Bath firms have been urged not to miss out when a new contest aimed at finding the West of England’s happiest workplace returns for a second year.
The inaugural competition, staged by workplace and interior design consultancy Wylde IA, has just ended – with no Bath area businesses making it to the final.
While staff from a number of Bath businesses entered, none made the final shortlist – despite the city boasting an ever-growing number of forward-looking and creative organisations.
Wylde IA director Maxine Bennett said: “Great workspaces attract and retain great staff – and that feeds through into higher quality work and less absenteeism.
“We know Bath has lots of offices which are far from its humdrum, boring and run of the mill. We’d love to showcase them in the Wylde Happiest Workplace competition when it returns next year.”
Bristol-based Wylde IA has been active in the Bath area since it launched 18 years ago and is responsible for the cutting-edge interiors at law firm Thrings’ Queen Square office, accountants Baker Tilly’s Bath office and at the Royal High School, Bath.
First prize went to Shiner, the Bristol-based skateboard, equipment and clothing distribution firm, with Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep animators Aardman and magazine publisher Immediate Media runners up.
Immediate, which is based in Bristol city centre, has recently welcomed a large contingent of Bath-based staff after acquiring a number of titles from city-based media group Future.
The high-profile competition was supported by Bath Business News, whose editor Robert Buckland sat on the judging panel.
Shiner received its award from the Mayor of Bristol and former president of the Royal Institute of British Architects George Ferguson at a ceremony in Bristol’s Engine Shed innovation hub. It also received a desk makeover from Wylde IA to help make its workplace even happier.
Details of the next Wylde Happiest Workplace contest will be released shortly. Bosses cannot enter their own business – nominations must come from staff.
Pictured: Mayor of Bristol George Ferguson, centre, and Wylde IA's Maxine Bennett, far left, with the team from winners Shiner
