed that improving employee retention and supporting career development are among global leaders’ top five business priorities over the next six months. If that’s the case, surely bosses will have to accept compromise on how and where their valued staff are prepared to work?

The LinkedIn research revealed that helping employees transform their careers as their interests shift – instead of keeping people in rigid pathways – will make it easier to keep talent. Research shows the positive impact of helping people explore new roles: employees who have moved around internally have a 64 per cent chance of staying with the organisation after three years; the percentage lowers to 45 per cent for those who haven’t moved. Providing flexible career paths creates a workforce that is more adaptable to the changing external environment as well, Linkedin says.

For 2023 we went hunting for businesses which are really investing in their staff...

If you want to keep valuable staff , offer them retraining or upskilling, says the boss of recruitment agency Pertemps

Good pay and generous perks used to be the two key things that a company could o er to get the best talent.

That’s still true to a certain extent, but there’s much more to it to keep the skilled people your company has recruited (often at some expense), and ensure they are happy to stay as the business grows and adapts to the changing business landscape.

For that, a company needs to be well managed, offer professional development, engage employees in more than just the nine to five, and provide retraining opportunities because the world of work is changing faster than most of us realise.

Carmen Watson is chair of one of the UK’s best-known recruitment agencies, Pertemps Network Group. She has worked in the recruitment industry for almost all her career and has experience and perspective on the issue.

“By around 2030 almost half of the workforce is going to have to be reskilled in some way,” she said. “Many industry sectors are increasingly adopting digital technology and there has been a huge rise in demand for people with skills in programming, data analytics and machine learning.

“There is also a big increase in companies asking for people with skills in the “green” sector, but many can’t yet properly define what they really mean by that.

“At Pertemps, on average we have around 31,000 people per month approach us for work, and it’s becoming increasingly evident that there is a skills mismatch which needs to be addressed if we are to meet the demands of the future.

“So it is important that recruiters like us work with companies, and both further and higher education centres to ensure a pipeline of talent is available with the skillsets we need.

Employers need to prioritise retraining and upskilling employees.

“Retraining and upskilling existing employees should be a priority for employers to aid attraction and retention,” she added.

“Employers must demonstrate their understanding and appreciation of employees. What is your company doing to nurture, engage, develop, promote? There is a lot of untapped talent out there. Companies can show their commitment on their website, including case studies of people who have progressed through the business, their approach to equality, diversity and inclusion and what training opportunities they offer.

“Employers need to show total transparency so potential employees can see how they might fi t into a business and what they can expect,” she added.

Carmen warns that the UK’s productivity (which is already an issue), will fall further if we can’t get the skills problem sorted.

There are, though, a number of initiatives currently in play which are addressing what support and coaching can be offered to people who are in career transition.

“These are led by the Institute for Employment Studies and for those about to enter the jobs market, or return to it after a period of inactivity. There are also sector-based work academies,” said Carmen.

“These initiatives will help fill a gap which has been there for a long time. Then the government needs to keep banging the drum about the way the world of work is changing, encouraging people to skill up. Smaller businesses in particular often don’t have the time or resource to skill up their staff or identify what skills they will need in the future and need the help of government.”

For Carmen, it’s about pulling these strands together. “Currently, if a company makes more than 20 people redundant, it must register that with the government. Let’s flip that around and consider a central government database where businesses can update if they are looking to recruit more than 15 to 20 employees. That will give us a better perspective on what skills are in short supply, where there are clusters of opportunity.”

Once the government has that data, Carmen argues, we, collectively, can better plan training needs to ensure that the graduates who emerge from education three to four years from now have the right skillsets for the modern world.

ProCook officially named one of the UK’s Best Workplaces for Wellbeing

ProCook is the UK’s leading specialist kitchenware brand. It sells high quality tableware and kitchen accessories, through its website and 57 UK stores.

Last October the company, which has its headquarters in Gloucestershire, became an accredited B Corp following external recognition of its progressive business operations which included carbon mapping and reduction, Living Wage accreditation and a substantial reduction in plastic product packaging.

