Published by Sue Johns-Chapman
Published Date 05.08.2025 
The UK Company Culture Awards are not a popularity contest! Our winners and top companies face a robust two-step judging process that digs deep into cultural initiatives and programmes, budgets and outcomes to establish a true picture of organisational culture.
If you are looking for a workplace that values employee health and well-being, that supports personal growth and career development and is invested in CSR and ESG, this is the list for you.
We are talking beyond employee feedback and testimonials, we are shouting about the dedication of management, the real impact and data-supported results.
UK Company Culture Awards – Top Companies to Work For 2025
Top Company to Work for – Best Workplace Mental Health Initiative
Mednet
Mednet is a full-service healthcare brand communications agency commited to setting a new standard of engagement in healthcare by turning innovation into impact.
What culture experts say:
“Mednet stand out because of their structured, data-driven approach to workplace mental health. The involvement of senior leadership and a wide range of strategies ensures long-term impact, with the organisation’s commitment to evidence-based interventions being highly admirable. They demonstrate a deep understanding of mental health, supported by well-structured policies to effectively assist staff in the workplace.“
Top Company to Work For – Best Workplace Health & Wellbeing Awareness Initiative
Engage Interactive
Employee owned and a B-Corp digital agency helping brands win online by prioritising values, relationships and social environmental impact.
What culture experts say:
“Engage Interactive demonstrate a simple, clear, and well-orchestrated health and wellbeing initiative. It was fantastic to see staff share how much they enjoyed being part of the Elympics initiative and the positive impact it had on their overall well-being, giving them sharper focus, more energy, and helping them stay accountable. We loved how the benefits to their people, as well as the more obvious charitable benefits, were recorded. The longevity of this event is a true testament to its success.“
Top Company to Work For & Best Charitable/Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative
NHS – Shared Business Service – Healthy Program – People, Planet, Purpose
A proud member of the NHS family, Shared Business Service helps NHS organisations achieve more together than they can alone. Whether that’s unlocking long-term efficiencies to be reinvested into patient care or supporting complex transformation programmes, their solutions are co-created with and for the NHS.
What culture experts say:
“We are impressed by the commitment the NHS show to their program – People, Planet, Purpose. They have a well-structured and clear approach, making it easy to understand how the project contributes to the overall vision. The strategy is comprehensive and thoughtful, and as experts, we appreciated how they empowered employees to choose charities and causes they wanted to support during voluntary opportunities.”
Top Company to Work For – Next Generation
Reflect Digital – Educating & Inspiring the Next Generation of Digital Leaders
A behavioural science-led digital marketing agency working to connect audiences and their motivations to brands to deliver exponential growth.
What culture experts say:
“Reflect has a well-structured approach with a broad range of initiatives targeting different talent groups. Their commitment and investment are evident not only in the thought that went into this initiative but, more importantly, in the positive results. It inspires future digital professionals while also taking tangible action to create opportunities and foster sustainable career pathways.”
Top Company to Work For – ESG
BWB Technologies – ESG proving micro businesses can make an impact.
Flame photometer experts working across Europe, America and the Middle East.
What culture experts say:
“BWB show how micro-businesses can make a significant impact on ESG. Their effective use of SMART goals and clear objectives, along with well-defined tactics, made their approach to ESG easy. Their results are impressive and link back to the organisation’s goals, showcasing their successful execution.”
Top Company to Work For – Flexible Working
Interlink
A B2B marketing and technology company on a mission to revolutionise lead generation.
What the experts say:
“Interlink clearly understand how flexible working can significantly improve employee well-being. Judges particularly admired their approach to flexible working transition as a long-term shift in their business model. They ensured its effectiveness at every level, benefiting employees, customers, and the organisation as a whole, which resulted in outstanding business performance and high retention.“
Top Company to Work For – Best Employee Reward Scheme
Aegon UK – Pay & Progression
Aegon is a global provider of financial services, offering life insurance, pensions, and asset management. They work with financial advisers and employers to help individuals improve their financial well-being.
“The Aegon Pay & Progression scheme is both well-developed and expertly implemented, with a consistent approach that seamlessly integrates across multiple touchpoints. It features a highly structured design, focused on skills portability and personal growth. Aegon demonstrate a profound understanding of how essential team and company culture are to customer satisfaction. A truly standout winner!“
Top Company to Work For – Best Mentoring Initiative
First Direct Bank – Welcome to FD.
The bank that changed banking. Online and not on the high street, available 24/7.
What the experts say:
Judges were impressed that volunteers are at the heart of the Welcome to FD initiative. delivering a well-structured, long-term support programme designed to encourage growth and we admire what they are doing. It establishes a strong evidence base that clearly outlines the challenge the project aims to address, as well as the business rationale behind its initiation. This not only highlights the strategic importance of the initiative but also demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to continuous improvement.
