A happy and motivated workforce has provided a firm base for property consultancy Davis Langdon. Employee satisfaction is mirrored in a 78% positive score for staff finding their work stimulating and an 81% result for feeling they can make a valuable contribution to the success of the firm, ranking it 14th and 20th respectively.

Founded in 1988, London-based Davis Langdon has 1,733 staff in the UK and operates in 93 offices within 28 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific, Australia, America and Africa. Projects include the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic facilities as well as a wide spectrum of public and private buildings throughout the UK.

This year, more than 90 graduates will embark on the company’s award-winning development programme. Regular one-to-one reviews are vital and training events are open to all employees irrespective of grade or seniority. Davis Langdon offers sponsorship for external study including exam leave as well as funding costs.

A leadership development programme is also available to employees who manage others, or are in roles where it is likely they will do so in the future, and there is a mentoring programme for senior managers.

Related Internet Links

• Company website

• Davis Langdon's entry in 2007

• Davis Langdon's entry in 2006

Turning up the Heat pays off

Strong training and a sense that work is to be enjoyed add up to Heat powering past its rivals into top spot this year

Background

• Hats off to great leadership

• Getting the message across loud and clear

• Fly high with the X Factor

• Why it pays to know what you’re doing

Background

• Charity wins top small company award

• Special awards for best practice

• Rules of engagement

• 100 Best SME's to work for 2008

Multimedia

• Best Small Companies to Work For 2008

• Highlights from the awards ceremony

More than 20 employees have been promoted to partner, many of whom had joined the company as graduates, demonstrating reward for those who make a long-term commitment to the firm. The survey results reflect this; staff give the organisation an 82% positive score for their work being good for personal growth, a ranking bettered by just 11 other companies on our list. Another 82% score was returned for experience gained being invaluable and employees ranked the firm 16th nationally for managers helping them to fulfil their potential (74%).

Communication is helped by open-plan offices that house all the staff including Rob Smith, the senior partner who has been with the organisation for 26 years (from even before it became Davis Langdon).

Partners are easily accessible and team-building events, meetings and conferences are regular features of working life.

Employees feel their managers are excellent role models (72%), have confidence in their manager’s leadership skills (78%) and believe senior managers truly live the values of the organisation (78%). Members of staff also say their teams are fun to work with (81%).

Everyone has 28 days’ holiday and the company offers an additional two days’ leave for charity or volunteer work. There are a variety of flexible working options available depending on individual needs and early finishes on Fridays were introduced in January.

Employees give the consultancy an 81% positive score for the business being run on sound moral principles and 85% for pride in working for the company. They would strongly recommend working for the firm (84%).

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