Four North East businesses are celebrating after being named among the Best Places to Work in the 海角视频 for 2025 by The Sunday Times.
A total of 530 businesses across the 海角视频 have made the list, which shines a light on the companies that go the extra mile to make their employees feel happy, fulfilled and supported at work, by measuring staff feedback on factors including reward and recognition, employee engagement, empowerment, wellbeing and job satisfaction.
The annual list is the result of the 海角视频’s biggest study of employee engagement, which analyses responses to 26 questions from WorkL’s employee engagement survey.
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It highlights the best workplaces for women, the LGBTQIA+ community, disabled employees, ethnic minorities, younger and older workers, as well as those that provide the best wellbeing support.
To achieve a high overall engagement score, an organisation has to score well across WorkL’s six-step framework, and to then be accredited as a Sunday Times Best Place to Work, organisations must achieve a minimum 70% overall engagement score.
The lists come in four sizes and this year’s list includes 26 Best Very Big Places to Work, 115 Best Big Places to Work, 187 Best Medium Places to Work, and 202 Best Small Places to Work, while also singling out top 10 companies within each of the four organisation size groupings.
In the North East, companies celebrating include Newcastle’s education support services firm The Edwin Group, marking the third year in a row the organisation has made the list.
Liam Roberts, CEO of the company, which has 315 employees, said: “Our people told us they feel valued, supported and empowered to thrive – both personally and professionally. We’re very fortunate at Edwin to have built a culture of togetherness and community which shines through. Any success we may have enjoyed is down to the commitment and diligence of a workforce who care deeply about what they do.
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“As we celebrate this third consecutive recognition from The Sunday Times, we look to the future with fresh energy and ambition. We’ll continue investing in our people, nurturing talent, and championing a culture where everyone feels they belong.”
In medium group, accountancy and business advisors Robson Laidler is singled out, as well as health and social care business Sunderland GP Alliance, the not-for-profit collaboration of Sunderland-based GPs.
Robson Laidler, which has a team of 96 staff across its offices in Jesmond and Chester le Street and became the first organisation in the North East to achieve B Corp certification in 2021, has recently introduced a four day working week. Since its introduction, over 80% of the team have reported feeling less stressed - both at work and in their personal lives.
Co-managing director Amy Park said: “I’m incredibly proud of the culture we’ve built at Robson Laidler – one where our people feel genuinely valued and rewarded. To be nationally recognised for the second year running as one of the 海角视频’s Best Places to Work is a true testament to the people centric approach we take every day.
“In today’s competitive labour market, building a workplace where employees feel they belong and want to stay is no small achievement. This recognition not only highlights the strength of our culture and commitment to employee wellbeing but also enhances our reputation as an employer of choice.
“What makes this even more meaningful is that it’s based entirely on honest feedback from our team. It reflects the passion, dedication, and support our people show every day, not only in their work and relationships with clients, but with each other.
“Our purpose as a business is to make a positive difference to people’s lives. That’s embedded in everything we do – and being named one of the Best Places to Work proves we’re living that purpose every day.”
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Meanwhile in Middlesbrough, digital marketing agency Outrank secured a spot among the top small businesses in the 海角视频. Outrank, which has 43 employees, was praised for its flexible working hours, remote work options, and its range of employee benefits that promote mental health and work-life balance.
Stephen Robinson, founder, said: "This recognition is a testament to the amazing team we have built here in Middlesbrough. We focus on supporting our people through opportunities for personal growth, mentorship, and a strong sense of camaraderie. The wellbeing of our employees is at the heart of everything we do, and this accolade reflects that dedication."
David Lloyd Clubs, Moto Hospitality, Wingstop 海角视频 and Octopus Energy were among the Top 10 employers in the Very Big organisation category, while Dakota Hotels, easyJet, Champneys and Willmott Dixon were ranked as some of the Top 10 best employers in the Big organisation category.
Alongside training and development initiatives, some 海角视频 companies featured have come up with more inventive schemes, including one which offers 12 weeks of neonatal leave and up to five days of carers’ leave a year, a care company staff which pays for driving lessons in certain roles, and a business management consultancy where pet bereavement leave is offered to employees.
Jon Yeomans, business editor of The Sunday Times, said: “Happy workers make for good businesses. Staff retention rises, recruitment costs fall, good ideas are fostered and the company’s top line swells. Generating a healthy corporate culture does not have to cost the earth, either. This year’s Best Places to Work have each brought clever and inventive ideas to bear: whether entrusting every employee with a company credit card, introducing suggestion schemes with a cash prize or simply training staff sensibly so they feel empowered and enthused about their jobs.”
Founder of WorkL Lord Mark Price said: “Many Congratulations to those featured in the 2025 Sunday Times Best Places to Work list, powered by WorkL. The recognised organisations lead the way in employee experience and will now benefit from improved retention and recruitment for the year ahead. WorkL are proud to power these awards and support organisations to measure employee experience and to retain and recruit the very best employees.”
Editor of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work, Zoe Thomas said: “The Sunday Times Best Places to Work list is the 海角视频’s biggest survey of employee engagement, compiled in partnership with workplace expert WorkL. Spanning a raft of sectors and located throughout the 海角视频, the organisations in this year’s list range from innovative start-ups with a handful of employees to big multinational corporations staffed by thousands. These organisations know that happy employees are the superpower helping them thrive.”