Best Employers Eastern Region

Treatt are an ingredients manufacturer and solutions provider to the global flavour, fragrance and consumer goods markets. We provide everything from 100% natural ingredients to synthetics to impactful aroma chemicals. We are proud of our fun, engaged culture, which is central to how we deliver results and success.

Treat have an inclusive culture and are committed to ensuring all staff believe they belong. They actively encourage employee involvement and participation in all aspects of the business from input into decision making, enabling staff to participate in share schemes and giving peer to peer awards. The company has invested in Wellbeing and again they have focused on educating and encouraging staff to “Think Well Live Well and Be Well. They have developed some wellbeing pillars which ensure a good foundation with champions, action plans and use of pulse surveys to ensure they are on track. Their CSR is outstanding supporting several charities and local schools. On the whole this is a great company to work for.

Judges' comment

Beckett Investment Management Group is an award-winning firm that has been supporting clients for over 33 years through independent advice, employee benefits and wealth management. We have 85 staff who work from four offices across the East of England.

An outstanding employer who fully understands and is fully committed to engagement at all levels which is demonstrated by exceptionally high employee engagement score and survey participation score. The judges scored Becketts highly in every category and employee well-being, individual development and comprehensive reward and recognition strategies stood out.

Judges' comment

We produce health supplements that are proven to work. We know they work because they are backed by science. The scientific hub of Cambridge is part of our identity. It's where we call home. It's where we have developed close ties with world-leading institutions and highly regarded nutritional and medical experts who advise us. We treat every individual's health and wellbeing with the importance it deserves. It's at the heart of everything we do and it's why our customers trust us. Our science, your wellbeing.

Authentically honest and refreshing in their submission, they were honest and candid in their award entry. Loved to see the smiling zoom group shot! Weekly catch-ups and reflections on the previous week felt like a good way to keep positive momentum.

Judges' comment

The Holkham Estate on the North Norfolk coast is a diversified business centred around the magnificent Holkham Hall and its parkland. The Estate comprises visitor and land-based businesses and employs up to 300 team members in the peak season.

The Holkham Estate let the voices of their own employees tell the story about what it is like to work there. It is an impressive story of mutual passion to make Holkham Estate a best employer, a story of pride in their work and their brand and a story of deep-seated care for others. From the imaginative “lockdown learning” programme, the GO SEE and GO HELP initiatives, right through to the simply amazing fundraising efforts and the delivery of 600 meals a week to NHS Staff during the pandemic, Holkham's record in the last two years shows what can be done to create a workplace in which the individual is considered. It isn't all about written policy and values here – more about sheer, DNA level commitment.

Judges' comment

Specialists in document, email and knowledge management, Tiger Eye support professional services firms to work smarter with their data. Renowned for the team's unparalleled technical knowledge and exceptional customer service, Tiger Eye delivers ‘expertise, from the team that listens' through software solutions, custom development services, technical support, training and more.

Some of the L&D activities in this submission were particularly interesting. A rest or learning day per week for everyone is a bold move and it is good to see a business committed to trying new approaches.

Judges' comment

PolicyBee is a specialist, professional insurance broker with a knack for covering freelancers, sole traders, small businesses and charities. We're independent and we're digital. Over the years we've helped tens of thousands of businesses and charities get the insurance they need - quickly and easily, and without breaking the bank.

There was a strong sense in this submission of investment into the development of their employees as well as attention to the wellbeing of their colleagues, not just through an outsourced service provision but by listening to others in the team.

Judges' comment

Centre 33 has been supporting young people in Cambridgeshire for 40 years. We offer young people a safe space where they can receive free, confidential and professional support in a non-judgemental and welcoming setting.

Thurne has an international reputation for high quality, precision engineered industrial slicing systems for bacon, cooked meats and cheese applications, and builds on 50 years of experience in the industry. Part of The Middleby Corporation since 2015, Thurne's commitment to innovation is stronger than ever, with a renewed focus on bringing great savings and gains in production efficiency to processors around the globe.

Strong leadership with a focus on communication and personal development. This combined with succession planning clearly contributes to the longevity of the organisation.

Judges' comment

IPRS Group is an award-winning independent clinical organisation delivering a wide range of services throughout the UK. The group are proud to support their colleagues and ensure they are at the forefront of everything we do as an organisation.

IPRS is a company that really values its 200 strong workforce. Everyone is driven by the company purpose to Help People. Whether it's through its reward and recognition, great communication, CSR or wellbeing initiatives one feels that employee engagement really matters. All systems and processes are aligned to ensure a great employee experience. Of particular note is the importance the company places on L&D and they have also made very good strides on Inclusion and Diversity where there are some really concrete tools in place to become a truly inclusive company where everyone feels they belong.

Judges' comment

Big C, established in Norfolk in 1980, is your local cancer charity. Through our support, research, equipment and education, we make a difference to the lives of local people affected by cancer. Big C has four support and information centres across Norfolk and provides support by telephone and online.

The Big C scored well in terms of overall engagement and survey participation and the judges gave them solid scores in all categories. Unsurprisingly the Big C operates a clear set of values and has used motivational maps to understand the engagement drivers of its employees. Its standout is its commitment to inclusion and diversity, particularly in encouraging the recruitment for those with disabilities and focus on learning and individual progression.

Judges' comment