Top Companies to Work For – Best Cultural Transformation
Clean Digital – Transformational Leap into Employee Ownership
Employee owned, data driven digital agency who believe in a transparent and accountable approach to client relationships.
What the experts say:
“Clean Digital’s bold and inclusive leap into employee ownership has clearly delivered impressive results and positive feedback. They have truly embodied their values and transitioning to employee ownership is a brave, values-driven decision that genuinely empowers their people. By giving employees a direct stake in the organisation’s success, they’ve cultivated a culture of shared responsibility, fresh perspectives, and long-term sustainability.“
Top Company to Work For – Best Diversity, Equality, Inclusion & Belonging Intiatitive
First Direct – We Stand Together
The bank that changed banking. Online and not on the high street, available 24/7.
What the experts say:
“First Direct impressed across the diverse areas in which they’ve brought their DEIB strategy to life. They demonstrated a wide-ranging impact and robust results. The proactive approach to engaging individuals who might not typically be involved in DEIB initiatives is particularly impressive. This thoughtful inclusion not only enriches the diversity of perspectives but also ensures that the benefits of the program are felt across all levels of the business.”
Top Company to Work For – Remote Working Initiative
Reboot – Redefining remote work for a perfect work-life balance
Award winning search marketing agency who strike the perfect balance between creativity thinking and technical knowledge.
What the experts say:
“Reboot’s comprehensive and forward-thinking approach to remote working is impressive. Integrating policies such as the four-day workweek, not only boosted employee satisfaction but also set a benchmark for other organisations. They clearly invest in their work-from-home strategy, which is shaped by team feedback, and the results and outcomes are outstanding.”
Top Company to Work For – Best Employee Led Initative
Skyrise – Culture Hub
Skyrise provide a real-world alternative to buying, planning, and measuring media, powered by unrivalled insight and activated through buying programmatic media.
What experts say:
“Skyrise boast an organic and sustainable employee-led initiative, a living resource that goes beyond static policies to create a dynamic, evolving cultural tool that supports individuals at all levels. Experts love how adaptable it is, with the potential to extend beyond the organisation. It is absolutely fantastic in its simplicity!”
Top for Country – Business Purpose Before Profit Award
Evoluted
A full-service digital agency that creates with purpose, builds with agility and grows at scale.
What the experts say:
“Evoluted’s contributions to the community, sustainability efforts, and employee-first culture sets them apart as a prime example of purpose-driven leadership in the digital agency space. Their purpose before profit initiative is comprehensive and well-rounded, prioritising community impact, sustainability, and employee empowerment, all while maintaining strong business performance. The alignment of their mission, strategy, and results is impressive, reflecting a genuine commitment to creating a positive impact.”
Top Company to Work For – Best Internal Communications
First Direct – Internal Comms
The bank that changed banking. Online and not on the high street, available 24/7.
“First Direct deliver fun and engaging internal comms. The leadership team fully embraced the initiative alongside the comms team to ensure its success. The impressive bounceback from the hybrid working announcement, quickly exceeding pre-announcement engagement levels, was particularly outstanding. It was a great campaign, with results that demonstrated dedication and a genuine willingness to make a difference.”
Top Company to Work For – Best Employee L&D
E.ON – Limitless Leadership
E.ON is a major European energy company involved in energy networks, infrastructure solutions, and customer solutions.
What experts say:
“E.ON deliver a high-impact Learning & Development programme! Outcomes are particularly strong in terms of operational impact. It’s a great programme for a company on a large scale, and it’s clear that a lot of thought, planning, and expertise went into designing it. Their impressive, quantifiable results in leadership development and customer service improvements further highlight its success.”
Top Company to Work For – Best Employee Progression & Retention
Skyrise – Real, Connected, Creators
What culture experts say:
“Skyrise implement a range of initiatives to ensure employee retention and progression. There is a strong focus on professional development, workplace culture, and benefits. The company is clearly evolving alongside its employees. We particularly loved the positive feedback from the staff.”
Top Company to Work For – Best Onboarding/Induction
First Direct – Welcome to FD
The bank that changed banking. Online and not on the high street, available 24/7.
What culture experts say:
“First Digital demonstrate clear illustration of objectives and the problem they aimed to solve, along with a well-structured programme. The inclusion of training on neurodiversity and other disabilities is highly impressive, fostering an inclusive onboarding environment and moving to in-person training is a strong decision. The deployment of Mental Health First Aiders underscores their strong commitment to employee well-being.”