ProCook’s Gloucestershire base has a lot to offer its employees. From IT to warehouse to marketing, staff can learn about the full range of roles within the business and there is the opportunity to move within departments with transferable opportunities. The company says this policy makes it an attractive employer.

ProCook has also had success with those who began as interns or who did work experience with the company being accepted for permanent roles.

The company also identified a need to make it easier for people to join and become more adaptable as an employer. Last year it achieved Disability Confident status (Level 2) and has been working with the GEM project in Gloucester which awarded it a Gloucestershire Inclusive Employer Award in 2022.

Over the last six years The Going the Extra Mile (GEM) Project has been helping people overcome challenges to employment and moving them closer towards or into work, including self-employment.

As a result of working with the GEM project, ProCook has been able to offer a wide spectrum of opportunities to people in Gloucestershire who are looking to explore different career paths.

The company’s 2023 plan has a big focus on colleague development. It has continued to develop its training and learning framework which included rolling out a new retail management programme.

For the second year running ProCook was certified by Great Place to Work and was officially named one of the UK’s Best Workplaces for Wellbeing.

Family business creates lifelong career opportunities

Family-owned and run construction company EG Carter & Co Ltd, has a proud record of young employee recruitment, with a view to creating lifelong career opportunities within their business.

Each year it recruits craft apprentices and management technicians, giving them a first class grounding in construction. To support their academic studies, site-based experiences are provided with each trainee mentored by a long-standing and experienced company employee.

It is always the intention of the company to provide permanent employment once that initial training has been completed. In this way, EG Carter & Co can develop the construction practitioners of the future and develop employees with an understanding of the principles, values and ethos the business believes in.

The company is now approaching its 80th year of trading and this approach to training and employment has helped it offer a consistent and professional approach to all clients.

Joshua Carter leads on all young person recruitment and maintains an interest in each individual’s progression and development within the company. “

Halfords launches major recruitment drive

Last year, Halfords launched a recruitment drive for its autocentres business to meet rapidly increasing demand for vehicle servicing, MOTs, maintenance and repairs.

The Redditch-headquartered motoring specialist, which is creating 1,000 new automotive technician roles over the next 12 months, is prioritising attracting retirees back into the workforce and is also challenging itself to increase the number of women in automotive technician roles.

Halfords is the UK’s largest provider of motoring services with more than 600 garages and nearly 700 vans.

Graham Stapleton, Halfords CEO, says he wants to use the opportunity created by a boom in demand to rewire the company’s workforce.

“We have a big focus on people who left the workforce in recent years but are now starting to return in these tough economic times,” he said. “We want to give people the best possible route to return to work. Becoming a qualified automotive technician can be an incredibly satisfying second career.”

Halfords is developing what it calls its Retirement Plan to make returning to work attractive. The plan includes greater flexibility, including part-time working, and – in what is believed to be an industry first – opportunities for older people to complete apprenticeships. The company is establishing a training academy which is capable of turning novices into qualified technicians.

Loungers has always done things differently.

Loungers is an operator of café/bar/restaurants across three distinct but complementary brands: Lounge Café Bars, Cosy Club and Brightside - it’s new roadside cafe concept (the first one opened earlier this year on the A38 in Kennford, south of Exeter). It currently has more than 210 sites across England and Wales, and plans to continue expanding at a rate of around 30 new sites per year, creating around 1,000 new jobs annually.

It’s attitude that matters at Loungers. It takes on those with no past experience, but who demonstrate the attitude and behaviours that it believes will make them successful, and customers happy, while also providing career opportunities.

