Six Staffordshire firms have been recognised as some of the UK’s Best Places to Work by The Sunday Times.
The scheme, now in its fourth year, is voted for via employees, and highlights companies that go to great lengths to create happy and healthy workplaces.
Aspire Housing, in Newcastle-under-Lyme, picked up the Non-Profit and Charities Sector (Big) award, with praise for its employee-led initiatives which range from wellbeing champions to an equality, diversity and inclusion forum.
And Leek-based specialist nutritional supplements company AYMES International won the award in the Health and Social Care Sector (Small) category. Benefits for its 30 employees include enhanced maternity and paternity leave, 43 days off (including bank holidays), three volunteering days and a share of the profits.
Stone’s Woolcool, a sustainable insulated packaging company, made the list for a second consecutive year.
The company employs a team of 72, who enjoy flexible working, birthdays off, team days, paid time off to volunteer, a physio scheme, exercise groups and a rewards scheme.
CEO Josie Morris described it as an ‘incredibly proud moment’ which reflects a ‘supportive, innovative and driven by purpose’ culture.
She said: “Our people are at the heart of everything we do. We are constantly striving to create an environment where individuals feel valued, respected and empowered to grow, both personally and professionally. This recognition reinforces just how important our team is to everything we achieve.”
Hospitality firm The Parogon Group made the list of best big organisations. Its 572 staff enjoy regular team socials, and benefit from an employee assistance programme for confidential advice, free food during shifts, and access to money management apps. All managers also receive mental health training.
Family-run SE Controls which delivers smoke and environmental ventilation systems, offers hybrid working, a health cash plan, a day off for birthdays and wellbeing days plus monthly competitions to win £50 vouchers and a £1,000 employee of the year prize. The Lichfield business was listed among 195 best small places to work.
In the same category was Newcastle-under-Lyme wholesale food and drink supplier Sugro UK, which has 30 employees and is described as a female dominated, flexible workspace with very low staff turnover.
You have missed Smiths (Solicitors) LLP – Smith Partnership from your article – it would be good if you could correct this please
Leading East Midlands and Staffordshire law firm, Smith Partnership, have been recognised among the UK’s top medium-sized employers in prestigious national awards.
The firm is proud to announce it has been named one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026, with an overall happiness rating of 81% and is recognised in the Medium Organisation category, which celebrates employers with between 50 and 249 employees who demonstrate outstanding commitment to workplace culture, employee wellbeing and engagement.
81% was the average engagement rate of staff at the firm that took part in the survey, 7% higher than the national average in the legal services industry.
The awards are among the most respected employer recognition programmes in the UK, with results determined entirely by employee feedback across six key engagement drivers:
Reward and Recognition – providing recognition and rewards to employees for their contributions (scored 77%).
Instilling Pride – encouraging employees to feel proud of their work and the company (reached ‘Excellent’ at 83%).
Information Sharing – ensuring that employees have access to the information they need to perform their jobs (gained a 78% total).
Empowerment – allowing employees to have a say in decisions and have their opinions considered (attained 83% as ‘Excellent’).
Wellbeing – fostering a supportive and healthy work environment (also with ‘Excellent’ at 81%).
Job Satisfaction – ensuring that employees are satisfied with their jobs and the company (achieved an incredible 85% ‘Excellent’ score).
Being named on the list places Smith Partnership among an elite group of UK organisations proven to offer an exceptional working environment.
The recognition follows the firm’s ongoing investment in its people and communities. Reaffirming its commitment to the next generation of lawyers, the firm celebrated its apprenticeship programme during National Apprenticeship Week, and has achieved Disability Confident Committed status, demonstrating its commitment to equal access and an inclusive workplace for people with disabilities.
The survey reports on other key factors such as confidence in management, which the firm also saw an ‘Excellent’ score of 81% in, compared to an industry average or 76%.
All of this sits alongside a successful 2026 Lexcel audit, in which the firm was described as “big but still personal”, with auditors noting that teams worked well across all offices and that learning and development continues to work very well, with many people progressing through lengthy careers at the firm.
James Johnson, Managing Partner, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the Best Places to Work in the UK. This award means more to us than most, because it is our own people who have made it happen. Their feedback is what drives this recognition, and that makes it truly special.
We have always believed that a happy, supported and engaged team is the foundation of everything we do for our clients, and to have that validated on a national stage is something we are incredibly proud of. This is a brilliant moment for everyone at Smiths. I could not be prouder of our achievement”