The Sunday Times has released its annual Best Places to Work list for 2026, naming 22 companies headquartered in the South West region of the UK. The list, compiled in partnership with employee experience platform WorkL, recognizes top employers across various industries, including hospitality, technology, legal, financial services, and education.
South West Companies Recognised
Among the notable inclusions is Butcombe Group, a pub operator and brewer based in Wrington. The group, formerly known as Liberation, made the list for the second consecutive year. Chief executive Jonathan Lawson attributed the recognition to the team's dedication and collaboration, stating, "At the heart of our success is the dedication and collaboration shown by our people every day."
Wiltshire-based law firm Goughs Solicitors, employing around 130 staff across seven offices, was included for the third year in a row. Managing partner Matthew Drew expressed pride in the achievement, noting that it reflects the firm's culture and values. "As our people are at the centre of everything we do, we strive to create a workplace where colleagues feel valued, supported, and empowered," he said.
Commercial, a business transformation firm based in Cheltenham, also made the list. The company employs nearly 300 people and generates annual turnover of approximately £98 million. Recent employee-focused initiatives include refurbishing its headquarters with workspaces tailored for neurodiverse staff, a multi-faith room, and dedicated spaces for employees with children or dogs. Co-founder and managing director Simone Hindmarch said the recognition was "especially meaningful" because it reflects the culture built over more than three decades.
Other South West Honorees
Cornwall-based egg producer St Ewe Free Range Eggs, Swindon marketing agency Mole Digital, and Exeter construction group Coreus were also included. The full list of South West companies features 22 firms in alphabetical order, including Awdry Law, Butcombe Group, Commercial, Compass CHC, Coreus Group, Family Adventures Group, Goughs Solicitors, Hall & Woodhouse, InterWorks, iplicit, Joint Operations, Mole Digital, Oculus Legal Group, Paragon Skills, Parmenion, Rappor, Shaping Lives, St Ewe Free Range Eggs, Taxi Studio, The Cinnamon Trust, Xpedite, and Zestec Renewable Energy.
Methodology and Significance
Inclusion in the list is determined by an independent employee survey covering six aspects of engagement: wellbeing, empowerment, job satisfaction, and more. Zoe Thomas, editor of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work, commented, "In an evolving world of work, Britain's leading employers are helping staff forge careers that count today – and in the future. The thread joining them is the belief that a happy workforce is a stepping stone to better performance, faster growth, and bigger profits."
