Four consulting firms named among best companies to work for in UK
Employees have named the best companies to work for in the UK. The Glassdoor rankings, which were compiled from verified anonymous reviews of British employers, saw four consulting firms among the top 50 UK bosses: Peninsula, Capgemini, Capco and PwC.
Glassdoor is a platform where employees can review their own firm. Originating from the US, the platform has expanded across Europe over the past two years, launching in the UK, France, the Netherlands, Germany, and many more of the continent’s key economies. This year, based on all ratings given by verified employees of their employers dating up until November 2017, Glassdoor has named a list of the 25 best employers for six countries: the US, Canada, the UK, France, Germany and The Netherlands.
The top rankings include large multinationals, such as technology giants Google (who ranked first in the UK), Salesforce and SAP, retail titans Harrods, automotive firms including Rolls Royce, and several smaller businesses that stand out from crowd. Among the aspects that staff were asked to rate their companies for, were career opportunities, culture and values, the quality of its management, work/life balance, satisfaction over salary and working conditions, and how the recruitment process was managed. Scores were then compiled into an average out of five stars. Participants on the site did so by using their name, a pseudonym, or anonymously if needed, and the platform has a moderating system in place to control if the reports are legitimate or spam.
Four consultancies
This year saw four names from the UK consulting industry grace the list. The highest ranked of these, registering a 4.2 star average, was Peninsula. The Manchester-headquartered business management consultancy ranked 30th on the list. One five-star reviewer sang praises for the firm, stating that, along with overtime and progression opportunities, the company are keen to invest in their talent. The graduate employee said, “there is a very high expectation for the graduates, but provided with the support to achieve this. Training sessions on areas of employment law are interesting and leave [participants] with a huge amount of info to digest.”
Following closely behind, Capgemini, who celebrated their 50th year in business this year, ranked 31st. This saw the IT and technology firm rise by 12 places from last year’s performance, and also record a 4.2 star average. One top reviewer was, once more, happy to praise opportunities for advancement and personal development, as well as the diversity of work available. The employee, who classes themself as an architect at the firm, said there were, “opportunities to work in multiple sectors, leading the way and helping to make a real difference to the client... Great people who are happy to share; a truly collaborative environment.”
Next from the consulting industry were newcomers Capco, who appeared on Glassdoor’s UK list for the first time in this outing, at number 44. The firm recently obtained its independence, following a private equity backed buy out earlier in the year, as it seeks an ambitious growth strategy in 2018. As well as the traditional benefits of consulting work, one employee who gave a five-star review, was keen to celebrate the culture of fun in the firm’s Edinburgh office, particularly, which has seen “fun events like rock climbing, half marathons for charity, Edinburgh Festival fireworks from the office, summer party, team bowling, etc.”
Finally, PwC, who round off the entire list in 50th place, have been a consistent presence in every incarnation of the UK list by Glassdoor. This makes them one of a shrinking club of just seven companies who have ranked among the UK Best Places to Work for all its years: the others being Google, Expedia, JP Morgan, Hays, Unilever and Waitrose. Like Capco, PwC recorded a solid 4.1 average, in the year when Gartner analysis revealed PwC had fended off their Big Four rivals to remain the world’s largest consulting firm. One top review for the firm celebrated the freedom for individuals to create solutions in their own way, with the employee stating they are “allowed to use initiative to solve problems,” while in spite of this non-uniform structure, there remains a “clear line of promotion, personal benefits and lots of incentives available.”
Other lists bij Glassdoor saw Bain & Company, who did not make the UK rankings, dominate in Germany – ranking 1st among all employers – followed by Deloitte and Accenture. KPMG and EY meanwhile fell from the rankings in Germany altogether. In France, Wavestone ranked third nationally. Last year, Big Four firm EY were the only professional services industry member of the French list.
