Only those businesses that achieve the highest scores after evaluation receive Best Workplaces status, with the brand new UK’s Best Workplaces for Development List recognising companies making employee development a key part of company culture. Gleeds is one of just 50 organisations to be included in the Super Large category, and the only construction consultancy to feature.

To compile the shortlist, Great Place to Work analysed 240,000 employee responses to its Trust Index survey and defined the four areas with the greatest impact on positive perceptions of development. These are empowerment essentials, recognition essentials, management behaviour essentials and development essentials.

Overall, more than 70% of Gleeds’ people agreed that management appreciates good work and that staff are trusted to do a good job without being overly monitored. They also felt that training was readily available, that everybody had the opportunity to achieve special recognition, and that people were celebrated for trying new ways of doing things regardless of the outcome.

People development director at Gleeds, Carol Davidson, said: “Our people are our most important asset so I’m thrilled that Gleeds has been recognised for offering opportunities for staff to develop themselves, learn new skills, and progress within the organisation. We’ve implemented several initiatives to support management and those they lead, and our inclusion in this list shows that our commitment to supporting every employee on their personal development journey is paying off.”

“Employee training and development isn’t just about teaching employees to do their jobs. It’s about showing employees they are valued and that there is a path of progression available. When employees don’t see opportunity, they don’t bring their best selves to work and productivity and retention will be adversely impacted,” added Benedict Gautrey, managing director of Great Place To Work UK.

“Employee development is future-focused and evidences a commitment to employee’s long-term growth. It ensures your people feel valued, and feeds into the overall company culture and strategy. Each year, we recognise organisations whose thriving workplace cultures are enabling both their people and their business to flourish. Opportunities for learning and development are a crucial element of this success, which is why we’re so thrilled to be recognising this year, for the very first time, the UK’s Best Workplaces for Development,” he went on to say.

This is Gleeds’ fifth Best Workplaces acknowledgement from Great Place to Work since becoming accredited in November 2022, having previously been named in the Best Workplaces for Wellbeing, Best Workplaces for Women and Best Workplaces UK lists.