14 NW firms ranked in elite list
THE North West can boast 14 out of the UK’s top 100 companies to work for.
Last year’s number one company, Lancashire-based jewellery retailer Beaverbrrooks, slips to third place, but The New Charter Housing Association, based in Aston-under-Lyne soared up the Sunday Times-sponsored survey from 52nd place to sixth.
New Charter, which owns Nottinghamshire landlord Gedling Homes and Oldham-based Aksa Housing Association, was named the most improved employer.
Based on staff feedback, organisations receive a Best Companies index score which determines their star rating compared to a fixed standard.
New Charter chief executive Ian Munro said: “We were 52nd in The Sunday Times list in 2009 and we pored over those survey results.
“Every one of my managers and supervisors looked carefully at what we could improve. It’s no coincidence that appreciation of this level of management has distinguished the very best performers.
“As one of only 50 companies to get three stars, we had confidence we’d improve in the listing – but this is above my expectation. And it underscores what our customers have consistently told us – a great company is made by its great people.”
Salford-based financial services company Think Money was another North West climber, jumping from 43rd place to 13th.
Burnley housing association Calico also entered the top 20, rising from 28th-place to 15th.
After five years in the top five in the survey Manchester law firm Pannone fell to 18th from third place last year, but is still the top ranked legal practice in the country.
Steven Grant, managing partner at Pannone, said: “It is the seventh consecutive year that Pannone has been ranked in the survey which is an excellent performance and testament to the hard work, talent and dedication of our workforce.”
The region’s third housing association entrant, Liverpool-based Plus Dane, rose from 35th to 29th. Private equity-owned Inventive Leisure, which operates the Revolution vodka bar chain was ranked 34th, up from 49th last year.
Chester and District Housing Trust was another major climber, rocketing from 88th to 47th.
Another social housing provider, Cheshire-based Weaver Vale Housing Trust is a new entry at 53, two places ahead of Manchester-based Kellogg UK.
Manchester-based Great Places Housing Group and the Trafford Housing trust were ranked 58th and 61st respectively.
Cheshire-based retailer Pets at Home, which was recently sold for £955m was a new entrant at 82nd in the survey.
Law firm Brabners Chaffe Street, which has offices in Liverpool, Manchester and Preston was ranked 83rd overall, down from 20th place last year.
