The best UK firms to work for in 2025 have been revealed, as part of The Sunday Times’ annual listing.
The results of the Best Places to Work in 2025 are varied, ranging from tech giants to property firms, including estate agencies of different sizes.
Jon Yeomans, business editor of The Sunday Times, said: “Happy workers make for good businesses. Staff retention rises, recruitment costs fall, good ideas are fostered and the company’s top line swells. Generating a healthy corporate culture does not have to cost the earth, either.
Connells is the only property firm to feature in this category.
The Sunday Times said:
“Staff at the UK’s largest estate agency can spend more time at home now that it has capped its standard working week at 37.5 hours. The Leighton Buzzard-based group has more than 1,200 branches nationwide including Countrywide, Connells and William H Brown. A subsidiary of Skipton Building Society, the group – which also provides property services – offers its 12,210 staff a competitive salary and training and development. Many of the leadership team have worked their way up through the business.
The best ‘Big’ organisations:
Lomond is the sole property company named in this category.
The Sunday Times said:
“Mentor Bench, a new venture at this real estate, rental and leasing specialist, helps employees learn from colleagues in different parts of the organisation. Headquartered in London but with teams across the UK, Lomond has 1,855 staff and its annual awards ceremony recently honoured more than 200 winners. Perks include paid charity days, a holiday purchase scheme, smart tech schemes, discounted shopping vouchers, and incentive trips to destinations such as Paris and Valencia.”
Reflecting on their success, Ed Phillips, group chief executive of Lomond, commented: “At Lomond, we take immense pride in fostering a workplace culture that prioritises employee engagement, recognition and continuous professional development. As a previous Sunday Times Best Places to Work winner, we have built a strong foundation of trust, collaboration and innovation amongst our colleagues, and our values of Wisdom, Integrity, Success, and Evolution continue to shape our business today.
“As a leading business in the property sector, we recognise the evolving landscape and the increasing expectations for companies to create workplaces that go beyond just employment. We believe that investing in our people is the golden thread for our ongoing success, so we are committed to maintaining an environment where they thrive.
“We remain focused on our mission to create a culture where people feel inspired to do their best work. We are honoured to be named as a UK Best Place to Work again in 2025.”
‘Medium’ property firms:
Karl Tatler Estate Agents & Lettings
The Sunday Times said:
This estate agency with eight locations across the Wirral has an excellent staff retention record. A third of its 120 workforce have been with the company for more than five years, and 15 per cent for more than ten. It keeps them happy with regular awards for top performers, weekly Pilates classes and an early finish on Friday. Staff at the central office in Heswall can make use of a custom-built bar area with a pool table, table tennis, darts and board games. In 2024, all senior hires, including three new directors, came from within the business.
The Pedder Group
The Sunday Times said:
“This family-owned and run estate agency and property services company keeps its own house in order with regular upgrades to its nine offices across London. The company recently reduced working hours to give its 61 employees a better work-life balance and offers a range of development opportunities from management and first aid training to mentorships. There are two annual conferences in Mallorca as well as a number of social events and fundraising activities to raise money for Cancer Research UK.”
Centrick
The Sunday Times said:
“Over half of the leadership roles at this Birmingham property management company, are held by women, and those with caring commitments are well supported. A team of mental-health first-aiders is on hand, while the employee assistance programme supports the team of 223. Informal social events allow teams to build connections and Wellbeing Wednesdays involve a healthy lunch and a wellbeing initiative. The Centrick Academy offers training, and benefits include birthdays off, family-friendly leave policies and menopause leave.”
Grosvenor Property UK
The Sunday Times said:
This property developer wants its people to create “low-carbon buildings and vibrant places, improving urban biodiversity, supporting the creation of new homes and contributing to London’s success.” Its 220 employees can see their progress in the city surrounding their Grosvenor Street base as well as annual performance and development reviews linked directly to the business strategy. Benefits include bonuses, a generous pension scheme, excellent family leave and private medical insurance. And there is a free daily lunch
Indurent Management
The Sunday Times said:
Formed in 2024 after the merger of St Modwen Logistics and Industrials REIT, Indurent is one of the UK’s largest providers of industrial and logistics warehousing. A strong collaborative culture and regular social activities, including monthly gatherings and annual events, help strengthen relationships across teams and departments. The London business, owned by alternative asset manager Blackstone, encourages professional development at every level. The 118 employees enjoy benefits such as private healthcare, a cycle-to-work scheme, travel insurance and an employee assistance programme
Momentum Group
The Sunday Times said:
“Launched in 2018, this Liverpool construction, property management, facilities management and maintenance firm has a workforce of 54. Every month it holds “Time To” events to support staff wellbeing. Time to Talk encourages sharing, Time to Play is for team-building and Time to Contribute is all about volunteering and charity. The company also gives to local causes through its Momentum Foundation, and matches employee fundraising up to £250 per person per year. Annual away days give the whole team the chance to unwind together.”
