Best Place to Work – SME Consulting Firm

Align Property Partners

Our business places employee wellbeing, professional development, and meaningful engagement at the forefront of our operations. We foster a supportive culture through flexible working, mental health initiatives, and regular wellbeing surveys. This approach has resulted in exceptionally low staff turnover, supported by clear career pathways, competitive remuneration, and inclusive opportunities. Our structured training programmes, mentorship schemes, and commitment to professional accreditation enable staff to progress from entry-level to senior roles. What sets us apart is our focus on empowering both technicians and engineers, challenging industry hierarchies, and promoting diversity. We engage in continuous dialogue with our workforce to understand challenges and tailor support. Our leadership in modernising professional development regulations, shared through industry forums, demonstrates a clear step change. By sharing lessons learned, we inspire change and set an example for others in the sector to follow.

GB Card & Partners

GB Card & Partners (GBCP) is a deserving candidate to be named ‘Best Place to Work SME’.The company is at the forefront in the UK Civil Engineering sector by operating on a flatline organizational structure that incorporates all members of staff in company decision making and the direction of corporate growth.GBCP has complete transparency, no gender pay discrepancies, nor any glass ceilings preventing advancement.Fairness, respect, and appreciation are the qualities afforded to all working at GBCP. The company is keen that employees embrace training opportunities that the company provides to better their professional standing or qualifications. GBCP allows employees to use company time in these pursuits.GBCP believe that the company should engage in social and community activities and to do so on provide company time.Employee health and wellbeing is at the forefront of the company’s priorities and initiatives are in place to assist workers 24/7.

Knight Architects

Knight Architects is one of the world's leading bridge design architectural practices. Established in 2006, the studio is responsible for 70+ bridges constructed across the world, having designed hundreds more. Our reputation and specialism demand designers with unique skills and interests, which is why attracting and retaining the best staff, is at the core of our business model. Launched in late 2023, our comprehensive incentive programme is a strategic investment in the collective wellbeing of our team, building a culture of care, growth, and shared success. It formed part of the upgraded benefits package and spoke to all aspects of life/work balance as well as Knight Architects' values and has resulted in a significant drop in employee turnover as well as the attraction of several new staff from across the globe.

Laminar Projects

Most companies prioritise financial outcomes as the end goal. But as our co-founder Dave puts it, “I believe that optimising an organisation for the flourishing of its people is not only the right thing to do, but if you get that right, everything else – finances, mission, and growth – will follow.” It’s a subtle distinction, but it’s shaped how we operate, from how we recruit to how we work together. In 2024, we were proud to be certified as a Great Place to Work (GPTW), with 91% of our people agreeing that Laminar Projects is a great place to work – far above the 54% average for other UK companies. Subsequent recognition as one of the UK's Best Workplaces in Construction, Engineering & Property™ shows that our focus on our people's learning, development, and all-round wellbeing has truly set us apart.

Link Engineering

Link Engineering excels as a workplace by prioritizing employee wellbeing through different programms (Link Lunch Learn, Link Walk Talk, Core KPI encouraging self-development, Neurodiversity talking sessions, finacial awarness, and fostering professional development through Technical Workshops, creating workflows, encouraging employees to persue professional qualifications). Unique initiatives, driven by open dialogue with the employees, set us apart. We actively solicit feedback to understand risks and challenges, demonstrating a willingness to learn and improve. A recent, significant step change in our wellbeing strategy was to train 3 x mental health first aiders who can offer enhanced mental health resources. We have also recently offered more flexible working opportunities which exemplifies our commitment. This transformation, fueled by employee input, serves as a model for the sector. We don't just follow industry standards; we set our own standards by listening to our Team, creating a supportive environment where the Team and the business thrive together.

Management Commercial Engineering

At MCE, we foster a workplace where people feel valued, supported and inspired. Our commitment to well-being, professional development and inclusivity ensures our team thrives. Flexible work arrangements, a comprehensive Health & Wellness Program and regular personal check-ins prioritise employee well-being, while our Employee Assistance Program provides confidential support.We retain top talent (while many competitors are letting theirs go) through competitive salaries, performance-based bonuses and a culture of recognition. Our mentoring program, CPD opportunities and networking events drive professional growth, with many employees achieving Chartered status through senior mentorship.Innovation and adaptability set us apart, with a proactive pivot into renewable energy and water sectors. Our Diversity & Inclusion Policy promotes equal opportunities for all. Open dialogue ensures employee feedback shapes our initiatives. MCE is a great place to work - we won the prestigious Business NSW Employer of Choice Award 2023 - we are setting an industry benchmark.

Metis Consultants

Metis Consultants is a people-oriented civil and environmental engineering consultancy, and a certified B Corporation. We are dedicated to enhancing the environment and enriching communities. Our team offers an agile and personal alternative to bigger civil engineering consultancies – tailoring our services to meet our clients’ specific needs. Metis became an Employee-Owned Business in 2025. Our uniquely people-centric culture is best encapsulated in our Motivation Survey, which covers a multitude of our employees’ financial, mental and social priorities. Our employees thrive in the environment that we have transparently developed, with a high promotion rate and a significant rate of employees obtaining chartership. We’re also incredibly proud of our approach to employee wellbeing, the leadership training programmes that we run, our strategy for developing and retaining employees (including graduates), our new internal training suite, our culture and social traditions, our large range of benefits, and the demographic diversity of our workforce.

Mine Environment Management

Mine Environment Management Ltd. (MEM) is a small innovative Welsh geoenvironmental engineering consultancy which aims to lead by example. Since mid 2023, the organisation has grown from seven team members to thirteen, including seven nationalities and a 9:4 female to male split. In late 2023, the Company relocated from Ebbw Vale to Cardiff to allow South Wales colleagues to walk to work, improving work/life balance. MEM offers enhanced annual leave, pension, private healthcare and bonus scheme, and in 2024 annual leave entitlement increased to allow team members to take their birthday off. MEM has regular team gatherings which alternate between North and South Wales, most recently at Portmeirion. The team supports one another and celebrates individual contributions, whether on client projects, research, papers and presentations.

QED Structures

Our dedication to our employees’ wellbeing, professional growth, and overall satisfaction makes us a standout candidate for the 2024 NCE Award for Best Place to Work. We ensure employee happiness through involvement, feedback, and sustainable practices. We are proud of our positive, inclusive, and innovative environment, fostered by initiatives like the Social Values Committee, Sustainability Focus Group, Flexible Working Hours, Deltek Software, and team performance assessments.Social Values Committee and Sustainability help us, and our employees contribute to improving our companies carbon emissions, involvement in the community, and improving professional development in sustainable designs and construction methods, showing a clear willingness to learn and ensuring employee satisfaction. Flexible Working Hours improve wellbeing and minimise turnover, while team performance assessments provide valuable feedback and insights, supported by an external party. We are committed to setting the standard for excellence in our industry.

SRC Infrastructure

At SRC, employee wellbeing is fundamental to our success, shaping our culture and business approach. We believe that a supportive, engaging workplace fosters both individual growth and organisational excellence. By prioritising work-life balance, professional development, and open communication, we create an environment where employees feel valued, motivated, and empowered to contribute their best work.Our leadership model emphasises continuous learning, collaboration, and proactive engagement, ensuring that employees have opportunities to develop their skills and progress in their careers. A culture of trust and flexibility allows us to attract and retain top talent while fostering a sense of belonging and purpose.SRC stands apart by combining technical expertise with a people-first approach, demonstrating that high-performance organisations can thrive through inclusivity, adaptability, and shared success. By setting new standards in employee engagement and workplace culture, we aim to lead by example, driving positive change across the industry.