Hertfordshire's Peach Makes The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies List Three Years Running

The Peach Pub Company, which runs two pubs in Hertfordshire, has been named in The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies list for the third year running. Peach was crowned number 48 in the 19th annual edition of the list which ranks some of the best businesses in the country to work for, based on the opinions of the people who work there.

The Sunday Times' annual survey and ranking of the UK's best employers aims to celebrate the businesses and organisations that strive to make a difference, something which the newspaper believes is more important today than ever. Every good enterprise knows that success begins with the team, and that being a good employer is the best advantage they can have.

This is a belief shared by Peach who work hard to look after their people and give them great training and development opportunities, as Peach managing director Hamish Stoddart explains.

peach pubs

The White Horse in Harpenden

"When we started Peach in 2002, we had one pub and a handful of people running it. We made a success of that pub but we knew that to build something sustainable long-term, we needed to put our people first and share success with them. So we really focussed on our teams, investing in training to help people fulfil their potential. We also created a set of principles we work to, such as 'encouraging individuality' and 'serve the good stuff.'

"The Sunday Times survey asks our team questions on training, wellbeing, satisfaction and leadership. Everyone answers anonymously. We're hugely proud when they say their job is good for their personal growth (a 77% positive score this year) and that the business is run on strong principles (86%).

"Last year we boosted training across the group, including creating new role-specific training courses. We also now run chef de partie apprenticeships and a leadership development programme. We aim to promote from within - last year 72% of managerial vacancies were filled internally.

"We feel we are striving to make a difference for our people, but having their endorsement of this, alongside getting recognition as a great employer from this prestigious award for the third year running is really special," he says.

Peach runs Brookmans in Brookmans Park and The White Horse in Harpenden.