Torsion Group
The Sunday Times said:
“Property developer Torsion Group has built up a people-first culture in which hard work is rewarded and wellbeing supported. Benefits for the 236 staff include private healthcare and income protection, enhanced pension contributions, and 24/7 mental-health support for all. Flexible working arrangements are supported where possible, while the Leeds offices encourage connection across teams. The company runs volunteering programmes, and staff surveys are circulated to gather feedback.”
The best ‘Small’ property companies
flatfair
The Sunday Times said:
“On a self-proclaimed mission to make renting fairer, this London property technology firm starts the ball rolling with its 27 staff. Flexible hours from Monday to Thursday and 2pm Friday finishes give employees space to establish the work-life balance that is right for them. A £30 monthly wellbeing allowance, through Juno, helps them look after their mental, physical and emotional health, and because every permanent staff member has share options, they can all be part of the company’s success.”
Archer
The Sunday Times said:
“Real estate investment fund Archer has its sights set on building a culture that embraces transparency. Learning and development at the London-based business includes a peer-to-peer programme in which leading sector figures give talks to the team of 33. Staff can look forward to coming into the office on Mondays when lunch is served for free. Wellness days offer chair massages and juices. Benefits include medical insurance, enhanced family leave policies and paid study leave.”
kate & tom’s
The Sunday Times said:
“This Gloucestershire agency, specialising in letting luxury houses in England and Wales, has a remote-first team of 22. Regular social events give colleagues the opportunity to come together, and there is a virtual book club. Suggestions around working patterns are welcomed and a mental health first aider is provided. Benefits include birthdays off work, a discretionary bonus scheme, and enhanced maternity pay for those with more than five years of service.”
Landswood de Coy
The Sunday Times said:
“At London boutique asset manager Landswood de Coy, staff are recognised for their hard work, and the 40 employees are given opportunities to progress within the company. Managing partners are keen to support any employee development requests and are eager to hear from staff on new initiatives that they wish to bring in house. Social events include summer and winter parties, while staff benefits include a generous annual leave allowance and life insurance.”
Seven
The Sunday Times said:
“At real estate consultancy Seven an open-door policy helps to create a collaborative approach in the workplace. Hybrid working is offered to allow the 49 employees to work flexibly, and there is an option for a sabbatical programme. The fridge is stocked in the London office and lunch is provided every Monday for the weekly team meeting. Mental-health first aiders support the wellbeing programme, and employees are given two days a year to support charitable organisations.”
How Best Places to Work is calculated
The Sunday Times Best Places to Work analysis uses 26 questions from WorkL’s employee engagement survey, developed by behavioural scientists, data analysts, psychologists, business leaders, academics and other independent parties to most accurately monitor employee engagement, wellbeing and discretionary effort in the workplace.
To achieve a high overall engagement score, an organisation must score well across WorkL’s six-step framework, each of which consists of three to five key elements measured on a 0-10 scale:
• Reward and recognition
• Instilling pride
• Information sharing
• Empowerment
• Wellbeing
• Job satisfaction
An organisation’s overall engagement score is the sum of all question responses, divided by the maximum possible value as a percentage.
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Employees also respond to statements including:
• I am happy with the hours I work
• I am fairly paid
• I am recognised when I do something well
• I do something worthwhile
• My views are heard at work
• I understand the organisation’s plan
• I am trusted to make decisions
• My employer cares for my wellbeing
• I rarely feel anxious or depressed about work
• I am treated with respect
• I have a good relationship with my manager
• I work in a well-run organisation
To be accredited as a Sunday Times Best Place to Work, organisations must achieve a minimum 70% engagement score. The top ten companies are those which achieved the ten highest engagement scores within each of the four size groupings. All employee numbers were correct at the time of survey.
Those participating had to reach these minimum average response rates to qualify: Very big, 40%; Big, 50%; Medium, 50%; Small, 60%.
View the full Sunday Times list here.
Read the orginal article: https://propertyindustryeye.com/which-estate-agencies-feature-on-best-place-to-work-2025-list-by-sunday-times/