Business & Innovation Magazine showcase 100 Great Places To Work 2023 - In Association with Pertemps

Gloucestershire

Barnwood Trust – Cheltenham - Working to help change conditions for disabled people and people with mental health challenges in Gloucestershire, aims to act as an agent of social change

Accredited as a Best Company to Work for

Baylis Group - Cheltenham - One of the UK’s largest independently managed Vauxhall dealerships

Accredited as a Best Company to Work for

BorgWarner – Stonehouse - Designs and manufactures systems that supply original equipment to nearly every major automotive OEM

Accredited as a Best Company to Work for

Cheltenham Borough Homes - Cheltenham - Arm’s Length Management Organisation (ALMO) responsible for the management and maintenance of Cheltenham Borough Council’s housing stock, housing and homeless service.

Accredited as a Best Company to Work for

Clarkson Evans - Cheltenham - The UK's largest new home electrical contractor

Invests heavily in apprenticeships, training apprentices in-house, and employs staff directly rather than using sub-contractors

Creed Foodservice - Cheltenham – One of the UK’s leading independent family-owned foodservice wholesalers

Accredited as a Best Company to Work for, a Living Wage employer, an "outstanding company" in Best Companies

Dowty - Gloucester - Part of GE Aerospace. makes 1,200 propeller blades a year, most for military transport

Gaizka Bilbao, Dowty Gloucester Site Leader, said: “I began in the technical engineering, moving into Six Sigma process improvement, then into operations. GE offers incredible training opportunities and I have been able to take advantage of them.”

EG Carter & Co - Gloucester - Construction company

Says it has one of the highest employee retention rates in the UK construction industry with many employees exceeding 25 years of loyal service. Its apprentice and management trainee schemes have been fundamental in producing the company’s future tradespeople and managers.

GCHQ - Cheltenham - Government Communications Headquarters 

Sir Jeremy Fleming, GCHQ Director, said: "The people at GCHQ come from diverse backgrounds and bring their unique skills, but all share a passion to make a difference for their country."

GE Aerospace – Cheltenham - One of the largest GE Aerospace sites outside the USA and a major contributor to the local economy

Regularly works with local secondary schools and supports Women in Engineering. Offers internships, apprenticeships, mentoring and staff development to help employees achieve their potential.

Gloucester City Homes - Gloucester - Independent housing association providing affordable homes and supporting communities

Accredited as a Best Company to Work for. Also retains a diversity champion award and has a 'two tick' award for its support for disabled employees

Green Gourmet - Stroud - Food manufacturing and innovation company for food service and retail sectors

Certified as a Great Place to Work

Hercules Site Services – Cirencester - Supplies labour to construction companies running major projects across the UK.

Hercules CEO Brusk Korkmaz, said: “Young people often go into construction because a relative works perhaps as a plasterer or a bricklayer, and they know they can earn good money straight away. But they can be in the same job, earning the same money 10 years later because they haven’t upskilled. We show these young people there’s a career path, such as from bricklayer to machine operator to works manager.”

Infosec - Cheltenham - Cyber and technology consultancy

Incentives, perks, and benefits are chosen by the employees. Recently added unlimited holiday and duvet days as benefits. Activities such as spa days, axe-throwing, go-karting are offered as incentives for every quarter, all suggestions from the team

Kohler Mira - Cheltenham (and Worcester) - The company created the world’s first thermostatic shower valve. It has three main brands: Mira Showers, Kohler UK and Rada – the commercial division providing water control valves for healthcare, education, sport, leisure and commercial

The company’s website says: "At Kohler Mira you are encouraged to defi ne your own career path and then drive it. With three UK leading brands there is never a shortage of opportunities to grow, evolve and succeed."

Mears Group - Gloucester - One of the UK’s leading housing solutions providers to the public and private sector

Accredited as a Best Company to Work for. Champions social mobility, an Investor in People and in the top nine per cent of the UK's most socially responsible businesses in the FTSE4Good index

Neonplay - Cirencester - Games developer

Everyone in the team, from the most junior to the most senior, can come up with their own game idea in regular team hackathons, which could then become the next big hit. In fact, some of biggest hits have come from hackathons, including a student on work experience from the University of Gloucestershire, who created Roller Splat, which went on to get more than 65 million downloads from a game he prototyped in a day. It was the most downloaded app in the world for weeks