Top Company to Work For – Best Remote Working Environment
Limelight Inc – More than a business, a community that grows.
Limelight Inc redefine the principles and culture of ad tech by blending cutting-edge tech with expertise and human support.
What culture experts say:
“Limelight has made a considerable investment in their team, offering the flexibility needed to suit modern life. Despite being remote, they still encourage local meet-ups for team bonding. Their story offers a compelling narrative on how remote working arrangements not only support a strong organisational culture but also emphasise purpose and clear values. The balanced approach between remote and face-to-face interactions contributes to a shared vision of success, as evidenced by impressive engagement levels and a high retention rate”
Top Company to Work For – Best Hybrid Working
First Direct
The bank that changed banking. Online and not on the high street, available 24/7.
What culture experts say:
“First Direct’s culture is the foundation that allows individuals, teams, and the organisation as a whole to thrive. Their hybrid working plan, supported by a robust operational policy and process, delivers creative solutions with clear and measurable results. They actively listen to their workforce, offering flexibility where necessary while fostering a strong, unified culture. The impressive increased engagement, sustained productivity, and higher employee satisfaction truly set them apart.”
Top Company to Work For – B-Corp Company of the Year
Evoluted
A full-service digital agency that creates with purpose, builds with agility and grows at scale.
What culture experts say:
“Evoluted have structured development programmes which set a high benchmark for workplace culture in the industry, prioritising people over profit and embedding sustainability, both within the organisation and with their clients. Their approach to employee training, well-being, and remuneration is much admired. It’s clear that it’s a great place to work, a place where their team truly feels like a valued part of the company.”
Top Company to Work For – Most Innovative Culture
Visiting Angels
Visiting Angels has been providing care across the world for 20 years. The business is built on recruiting, training and supporting the very best caregivers to enable them to deliver premium quality homecare.
What culture experts say:
“It is fantastic to see a company valuing its employees in tangible ways that directly benefit them. Visiting Angels demonstrate how cultural innovation can improve both business outcomes and service quality, while responding excellently to challenges. The statistical comparisons with industry benchmarks further strengthen the nomination, providing clear evidence of their success.”
Top Company to Work For – Best Team Culture
Engage Interactive
Employee owned and a B-Corp digital agency helping brands win online by prioritising values, relationships and social environmental impact.
What culture experts say:
“Engage Interactive have created a workplace where people genuinely feel like they belong. The shift to employee ownership was a game-changer, ensuring that everyone had a real say in the company’s future. Judges were impressed with their strong, inclusive, and forward-thinking culture that prioritised DE&I, learning, and employee engagement. Their strong retention rates, excellent employee satisfaction scores, and continued growth are a testament to the effectiveness of their people-first approach.”
Top Company to Work For
First Direct Bank
The bank that changed banking. Online and not on the high street, available 24/7.
What culture experts say:
“First Direct has built an exceptionally strong people-first culture, with initiatives such as mutual mentoring, leadership shadowing, and extensive employee well-being programs, fostering a highly engaged workforce. Their investment in employees and flexibility creates a truly supportive environment, reflecting a well-rounded approach to the overall employee experience.”
Best Agency to Work For (Small)
Clean Digital
Employee owned, data driven digital agency who believe in a transparent and accountable approach to client relationships.
What the experts say:
“Clean Digital demonstrate a clear commitment to employee well-being. Their employee-owned structure sets them apart, ensuring every team member has a voice in business decisions. Their strong retention rates and growing client base highlight the success of their people-first culture and dedication to professional development. The evidence they provided, combining client feedback and key stats tied to employee retention, is something they should be especially proud of.”
Best Agency to Work For (Medium)
Receptional
Receptional help ambitious brands grow and lead. They work alongside clients, finding opportunities others miss and turning strategy into results you can measure.
What culture experts say:
“Receptional put a lot of thought into their workplace and their approach to addressing challenges around career progression and recruitment is strong, with clear, well-structured initiatives driving measurable impact. Their extensive range of benefits reflects a strong, employee-centric culture and highlights the agency’s commitment to creating a positive workplace that resonates with both current and prospective staff. It’s both impressive and inspiring!”
Best Agency to Work (Large)
Impression Digital
“Impression are a performance marketing agency redefining excellence through their people, performance, and technology.”
What culture experts say:
“Impression’s commitment to employee engagement and well-being is deeply embedded, supported by a proven track record of initiatives that attract, develop, and retain a high-performing team. With so many benefits, it’s evident they genuinely care about work-life balance. Their training programmes, clear career growth paths, and mental health support ensure employees feel valued and motivated. A high retention rate and rapid business growth further prove they’re on the right track! They’ve created an environment where employees feel supported and inspired to thrive.”
