Midcounties in UK's Top 25 Big Companies to Work For list makes it awards hat-trick
Community retailer The Midcounties Co-operative and the 9,000 colleagues it employs were today celebrating a stunning hat-trick of national business awards that reflect its growing reputation as an outstanding place to work.
Midcounties, the largest independent co-operative in the UK, was on Sunday named 13th in the Sunday Times listing of the 25 Best Big Companies to Work For. It is the third year in a row it has been listed.
The Sunday Times accolade follows February’s retention of the Society’s Investors in People Gold status and achieving Best Companies’ two star standard.
Chief Executive Ben Reid said: “By anyone’s measure this is a fantastic one, two, three! We have risen 11 places in the listing and I’m incredibly proud of each and every one of our colleagues who have helped make Midcounties the success that it is.”
These award wins come hot on the heels of the Society being named as the Co-operative of the Year at the Co-operative Awards 2012.
Midcounties is a member-owned retailer, whose businesses include food retail, travel, childcare, pharmacy, funeral, energy and flexible benefits.
The Sunday Times listings are judged on feedback from an employee survey which assesses all areas of the employment experience. This includes leadership, personal development, wellbeing and remuneration.
Ben said: “To make the Top 25 list for a third time and also improve our ranking in such a competitive field is a fantastic achievement and one we are immensely proud of.
“Our business is built on ethical values. We believe in involving colleagues, helping them to develop and enjoy their work so we can deliver the best for our customers and members.
“An engaged workforce is key to our success as the largest independent co-operative society in the UK. To be recognised as among the very best employers in the country confirms our approach is the right one.”
Midcounties employs more than 9,000 people. In October it was named Co-operative of the Year 2012 at the annual Co-operative Awards which celebrate excellence, innovation and ethics in business.
Its headquarters are in Warwickshire and it has trading outlets in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Shropshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire and the surrounding counties. Its childcare business extends to further areas and Co-operative Energy has customers nationwide.
