Fylde coast trio listed among the best in the UK to work for

The annual Sunday Times list of the best employers this year features St Annes based jeweller Beaverbrooks, energy and utility management firm BiU from St Annes, and Regenda which manages housing and supported living space in Fleetwood.

Beaverbrooks has been a regular in the awards and has been named best mid-sized retailer and ranked number nine in the list.

For the second year running, the company’s chairman, Mark Adlestone OBE DL and managing director, Anna Blackburn, were also named as UK’s Best Leaders.

The national jewellery retailer, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019, also received a special award for ‘Giving Something Back’ and is the only company in Best Companies’ history to have consistently achieved a three-star accreditation for 17 consecutive years – the highest standard which reflects ‘extraordinary’ levels of workplace engagement.

Beaverbrooks donates 20 per cent of retained post-tax profits to charity and in its centenary year alone, donated £1.422m.

In a joint statement, Beaverbrooks’ chairman, Mark Adlestone OBE DL, and managing director, Anna Blackburn, said of their Sunday Times Best Companies achievements: “Beaverbrooks’ 100th anniversary year has been nothing short of incredible and to win a trio of awards and be recognised for our efforts in our centenary really is the culmination of an exceptional 12 months. We’re both honoured and privileged to be recognised as UK’s best leaders for the second year running.”

Clifton Drive North-based BiU was named one of the Best 100 Small Companies To Work For of 2020.

The business has seen growth since it was founded in 1997 with just two partners, but reaching the 100-employee mark has been all about growing organically, rather than getting involved in takeovers.

Michael Abbott, CEO of BiU, believes that the company’s deep roots in the local community are what makes it such a good employer. “I’m proud that of the last six positions we filled, five were filled by people who already live here in Lancashire.

“We are extremely proud to be on the list of the Best 100 Small Companies To Work For in 2020. It’s an achievement only made possible by the 112 bold, responsible, imaginative and together team members who power BiU.”

Regenda, which manages 13,000 homes across the North West including Fleetwood, has been awarded in the Top 15 not-for-profit companies to work for 2020

Housing association, Regenda Homes and their subsidiary estate agents Redwing, part of the Regenda Group, have been ranked 14th Best Not-for-Profit Organisations to Work for in The Sunday Times 100 top list.

This marks Regenda’s third year being in the Top 15 companies recognised in the category, alongside continuing to feature in the 75 Best Companies to Work for in the North West.