The Sunday Times 100 Results

Nearly 450 firms registered in the survey and the views of more than 28,000 individual employees were gathered, measuring success on key indicators including leadership, management, colleagues, pay, training, wellbeing and giving something back.

Ryder scored best out of the new entrants for personal growth, with a positive score of 86%, figuring in the top ten. Training also scored impressively and 84% of staff indicated it is of great personal benefit, while 92% said their job experience is of value to their future development. Employees also said the company makes a positive difference to the environment. Ryder Architecture managing partner, Mark Thompson, said “To be one of only two national architectural practices included is a great achievement and demonstrates continued improvement and progress despite challenging economic circumstances in recent years. It is fitting and very rewarding to get this recognition on our 60th anniversary.

“To see our development and training ethos impact so positively on staff is also particularly encouraging. It gives us a great platform to go forward with renewed confidence and energy, striving for further improvement.”

The Sunday Times business editor, Dominic O’Connell, said “Their leaders are making a canny investment in their workforce which will show results on the bottom line.”

Headquartered in Newcastle upon Tyne, with successful teams in Glasgow, Liverpool and London, Ryder was founded in 1953 under the post war pioneers of Gordon Ryder and Peter Yates, to become an acclaimed national practice. An exhibition celebrating its 60 years will be touring the country starting in Glasgow in May, and moving to London in June. There will also be exhibitions in Liverpool and Newcastle later this year.