Pictured above: Pertemps People Development Group executive director Ben Birchall (right) accepts an award from Best Companies founder Jonathan Austin

Following record participation by almost 1,000 firms, a leading West Midlands business has once again been voted one of the UK's top companies to work for.

Birmingham-based Pertemps People Development Group (PPDG) leaped 15 places to secure 4th spot in this year's prestigious annual Top 100 Best Companies to Work For awards.

Global chief executive Colin Birchall accepted the award, on behalf of the PPDG employees at offices across the country including Birmingham, Coventry, West Bromwich, Solihull, Stoke-on-Trent, Cannock, Tamworth and other towns, at the event at Battersea Evolution in London.

Best Companies celebrates the best of business by canvassing the views of employees on a number of factors to determine workplace satisfaction.

Speaking about the achievement, Mr Birchall said: "To enter the top 10 this year is a tremendous achievement but to do so as high as number four is breathtaking.

"Just three years ago we participated and achieved 23rd place, rising to 19th position in 2010. To now be acknowledged as the UK's fourth best company to work for is testimony to a dedicated and passionate workforce. As a business we continually strive to be the best in our field whilst ensuring our employees derive satisfaction and a healthy work-life balance within their job roles.

"Not only are we a top ten organisation, Best Companies has rated us as a three star company almost comparative to a restaurant gaining three Michelin stars. We were ranked second overall in the perception that employees have of the company and their peers, something we're particularly proud of."

PPDG employee benefits include: long-service awards, discretionary bonuses, an award-winning payroll giving scheme, flexible working, charitable match funding, personal training and development schedules, health scheme and secondment opportunities.

Around 90% of the senior management team has been promoted internally and almost one third of all employees were formerly long-term unemployed.

PPDG is recognised as one of the UK's leaders in addressing unemployment and social exclusion having helped more than 100,000 long-term unemployed people into sustained jobs or self-employment. Over 130,000 people have received vocational skills training and more than 175,000 people have benefitted from a range of professional information, advice and guidance services.

Mr Birchall concluded: "At PPDG we recognise our employees as being our strongest asset and as such we make it our priority to ensure that coming to work is an enjoyable experience."