Karma and Engine make Sunday Times 100 Best Companies list

Karma Communications Group and Engine have been made it onto The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For 2017 list. The Communications Store has made its debut in the 2017 Best Small Companies to Work For list.

The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For 2017

In the main list, the highest entry, taking 39th place, is Karma Communications Group, which includes PR firm Kaper amongst its roster.

Founded in 2000, Karma has a staff of 248, 63% of which earn more than £35000 a year. The average staff age is 33, and there is a 52:48 male/female ratio.

Senior managers are said to play an active role in social as well as creative endeavours. There are monthly birthday lunches, as well as an annual subsidised ski trip.

In November 2016, Karma Communications Group was bought by global professional services provider Accenture, which came 15th in this year’s Sunday Times 30 Best Big Companies list.

Engine, which includes PR firms MHP and Mischief among its roster, took the 74th spot this year. The comms group has been on the list for the last seven years.

Engine, which launched in 2005, has a staff of 720 operating from its London HQ and three satellite offices around the country. 64% of the team earn £35000+, and there is a 53:47 male/female ratio.

CEO Debbie Klein has allocated a bonus budget to every department for spontaneous rewards to those who go “the extra mile”. All new joiners also attend a welcome breakfast with Klein and group MD Simon Peck.

Other staff incentives include extra days of leave, themed get-togethers, weekly yoga classes and a choir.

Last year, team-building exercises included a day of challenges on a private island on the Thames.

The Communications Store has made its first appearance on The Sunday Times 100 Best Small Companies to Work For 2017 list, taking the 100th spot.

Based in London, clients include Jimmy Choo and Topshop. The average age of its 142-strong team is 30. Some 48% of the entire team earn £35000+.

The agency gives each of its employees 48 hours a year to take on volunteer work, and raised £20,000 last year matching their fundraising work.

Training provided for staff received “overwhelming” positive feedback, with programmes for personal growth and one-on-one coaching sessions included.

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