Ontic - Cheltenham - A leading original equipment manufacturer for established, certified aircraft parts for more than 45 years

Accredited as a Best Company to Work for. It offers roles to support diverse skill sets in a number of career paths to suit an individual's goals

Prima Dental Manufacturing - Gloucester - Manufacturer of precision dental products

“In a time like we are now, Prima has been outstanding. It’s nice to have an amazing team which give constant support” said an employee

ProCook – Gloucester - Brand was started more than 20 years ago and was the first company to sell cookware sets by direct mail in the UK. Launched on London Stock Exchange in November 2021

Certified as a Great Place to Work. A Living Wage employer and a certified B Corp

Renishaw - Wotton-under-Edge - World-leading manufacturer of measuring systems and production systems

Staff member said: "Whichever part of Renishaw you work in, you’re involved. We all make a difference.” Another staff member said: "When we hold each other to account, we value the commitments we make to each other, and we keep ourselves collectively on track.”

SLG Brands - Cheltenham - International beauty brand company

Staff member said: "Working at SLG you are at the forefront of innovation and creativity. You really feel part of a work family. Everyone is passionate and enthusiastic about what we do which makes it a great place to be.”

Spirax Sarco – Cheltenham - One of the leading manufacturers and providers of steam and thermal energy solutions

Staff member said: "I wanted to work for a business that is local but also global. This gives me exposure to new industries and technologies, working in the fi eld at customer sites. It is a really great business to work for, with a family feel to it – yet at the cutting edge of engineering."

Thinkproject - Gloucester - Established in Germany more than 20 years ago, expanded into the UK. Now a leading software and service provider for construction and engineering projects

Voted one of the UK's top workplaces in tech last year

Oxfordshire

Abbott - Witney - Global medical device company. Witney is Abbott's UK Centre for innovation in its diabetes care products

Its "Hands Up" team at Witney, a team of employee volunteers, run various initiatives, including wellbeing, sustainability, Women in STEM, schools engagement, Women Leaders of Abbott employee network, and charity fundraising

Brainomix - Oxford - Spin-out from the University of Oxford. Its AI imaging platform has been adopted across multiple healthcare systems worldwide.

Michalis Papadakis, Brainomix co-founder said: “We have a clear purpose and value that everyone can subscribe to. It’s about giving ownership, having clear empowerment. Being part of an innovative company and having trust in your team.”

ConMed – Shrivenham - Medical technology company

Accredited as a Best Company to Work for. "Committed to hiring and retaining employees from all different backgrounds, religions, ethnicities, and experiences.”

DCS Europe - Banbury - Family-owned business, supplying health, beauty and household brands

Staff member said: "I have been fortunate to work alongside some great managers and peers who allowed me to lead and develop myself and teams of outstanding individuals."

Evotec - Abingdon - Life sciences company which delivers on its mission to discover and develop highly effective therapeutics and make them available to patients.

Adam Stoten, Site Head for Evotec’s Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin Campus in Abingdon, said: “We have tried to ensure at Evotec that as we have grown there is a collective sense of ownership and understanding of what goes on across the company.”

Grundon - Oxford - Waste management company specialsing in environmentally friendly disposal

Actively encourages personal and professional development. Strong leadership and direction is core to the business, with innovation and initiative actively encouraged

Hampers.com - Abingdon - Fills hampers with food, drink and lifestyle products from selected producers

Accredited as a Best Company to Work for. Team works flexibly between homes and HQ. Everyone receives Bupa private healthcare, along with an extra day offer birthdays and one "duvet day" per year.

Hawkins Group - Banbury - Construction group made up of four divisions

Mike Hawkins, CEO, said: "Hawkins is successful purely because of the people we employ, many of whom are better qualified and more experienced than me.”

Isansys Lifecare – Abingdon - Developed an advanced patient monitoring system.

Keith Errey, Founder, said: "Whatever stage your company is at, your skilled people need to be challenged intellectually."

