It's time for our judges to employ all their skills and expertise as we reveal the finalists for this year's highly anticipated The Herald Top Employer Awards.

The finalists have been announced for The Herald Top Employer Awards in association with s1jobs.

The aim of the awards is to highlight organisations that put staff welfare and development at the heart of their operations and included in this year’s front runners are companies with far-reaching policies covering all aspects of staff welfare. Amongst the awards are Best Internal Communications, Best Training and Skills Development Initiative and Best Diversity and Inclusion Dynamic in the Workplace

The finalists in the Best Apprenticeship/Graduate Programme category, sponsored by Arnold Clark, are Balfour Beatty, Kibble, Stellar Omada and The NWH Group, while in the Best Flexible Working Initiative category, sponsored by Flexibility Works, the finalists are Cowiesburn Asset Management LLP, Flexible Childcare Services Scotland SCIO, Inspiring Scotland, Muckle Media and Safehinge Primera.

This year there are 11 categories, each aimed at rewarding progressive businesses that show how much they value their employees through well-thought-out policies and initiatives which have transformed their workplaces into rich and rewarding environments. 

Not only does this create a culture in which people can flourish, but there is now clear evidence that the results of such measures are greater staff retention, lower sickness rates and improved financial results.

The awards themselves will take place on Wednesday, 30 October at The Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow and this year there will be three Top Employer of the Year awards, aimed at small, medium and large businesses.

Finalists in the Inspiring Employee Culture Award, sponsored by Safe Deposits Scotland are Connect Three, Muckle Media and The NWH Group, while the outright winners of both the Employee Career Development Award and the Scottish Top Employer of the Year title, sponsored by Trump Turnberry, will be announced on the evening.

Amongst those anticipating the event is Emma Glass, Group Head of Employee Experience, Arnold Clark, who said this week:“Congratulations to every finalist, especially those in the Best Apprentice/Graduate Programme category. Every one of these employers has demonstrated an incredible appreciation of their apprentices and graduates, while also showing a remarkable sophistication in implementing teaching techniques to draw out their maximum potential.

“Every finalist should be extremely proud of the excellent work they are doing to support their workforce and to foster the next generation of employees.”

Nikki Slowey, co-founder and director at Flexibility Works, said: “The awards are always a fantastic celebration of Scottish business at its best and we love being able to meet the worthy winners and finalists after hearing so much about them. We always bump into people we know and enjoy a catch-up, as well as making new connections.”

Craig Anderson, Sales Director, s1jobs, said: “Congratulations to all of this year’s finalists. Being recognized as one of Scotland’s top employers is a testament to their dedication to creating outstanding environments. It sets a powerful example for others, and we celebrate these achievements.”

Mike Smith, Head of SafeDeposits Scotland, said: “The range of finalists across such a variety of sectors reaffirms that Scotland is a powerhouse of top employers. We congratulate all finalists, and in particular those who have been shortlisted for the Inspiring Employee Culture category, sponsored by SafeDeposits Scotland.”

And Nic Oldham, General Manager, Trump Turnberry, said: "Congratulations to all this year’s finalists. Their drive and dedication to creating exceptional workplaces that champion reward and recognition, employee wellbeing, inclusivity, sustainability and community engagement, underpinned by visionary leadership and a mission to find new and better ways of doing things -  is inspirational. Each exemplifies the qualities that we would expect our nation’s top employers to have, which in turn, set the benchmark for our business community.”

Tickets are still available for the event and these, along with more information about the awards, is available from https://newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/top-employer-awards/

Best Apprenticeship/Graduate Programme – Sponsored by Arnold Clark

  • Balfour Beatty
  • Kibble
  • Stellar Omada
  • The NWH Group

Best Diversity and Inclusion Dynamic in the Workplace

  • Balfour Beatty
  • Fife Council
  • Shepherd and Wedderburn
  • Smart Metering Systems Limited
  • The Yard

Best Flexible Working Initiative – sponsored by Flexibility Works

  • Cowiesburn Asset Management LLP
  • Flexible Childcare Services Scotland SCIO
  • Inspiring Scotland
  • Muckle Media
  • Safehinge Primera

Best Internal Communications

  • Allied Vehicles Limited
  • Flexible Childcare Services Scotland SCIO
  • NHS 24

Best Training and Skills Development Initiative

  • Cornerstone
  • Stellar Omada
  • The NWH Group

Employee Career Development Award

To be announced on the evening

Inspiring Employee Culture Award – Sponsored by Safe Deposits Scotland

  • Connect Three
  • Muckle Media
  • The NWH Group

Top Employer of the Year – Small Business (250 employees or less)

  • Alba Facilities Services Ltd
  • Be-IT Ltd
  • Billingtons Of Lenzie LTD
  • Connect Three
  • Enable Works
  • Jones Whyte
  • Muckle Media

Top Employer of the Year – Medium Business (250 – 1000 employees)

  • Kibble
  • Morton Fraser MacRoberts LLP
  • Shepherd and Wedderburn
  • The NWH Group

Top Employer of the Year – Large Business (more than 1000+ employees)

  • Balfour Beatty
  • Quarriers
  • University of Strathclyde

Scottish Top Employer of the Year  - Sponsored by Trump Turnberry

To be announced on the evening