If you’re thinking about looking for a graduate job in the new year, what better place to start than a list of the best companies to work for in the UK in 2020?
We’ve based our list on Glassdoor’s ‘50 Best Places to Work 2019’. The company uses feedback from UK-based employees posted on the site, plus their numerical ratings (on a scale from one to five) from the past year.
Read on to discover the best organizations to work for in the UK to get a head start on your 2020 job hunt…
10) Royal London
The tenth best company to work for in the UK is insurance provider Royal London, the largest mutual life, pensions and investment company in the country. The organization’s employees enthuse about the sense of teamwork. One employee said: “Everyone is really friendly, approachable and helpful. I have never been in a work environment where the sense of team is so high”.
Another employee described the company as having: “so many talented people who are passionate about what they do [which] makes for a great culture and great results”.
While the company doesn’t have a specific graduate scheme, they offer roles at all levels, with entry-level roles perfect for math, finance or accounting grads.
9) Taylor Wimpey
FTSE 100 company Taylor Wimpey is one of the largest residential developers in the UK, building over 10,000 homes every year. Employees praise the “fantastic environment, great culture, support, training opportunities, business direction and strategic approach to the industry”.
Taylor Wimpey offer a two-year rotational graduate scheme, with participants completing four six-month placements in all areas of the business, including production, commercial, technical, sales and marketing, customer service, land and finance. The scheme is open to graduates with a degree in any discipline.
8) SAP
German-based software giant SAP ranks among the best companies to work for in the UK, and its employees are enthusiastic about the company. One commented: “SAP invests A LOT on people's wellbeing and growth. The company culture supports helping each other as well. I've been benefiting from shadowing and mentoring of amazing people around the world.”
The company offers several graduate schemes in different areas of the business. These include the Silicon Valley Next Talent Program (in Development), the SAP Academy (in Sales), the Global Finance Rotational Program and the HR Early Talent Program.
7) Hiscox
Global insurance company Hiscox is seventh in Glassdoor’s roundup of the best companies to work for in the UK. The company attempts to challenge the norms of an insurance company, with a real focus on their employees from day one. One employee said the biggest pro for working at Hiscox is: “the people! There is a really great culture and a very strong values-driven ethos. The structure is relatively flat with easy access to talk to people at all levels throughout the company.’
Hiscox offers two graduate programs, including the underwriting graduate program and the business graduate program. The 27-month schemes are open to graduates with a minimum 2:1 honors degree (or international equivalent).
6) Sky Betting & Gaming
There’s no need to take a gamble on employee satisfaction when you work at Sky Betting & Gaming, as the company achieved glowing reviews on Glassdoor such as: “Vibrant, exciting, fast-paced. A place to think big and really achieve things you couldn't in other businesses. People have really strong ideas and are able to put them into practice.”
Sky offer a Tech Academy Graduate Program, open to graduates of all degree disciplines. This can put you on the path towards a company-sponsored master’s degree in Digital and Technology Solutions, accredited by Sheffield Hallam University.
5) Salesforce
Salesforce is an American cloud-based software company, primarily focused on CRM. With over 10,000 employees worldwide, this global tech giant received the following praise on Glassdoor: “Teams are full of talented individuals and the company supports your career aspirations and development.”
The company offers a number of internships and graduate jobs across the globe, as well as more specialized research roles for students with master’s or PhD level qualifications.
4) Bromford
Bromford is one of the largest housing associations in the UK, with over 44,000 homes across central and south-west England. They also get high praise from employees, such as: “The teams I have worked in have been great, [with] very dedicated staff, [and a] fantastic atmosphere…It is a pleasure to come to work!”
Although the company doesn’t have a specific grad scheme, their Bristol Housing Partnership (BHP) Academy, launched earlier this year, aims to attract young people to careers in housing development.
3) XPO Logistics
Transport and logistics services giant XPO Logistics takes the bronze medal position in Glassdoor’s list. The company has a staggering 100,000 employees spread over 1,537 locations worldwide. Despite the company’s huge size, one employee said: “XPO feels like a family. Everyone helps each other to achieve success.”
XPO has a thriving graduate program, lasting two years with participants completing four six-month assignments in transport or logistics.
2) Bain & Company
A name that will be familiar to any business student, Bain & Company are one of the ‘Big Three’ management consultancy firms. Employees praised the “fantastic culture [and] smart, motivated, inspirational people who genuinely care about each other and their clients”.
Bain offers a summer internship program for bachelor’s degree candidates, which is a great way to get your foot in the door. Graduates can then apply for associate consultant (AC) roles - although, be warned, the process is notoriously competitive!
1) Anglian Water
Taking the top spot in the UK is Anglian Water, a water utilities company operating in the east of England. One employee said: “The workforce is clearly proud, passionate and really cares about the work they do, which results in a really positive culture and working environment.”
Anglian Water offers five graduate programs, all of which last two years in duration. These include the water services & water recycling operational graduate programs; the customer & wholesale services graduate program; the information services graduate program and the strategic delivery & commercial assurance graduate program.
