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A lingerie and swimwear firm named the best company to work for in the South West has said how increased efforts to stay connected with its furloughed team in the region during the pandemic helped it to win the accolade.

Bravissimo, which has stores in Bath and in Cheltenham, recently topped a list of 50 firms published by employee engagement specialists Best Companies.

Based on an anonymous poll capturing the views of staff at more than a thousand companies nationwide, the annual survey ranks employers on a variety of factors that shape their employees’ experience, from pensions to equal opportunities.

Around 90% of Bravissimo staff said they felt proud to work for the organisation, that their team was fun to work for and the company encouraged charitable activities.

The business was also commended for having women in at least 40% of its senior management roles.

The retailer has its headquarters in Leamington Spa but employs 700 people across its website and 26 º£½ÇÊÓƵ stores, as well as an outlet in the US. It also topped Best Companies' North West regional list for 2021.

The firm’s senior management was praised for its hands-on approach to helping staff during busy periods and prioritising workers’ wellbeing after returning from furlough and during the national lockdowns.

Bravissimo ran digital listening groups in response to the Black Lives Matter campaign to hear employees' personal experiences of discrimination. The company also offered Christmas hampers to all of its staff to reward their efforts over last year.