微密圈

Earlier this year 微密圈 announced the names of all the firms that made it onto the shortlists for our prestigious annual 微密圈 Awards.

Now we are shining the spotlight on each category in turn and publishing a selection of the images that impressed the judges.

Today鈥檚 shortlist is for 微密圈鈥檚 Good Employer of the Year.

Black & White Engineering

Black & White Engineering is a global firm of more than 800 people across 18 cities, committed to developing future-ready engineers through a culture of inclusion, wellbeing and continuous learning.

With 95% UK and Europe staff retention and 93% employee pride, the company supports career growth via its Global Academy, DEI strategy and flexible policies.

Awarded five-star employer status by WorkBuzz, it promotes balance through hybrid working, mental health initiatives and volunteering 鈥� reflecting its mission to shape the future of sustainable infrastructure.

Currie & Brown

Currie & Brown puts people first, embedding investment in careers, wellbeing and inclusion at the heart of its culture.

From apprenticeships and leadership programmes to flexible working and mental health support, employees are empowered to grow and thrive.

A diverse, supportive environment is underpinned by DEI strategies, listening forums and community engagement. With 20% of staff in early-career roles and a strong focus on continuous learning, Currie & Brown fosters a workplace where individuals feel valued, connected and set up for long-term success.

Gleeds

Gleeds is committed to creating a workplace where opportunity, inclusion and wellbeing are accessible to all.

With a refreshed employee value proposition and a focus on inclusive leadership, Gleeds supports career growth through global training programmes, mentoring and professional development.

Its fairness, inclusion and respect strategy is championed by employee-led ally networks, while wellbeing is prioritised through mental health initiatives and flexible policies. From enhanced family leave to community volunteering, Gleeds fosters a supportive culture where colleagues are empowered to grow, lead and thrive.

Kori Construction

Kori Construction fosters an employee-first culture, empowering its team through clear career progression, flexible working and industry-leading wellbeing support.

With standout initiatives including private healthcare, mental health first aiders, volunteering opportunities and performance-based recognition, staff are supported to thrive both personally and professionally. Training and development are central, alongside regular feedback and open communication.

With a low staff turnover rate of 11.5%, Kori continues to grow as a leading contractor in the later living sector 鈥� delivering exceptional buildings through a motivated, valued workforce.

MESH Construction Consultancy

MESH is a values-driven consultancy with a people-first ethos, fostering a supportive, inclusive culture where wellbeing, flexibility and growth are prioritised.

With just 30 team members, MESH delivers high-quality work, backed by strong collaboration, low staff turnover and robust training through its academy and CPD programme.

Mental health support, flexible benefits and open recognition ensure a workplace where individuals thrive. Guided by values of trust, passion, agility and collaboration, MESH continues to grow a workplace where people truly want to work.

Mott MacDonald

Mott MacDonald is a wholly employee-owned consultancy with a people-first culture shaped by its PRIDE (progress/respect/integrity/drive/excellence) values and employee code.

Every colleague has a stake in the business, driving shared success. Equality, diversity and inclusion are embedded into hiring, leadership and career progression, while wellbeing is supported through a holistic six-pillar framework.

The firm leads the sector with transparent pay gap reporting and enhanced parental benefits, positioning it as an industry benchmark for fairness, accountability and continuous improvement.

Plan A Consultants

Plan A has had a transformative year, becoming an employee ownership trust and enhancing training, wellbeing and inclusion.

Weekly CPDs, revamped inductions, mentoring and leadership coaching underpin a strong learning culture.

DEI is embedded through quarterly KPIs, inclusive policies, training and employee-led feedback. Wellbeing is supported via flexible working, mental health initiatives and wellness activities.

Plan A also champions industry outreach through mentoring, volunteering and education partnerships, including PlanBEE and youth programmes 鈥� reflecting its commitment to a respectful, inclusive and people-focused workplace.

RED Engineering Design

RED Engineering Design has embedded inclusion and wellbeing across its operations. Its inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA) committee and its women in RED (WiRED) group lead initiatives on gender, neurodiversity, ethnicity and LGBTIQA+, while training, 鈥渓unch and learns鈥�, and external partnerships drive inclusive culture.

The RED Wellness programme supports physical, emotional and financial wellbeing, earning a gold award from Mind. Benefits include mental health support, flexible working and enhanced family leave.

RED also promotes careers in engineering through global STEM outreach, internships and school partnerships, inspiring thousands of young people annually.

Rider Levett Bucknall

Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) is a values-led business focused on people, equity and opportunity. With 1,233 UK staff, RLB provides tailored training, leadership development and mentoring.

Its diversity, equity and inclusion strategy uses data and targeted support to promote fairness. A holistic wellbeing approach covers emotional, mental, financial and social health, shaped by employee feedback. Enhanced benefits include flexible bank holidays and increased paternity leave.

Outreach includes school engagement, internships and the David Bucknall Scholarship, widening access to construction careers.

Useful Simple Trust

The Useful Simple Trust, a B Corp and employee benefit trust, champions people-centred, purpose-driven change in the built environment.

This year it was named B Corp of the Year and awarded Gold Carbon Literate Organisation status, demonstrating its integration of learning, inclusion and climate leadership.

The company uses strategic skills mapping to shape training around climate adaptation, digital innovation and regenerative design, with 3,491 learning hours tracked in 2024.

It has launched initiatives on critical thinking and carbon literacy, and has formed sector partnerships with the Royal Academy of Engineering and with Constructionarium. A wellbeing-centred workload protocol cut overtime by 23%, while inclusive leadership reforms doubled leadership approval and increased staff satisfaction to 73%.