MERE weeks after being named the one of the top places to work in the UK, one of Marlow’s major employers went international for its next accolade - to take the ranking of sixth best workplace in all of Europe.

IT company Softcat was announced in May as the second best workplace in the UK Great Places to Work rankings.

And earlier this month it picked up the latest plaudit in Rome, at the European version of the rankings, having entered the ‘large company’ category for the first time.

As with the UK awards, the European rankings are determined by reviewing employee satisfaction levels. A total of 2,330 companies participated in the ranking.

Martin Hellawell, chairman of Softcat, said: “To be ranked as the 6th best workplace in the whole of Europe is just incredible and very humbling. I am a great admirer of many companies on that list and for Softcat to be ranked right up amongst the best of the best is breathtaking.

"I’m extremely proud of every employee for the work they do each day to make this company great; it’s only right that we foster a happy, rewarding work culture for them.”

Softcat, which was founded in 1993, has grown revenues from approximately £150 million to approaching £500 million in just the last four financial years.

The firm, which has been in Marlow for a decade, employs nearly 400 people at its Fieldhouse Lane home.

It now has four UK offices in Bristol, Manchester, London as well as its base in Marlow and has built a tradition of employing university leaders through its graduate programme.

Managing director Colin Brown said. “Our employees’ welfare is a bedrock for our business performance; if our staff are happy, so is our bottom line. This award is further proof that our strategy works. Who wouldn’t want to work here?

“To be ranked alongside the likes of 3 and Capital One is the icing on the cake.”

The organisation responsible for compiling the Best Workplaces list is Great Place to Work.

It uses its own workplace assessment tools to help companies interpret and improve their workplace cultures, and it uses research, based on data from more than 10 million employees in 46 countries, to share stories and insights about great workplaces around the world.

HR and recruitment executive Lillie Perkins explained what went into creating a ‘Great Place To Work’: “We give staff excellent training and do everything we can to ensure everyone feels engaged and fully aligned with the company’s values and goals.

“It’s crucial to recognise people for their achievements, so we reward high performers with uncapped commission, nights out and incredible incentive trips to exotic locations like Hawaii and Africa.

"To promote a sense of togetherness and responsibility we undertake extensive charity and CSR activities – everyone gets involved which results in a warm and caring culture.”