Nominet - Oxford - Runs the UK’s internet infrastructure – developing an expertise in the Domain Name System (DNS) that underpins sophisticated threat monitoring, detection, prevention, and analytics used by governments to mitigate cyber threats.

Accredited as a Best Company to Work for. Its GiveHub Initiative enables employees to apply for a grant of up to £1,000 for an organisation they are closely connected with, and matches funds raised by employees for charitable causes up to the £1,000 each month.

Oxford PharmaGenesis - Oxford - Independent healthscience consultancy providing communications services to the healthcare industry, professional societies and patient groups

Certified as a Great Place to Work. Sta member said: "I joined Oxford PharmaGenesis in February 2021 and doing so remotely went better than I could ever have thought. There was regular communication and I received a wonderful welcome pack that made me feel like part of the company even before I started."

Owen Mumford – Woodstock - Medical device manufacturer

Through its B Corp status, the company has pledged to prioritise people over profit. The company also has a dedicated learning and development department for all colleagues

Oxford Products – Witney - Designs and sells products and accessories for motorcycles and bicycle riders

Last year Oxford Products saw some staff struggling with the cost of living and gave everyone £150 extra a month, which lasted all year. This was on top of a head office bonus scheme offered to everyone – from warehouse staff to those in the offices – when sales rise

Purdicom - Wantage - Technology company and value-added distributor

Gold Investors in People accolade. Has an "outstanding record of employee satisfaction"

Siemens Healthineers – Eynsham - "World leader in the design and manufacture of superconducting magnets for MRI body scanners"

Certified as a Great Place to Work and also ranked as one of the UK's Best Workplaces for Wellbeing

Torchbox - Charlbury, Oxford - Employee-owned communications agency

Accredited as a Best Company to Work for. Only works with organisations that are socially progressive and environmentally sustainable.

University of Oxford - Oxford - Ranked first in the world in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings for 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022

The university said: "Personal and professional development is key to enabling individuals to reach their full potential and maximise their contribution to the University.”

VoCoVo - Chipping Norton - Retail telecommunications service provider

Accredited as a Best Company to Work for. Fast-growing business "where there’s time for coffee as well as serious discussion. We want our company to thrive, but also want help each other grow professionally"

Yasa Motors - Oxford - Motor manufacturer

Promises to invest in employees at every stage of their career

Bristol & South Gloucestershire

Aardman Animations - Bristol - Animation and production company

Staff member said: "I like that most of the time it just feels like I’m having fun and making a project with friends, who are all learning and growing just the same as I am."

BAE Systems - Bristol - Aerospace manufacturer with a major manufacturing site in Bristol

By 2030 BAE Systems wants women to make up at least 50 per cent of its Executive Committee and 30 per cent of the workforce. The company is also set to hire more than 2,600 new apprentices and graduates in 2023. This is a 43 per cent increase on this year’s early careers intake. While most roles will be in the north of England, 67 will be at sites at Yeovil, Filton and Christchurch, 30 of which will be in digital intelligence at Gloucester

Boston Tea Party - Bristol - Coffee shops

"We believe fiercely that hospitality is a proper job. So whether you're with us for a year or a lifetime, we'll look after you’,’ the company says

Bristol Airport – Bristol - Regional airport

Accredited as a Best Company to Work for. Partners with City of Bristol College and Weston College to provide apprenticeships in Motor Transport and Engineering departments at the airport

Consumer Intelligence - Bristol - Insurance price benchmarking and source for consumer insights

Accredited as a Best Company to Work for. An “output-only" environment means there is a flexible approach to working hours. Staff are in charge of their work-life balance and workload

Domo Group - Bristol - Cloud-based operating systems

Domo offers a budget for everyone to expand their learning outside the office. Over the years its teams have travelled to Helsinki, Amsterdam, San Diego and Brighton for conferences and courses

FocalPoint - Bristol - Developing new technologies that improve the performance of any mobile device

The company says it empowers people to make decisions and grow professionally. "We want to change the world for the better"

