Four firms from the Bath area are going head to head to win the title of the happiest workplace in the West of England.
Circle Bath Hospital, Occam DM, Backslash Build and M2 Bespoke – last year’s Bath winner – are competing against 10 other businesses from across the region for the accolade. 
Now in its third year, the Happiest Workplace competition attracted a record number of entries from enlightened businesses based around the West.
It is staged by Bristol-based workplace and interior design consultancy Wylde IA to recognise firms that go the extra mile to ensure their staff are cheerful and fulfilled.
The award ceremony takes place later this month when an overall regional winner will be announced along with winners from Bath, Bristol and Gloucestershire.
Wylde IA director Maxine Bennett said: “This year has been the best yet. We’ve had a fantastic selection of different organisations enter our competition to find the happiest workplace in the South West.
“We’ve seen entries from large well-known companies alongside smaller businesses and start-ups. One thing they have in common, though, is a genuine interest in the happiness and well-being of their staff and a desire to create the best working environment possible.”
Since the competition closed at the end of August, the team at Wylde IA has been busy visiting shortlisted companies to find out exactly what makes South West businesses so happy.
Last year’s winner of Bath’s Happiest Workplace award, content marketing agency M2 Bespoke, earned the prestigious title due to its beautiful rural setting near Limpley Stoke combined with innovative approach to staff wellbeing – including allowing dogs in the offices and weekly Google-style lunches.
At Backslash Build, a digital consultancy set up by a group of graduates from the University of Bath, business developer Aradhana Binani said: “As a start-up, we understand that the work environment can be especially stressful and fast-paced, but it is incredibly important to us to maintain happiness in the workplace for our employees.
“The people who work here are extremely passionate about what they do, and we believe that is the key – along with offering flexibility in the work they do and the way they do it. We encourage a good work-life balance and socials outside the office don’t hurt either!”
Also in the running for the Bath title are Circle Bath Hospital and Chilcompton-based data-driven marketing agency Occam DM.
The hospital at Peasedown St John, which opened around seven years ago, was designed by internationally renowned architects Foster and Partners. It has previously won the best building project category at the British Construction Industry Awards.
The winner of the 2017 Wylde IA Happiest Workplace Competition will be crowned at an awards ceremony in Bristol on October 19.
This year Wylde IA has joined forces with seating company Boss Design, carpet manufacturer Milliken, interior products company Vescom and iconic lamp manufacturer Anglepoise; all of which have donated prizes for the winner.
The Happiest Workplace competition is supported by Bath Business News and its sister titles.
Last year’s overall South West winner was national recruitment agency Rethink’s Bristol office. Judges found it an energising and bright workplace with natural daylight and a relaxed, fun atmosphere – a far cry from the traditional, high-pressure, target-driven recruitment agency approach.
