Rentokil Initial has been named Best Company to Work for in the UK in Indeed's annual survey of major employers, after ousting Apple from the top spot the international tech giant has occupied since 2018.
The UK-based pest control and hygiene firm, which serves customers ranging from multinational companies to homeowners, came top of a ranking of Britain’s best employers, based on tens of thousands of reviews written by the people who know them best - their staff.
Rentokil came top for its job security and advancement, with staff praising how it promotes from within, the good work-life balance and the company’s positive culture.
In reviews, staff described having high job satisfaction and doing fulfilling work.
The list of the top 25 private sector employers features some of the UK’s best known high street brands and financial institutions, alongside global tech companies.
British firms dominate the table, and account for four of the top five on the list, and six of the top 10.
Apple, the only non-British company in the top five, employs around 6,500 people in the UK.
Praise for its staff perks - which include free or discounted tech - feature prominently in the reviews posted on Indeed.
The third-ranked employer is The Agincare Group, one of the country’s largest care groups, employing more than 3,500 staff.
It scored highly for its supportive management and for offering a good work-life balance.
Retailers performed strongly in the list.
John Lewis, one of Britain’s best-loved department stores, and its food division Waitrose, were both rated highly by their staff.
Both are partnerships, meaning they invite employees to become partners and share profits with them.
Table: Britain’s best tech sector employers
Ranking
Employer
Sector
Origin
1
Rentokil Initial
Business services
British
2
Apple
Tech
American
3
The Agincare Group
Care
British
4
Wren Kitchens
Retail
British
5
Lush Cosmetics
Retail
British
6
E (Gas and Electricity)
Energy
British
7
Barclays
Financial Services
British
8
Nando’s
Restaurants
South African
9
Kumon
Education
Japanese
10
JPMorgan Chase
Financial services
American
11
Siemens AG
Tech
German
12
PwC
Business services
British
13
Rolls-Royce
Automotive
German
14
EY
Financial services
British
15
Marks and Spencer
Retail
British
16
IKEA
Retail
Swedish
17
Bakkavor
Food manufacturing
Icelandic
18
GlaxoSmithKline
Pharmaceuticals
British
19
John Lewis & Partners
Retail
British
20
Waitrose & Partners
Retail
British
21
RBS
Financial services
British
22
Clarks
Retail
British
23
BAE Systems
Defence contractor
British
24
Lloyds Bank
Financial services
British
25
Arnold Clark
Automotive
British
Discussing the survey results, Bill Richards, UK managing director for global job site, Indeed, said:
"Britain’s job creation boom may be easing off, but it’s still very much a jobseeker’s market - in which companies have to fight hard to attract the staff they need to grow.
"With private sector employers facing stiff competition for the best talent, many companies realise they need to offer more than just an attractive salary.
Other factors can be just as important when it comes to wooing good people.
"Reviews posted this year on Indeed’s website by tens of thousands of employees demonstrate just how much value they put on a good work-life balance and a positive work culture - and how likely they are to research and consider these factors before deciding to apply.
"The companies in our top 25 scored consistently highly across all categories, and reviews from their staff show what a decisive difference these factors make in how they are regarded as employers."
Andy Ransom, Rentokil Initial plc CEPO, added:
"Being Indeed’s top-rated workplace for the private sector is a tribute to the hard work and commitment of our colleagues.
We focus on getting it right for our people and in turn they provide a great service to our customers.
We'd be the last to claim that we always get it right but we're committed to the long term investment in our people and their progression and development.
"Our approach is to ensure that we have a culture in place where everyone can develop their career through industry-leading training and be recognised for doing so.
In particular, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment for all employees by striving to be an organisation that values everyone’s talents and abilities."