Ghyston - Bristol - Software developer

Accredited as a Best Company to Work for. Ghyston trains most of its developers from scratch. Its in-house recruitment and training process means it develops its talent. Instead of testing for experience and knowledge, it looks for the raw ability to problem solve, learn and engage

Graphcore - Bristol - Advanced AI systems

"Graphcore hires people at the top of their fi eld or just starting out and welcomes those with different backgrounds and experiences," says the company

Huboo - Bristol - Logistics and fulfilment company

All staff are shareholders. "We are passionate about nurturing our talent and look to ensure that all colleagues are given equal opportunities to build their career in the business," the company says

Hydrock - Bristol - Integrated design, engineering and sustainability consultancy

Accredited as a Best Company to Work for. Offers a £200 annual healthy-living bonus to staff to support an activity they enjoy; every team takes a day to support a local charity; each office has a wellbeing champion encouraging team activities and all staff join an annual challenge day at Hydrock's headquarters in Bristol

Immersive Labs - Bristol - Tests, measures and improves human cyber capabilities

Voted one of the UK's top workplaces in tech last year, and also one of the best places for women to work in Great Places to Work

Loungers - Bristol - Casual dining restaurants

"Our managers know that a happy team makes for a happy lounge. We ensure you get solid training so you never feel out of your depth, a meal for each shift worked, and there’s plenty of incentives, bonuses and trips abroad," says the company

Moneyhub - Bristol - Data and payments company

Won Best Employer at the 2022 UK FinTech Awards. Staff member said: "The openness to ideas, discussions and opinions really stands out to me at Moneyhub. Even after a short while everyone I have spoken to has been very open to my ideas and input, and vice-versa everyone is willing to share theirs.”

NCC (The National Composites Centre) - South Gloucestershire - Composite materials research and development

"We are passionate about providing our employees with an environment, where they can thrive in their chosen career. Whether you join our graduate scheme or as an engineer with more than 20 years of experience, you'll be working with some of the brightest minds on solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing industry and the uptake of composite materials."

Pax8 UK - Bristol - Distribution channel for cloud IT service providers

Accredited as a Best Company to Work for. Last year it partnered with external wellbeing training provider, Sanctus, to offer coaching, plus access to round-the-clock counselling services and the opportunity to reclaim part of the costs of wellbeing-enhancing memberships, such as the National Trust and gyms

Redrock Consulting - Bristol - Enables business change and improves the long-term digital health of organisations

Accredited as a Best Company to Work for. RedRock has high expectations of its employees, “but they are supported to succeed in an environment where the founders remain hands-on "

Rockpool Digital - Bristol - Digital agency

Certified as a Great Place to Work. The company says: "Working at Rockpool is slightly different than elsewhere. We place our trust in our team to make decisions and manage their own work. You won't have a boss, no one does. You'll manage your own hours. We don't do appraisals, we just talk, like normal people do.”

Rovco - Bristol - Global provider of Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicles and hydrographic services supported by artificial intelligence technology

The company says: "As an organisation, we know that in order to achieve our goals we need to attract, develop and retain only the very best people and encourage their growth through our company."

Triodos Bank UK - Bristol - Sustainable banking Certified as a living wage employer and recognised as an insipring workplace, among other awards.

Staff member said: "I first heard about Triodos while at university. I was very interested in finance being used as a tool for improving our society and the environment. Triodos always lingered at the back of my mind as a place that I’d like to work at one day."

Tumelo - Bristol - Helps investment platforms and pension providers give investors insight into which firms their money is being put into.

Employees can expect flexible working, 33 days holiday, hack innovation days and a generous share scheme

Xledger UK - Bristol - Cloud-based accounting and finance software

Certified Best Workplace for Wellbeing. A staff member said: "We’re all one big family and there’s always a listening ear for anyone who needs to talk. And thanks to the buddy programme Xledger runs, there’s an opportunity for all employees to express how they feel in confidence to a colleague.”

