Business West, the group behind Bath Chamber of Commerce, and Bath-based housing association and housebuilder Curo have been named among the 100 best not-for-profit organisations to work for.
Curo, one of the South West’s largest landlords, appears in 44th place in the prestigious table – which was published last weekend by the Sunday Times – while Business West, the region’s largest business organisation, is at 85. It is the fourth year running Business West has appeared in the report.
Curo manages more than 13,000 homes and builds hundreds of new ones every year. Its properties range from starter homes to Grade I listed buildings, in locations from rural villages to city centres. It also has an extensive long-term development and land acquisition programme.
Business West can trace its roots back nearly 200 years to its formation as the Bristol Chamber of Commerce Industry and Shipping. Today it is a powerful lobbying and business support group, running chambers of commerce across the region as well as the Initiatives in Bath, Bristol and Wiltshire.
Managing director Phil Smith said: “People are everything at Business West, and to be recognised by the Sunday Times 100 Best Not-for-Profit organisations to work for four years in a row is fantastic.
"As a not-for-profit company with 200 staff, we aim to make this area the best place to live, learn and work.
“Some 21,000 businesses trust us to help them start, grow, innovate and trade internationally - as well as lobby government on their behalf, so it is vital that our people feel valued and that they do the right thing.
“The dedication and commitment shown by Business West staff to ensuring the prosperity and success of the region is an endless source of inspiration, and I am immensely proud of the civically minded culture that we have here, which is infectious.
“I joined the forebear to Business West in 1991, became managing director in 2005, and I’ve been here ever since.
“Had I not been lucky enough to work with such an inspirational group of people over the years, I cannot say for certain that I would still be here and there are many others like me.
“It’s a cliché I know, but people really are an organisation’s most valuable asset. If you treat people well and help them to fulfil their true potential, as a leader or manager you will achieve just rewards.”
Organisations in the not-for-profit list must employ at least 50 employees, achieve one of the highest 100 highest BCI scores in the category and be either a charity, an organisation set up for community benefit, a public sector organisation or a Community Interest Company (CIC).
Last week Bath Business News revealed that regional accountancy group Bishop Fleming, Bath-headquartered law firm Royds Withy King and automotive learning and development agency RTS Group had been included in the accompanying Top 100 Best Companies to Work For list.
Bishop Fleming, which runs Bath’s largest accountancy office, appeared at number 26 – making it the highest-placed professional services firm in the South West – while Royds Withy King was at 62 and RTS Group, based at Notton, near Chippenham, made its debut at 80 on the beat small firms list.
