Pictured above: Ben Reid, Chief Executive at The Midcounties
Co-operative
The Midcounties Co-operative is celebrating after being ranked
24th in The Sunday Times top 100 best companies to work for.
The annual award acknowledges businesses from across the country
for their commitment to creating the best possible working
environment.
Ben Reid, Chief Executive at The Midcounties Co-operative, said:
"Receiving this level of recognition from the Sunday Times is such
a fantastic accolade to be given, especially with the high calibre
of dynamic organisations we were up against.
"It is such a huge achievement for Midcounties to be positioned
alongside the likes of the other big national players included in
the announcement."
Among the qualities that won over the judges was the importance
Midcounties places on qualifications and training and that it
recognises investing in the future is a key objective for the
business and its growth.
Since 2008 the Society has paid for more than 700 employees to
undertake National Vocational Qualification training, with managers
offered opportunities to develop their careers and graduate
vacancies available throughout the business.
The Sunday Times not only recognised the Society's commitment to
colleague welfare, but also its environmental and ethical
practices.
Ben added: "As a business we always strive to be fair, open and
honest with everyone we come into contact with, something which is
lived and breathed throughout the Society."
Projects aimed at making the business and the communities it
serves more environmentally friendly were also acknowledged by the
judging panel.
Ben said: "This accolade is a true reflection of all the hard
work and commitment towards the business shown by colleagues, and I
thank them for that. I am particularly proud that there is such a
strong sense of pride within our Society."
Midcounties is a member-owned provident society, employing
nearly 8,350 people across a variety of sectors which include
Retail, Pharmacy, Funeral, Travel and Childcare.
It is the second largest independent co-operative in the UK,
with gross sales of £787m. Employees are based at 538
locations across the south east and West Midlands and colleagues
that sign up as members are given the opportunity to sit on the
board of directors and voice how they wish the business should be
run.