Coventry & Warwickshire

Aeristech - Leamington Spa - SME high-tech engineering company, delivering patent-backed high-speed electric motors and drives for automotive super-charging applications, Hydrogen Fuel Cell Systems, HVAC, Industrial Air and other sectors.

The company said: “Working at a small engineering fi rm means you are always close to the impact of your work. Led by a dynamic team, there is significant investment in training and development and a culture where everyone is treated fairly and with respect."

Aston Martin Lagonda - Gaydon -Automotive manufacturer

Offers apprenticeships and continued education with fully funded qualifications and a career path working with an award-winning product range and alongside expert engineers and technicians.

Codemasters - Leamington Spa - Computer games development

Has an extensive network of universities and is increasing its presence at graduate to recruit more coders. Offers a diverse and inclusive working environment

Coventry Building Society - Coventry - Building Society

Named as a Best Place to Work. A menopause-friendly employer and race at work charter signatory

Deeley Group - Coventry - Development and Construction

Key to Deeley culture is intergrity. There's a non-blame culture in the business. If things go wrong, the team gets stuck in, from director level. Staff member said: "The company looks after its employees and there's a low staff turnover."

Horiba Mira - Nuneaton - Global provider of automotive engineering, research and test services

Employees who develop their skills with Horiba have access to the most advanced engineering and development facilities for energy efficiency and electrification, security product testing and safety systems engineering, self-mobility and autonomous vehicle technology, vehicle resilience, cybersecurity and defence Jaguar Land Rover Gaydon Automotive manufacturer Degree apprentice said: "It is exciting to be involved with the company during such a huge change toward electrification and sustainability. The people I work with are truly passionate about their work and are invested in my growth."

Lontra - Napton - High-tech manufacturing

"Our innovation culture permeates wider than our engineering team and includes excellence from our business development to our project management. This all takes place at our site in Napton, a village in the heart of the Midlands, situating Lontra in the British hub of engineering and manufacturing."

NFU Mutual - Stratford-upon-Avon - Insurance company

Which? "Insurance Brand of the Year". Also listed on Glassdoor's Best Places to Work in 2023. One of only 39 companies across the globe and the only UK headquartered organisation to win this award

Pertemps - Solihull - Recruitment

Investment in development in the last 12 months has been around £1.5 million – roughly £1,000 per employee. Committed to a three-year strategy to increasing staff qualifications/accreditations by 75 per cent

REPL - Henley-in-Arden - Information technology

Named as a Best Place to Work. Also included in the London Stock Exchange’s Top 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain

Rootwave - Kineton - Uses electricity to kill weeds and will help solve global issues: to remove chemical herbicides from our food and the environment to improve the health of society and the ecosystem

Accredited as a Best Company to Work for. RootWave needs innovators, quick thinkers and problem-solvers. It wants to change agriculture for ever and it says every employee’s ideas count

Royal Shakespeare Company - Stratford-upon-Avon - Theatre and creative industries

It's not all about the acting, there are hundreds of different roles at the Royal Shakespeare Company, and lots of opportunities and perks, as well as plenty of job satisfaction. Susie, a men's costumier at the Company, said: "It’s amazing – a thousand people every night look at what you have made.”

Severn Trent Water - Coventry - Water utility company

Plenty of great perks listed on the company's website, including family[1]friendly policies, and various free medical services, including a virtual GP service, legal and debt advice.

Telent - Warwick - Telecomms business

Supports people from early in their careers right through to experienced employees. It actively encourages the recruitment of those leaving the British forces because they admire "their engrained skills and attributes"

The MTC - Coventry - Manufacturing Technology Centre

Accredited as a Best Company to Work for. The MTC encourages young people into careers in engineering where they can develop and embed technologies that will impact British industry for years to come

The Wigley Group - Southam - Real estate investment company

Through its almost-60-year history, The Wigley Group has kept its staff at the heart of its operations, and understands the importance of a happy, motivated and diverse workforce. The Group employs staff of all ages and backgrounds. The Wigley Group offers apprenticeships, placement schemes, graduate schemes, and work experience and when recruiting, values the experience of individuals looking for a change in career or those who may be returning to the workplace after raising children, for example.

Triton Showers - Nuneaton - Shower manufacturer

The company said: "It’s our aim to create some of the best vocational opportunities in our sector alongside providing excellent benefits, work-life balance, and championing flexibility as much as possible within a busy manufacturing environment."

Valpak - Provider of environmental compliance

Staff member said: "I used to be picky about where I worked, but I've been at Valpak for 15 years. It's got everything I want, career progression and it's really a great place to work."

Worcestershire

Bumblehole Foods - Bromsgrove - Leading supplier of egg-based products

A family business which supports and engages regularly with the local community. Won Outstanding Contribution to the Community Award at the 2022 North Worcestershire Business Awards

DRPG - Kidderminster - Creative communications company

An Investor in People which offers personal development, flexible working, wellbeing perks and bonus structure. Also offers work experience and placements for the next generation

Ecl-ips - Bromsgrove - Security and monitoring equipment and installation

A close-knit, friendly team whose owner won Business Leader of the Year in the 2022 North Worcestershire Business Awards

Eco2Solar – Kidderminster - Solar energy installer Named as a Best Place to Work

Staff member said: "Throughout my career I have worked for a range of companies in a range of roles, however the support I have been given at Eco2Solar is second to none. The opportunities I have been offered mean I am now capable of things I had never considered or even thought possible."

Halfords - Redditch - Automotive and bicycle parts retailer

Launched a recruitment drive to meet increasing demand for vehicle servicing, MOTs and repairs. It is creating 1,000 new automotive technician roles over the next 12 months, prioritising attracting retirees back into the workforce and aims to increase the number of women in automotive technician roles

ISO Quality Services - Worcester - Quality management consultancy

Winner of the health and wellbeing category of the Hereford & Worcestershire Business Awards Kanes Foods Evesham Largest privately owned employer in Worcestershire. Offers employees opportunities to develop successful careers in the food industry. Website shares stories of employees across the business

Malvern Panalytical - Malvern - Scientific instruments

Former employee review: "Friendly and diverse people work there. Flexible working hours. Management are supportive and understanding and there is xposure to a variety of technologies"

Morgan Motor Company - Malvern - Automotive manufacturer

Many of the Morgan workforce learnt their trade at the factory. It says: "We encourage job applications from all and actively seek to add fresh perspectives and new ideas to our hardworking and passionate workforce."

One Creative - Worcester - Architects and designers

Active support for continuous professional development. The managing director said: "We recruit talented individuals and provide career opportunities within the company"

Open GI - Worcester - Technology for the insurance sector

Its goal is to be both the technology partner and employer of choice to the general insurance market.

Sanctuary Housing - Worcester - Housing association

The Sanctuary Learning Academy provides effective learning opportunities throughout the organisation, supporting employees to achieve their ambitions and enabling the Group to meet its business objectives.

Speller Metcalfe - Malvern - Construction company

Staff member said: "I like that I can be working one-on-one with a director one day and a trainee the next. It doesn't feel like there is a hierarchy, everyone helps everyone."

Webbs Garden Centres - Droitwich - Garden centre, retail Accredited as a Great Place to Work

The company has developed a career pathway strategy for all employees and runs a future leaders programme for all staff not already at supervisor level who want to develop their leadership skills

Worcester Bosch – Worcester - UK market leader in domestic boilers

Staff review said: "It's good place to start your career. Supportive management and friendly work environment."

Yamazaki Mazak - Worcester - World's largest manufacturer of computer controlled (CNC) metal-cutting machines

Offers a highly successful apprenticeship training programme and engages with the local community to encourage young people into an engineering career

This feature has been published inside out March Issue of Business & Innovation Magazine - Pages 59-69 - in association with Pertemps.

To see the feature in print, read our latest edition online.