Rygor Commercials and Brayleys Cars have made debut appearances in Great Place to Work’s UK Best Workplaces 2023 rankings of the country’s top employers.

The two automotive retail businesses joined fellow AM Awards 2023-shortlisted business TrustFord in the rankings which were revealed in ceremonies held at London’s famous Tobacco Dock this week.

Rygor was ranked 42nd in the event’s Medium category, for businesses with 251-1,000 employees, with Brayleys making its debut in 74th place.

Call handling service provider MoneyPenny also made its in the same category, finishing in an impressive 35th place.

TrustFord was 40th place in the Large business category, for organisations with 1,001 or more staff, with Volkswagen Financial Services being another automotive sector business to feature, in 21st position.

Marshall Motor Group failed to appear in the rankings for the first time in eight years following its acquisition by Constellation Automotive.

Speaking to AM about the prospect of making a UK Best Workplaces debut recently, Brayleys Cars managing director Paul Brayley said: “Its would mean a huge amount to the business and to me personally.

“We’ve made a number of changes to benefit ourt staff recently and we take great pride in the business feeling very much like a family. To have that recognised would be fantastic.”

Among changes to improve staff wellbeing and engagement, Brayleys Cars has appointed an “independent whistle-blower”.

It has also sought to enhance diversity and inclusion policies as well as offering enhanced pay, more sociable working hours and maternity leave terms that now offer nine months at 90% of pay.

Rygor Commercials had already been included in the UK’s Best Workplaces for Wellbeing list in February this year.

Rygor Group’s managing director John Keogh said: “I am so proud that Rygor Commercials has been recognised as one of the best places to work in the UK. Winning this award demonstrates the business’ focus on employee wellbeing, engagement, and company culture, and these are all things that we are looking forward to building on even further in the future.

“We put our customers and our team members at the heart of every decision we make, and Rygor Group’s next chapter is shaping up to be incredibly exciting.

“Our team is key in the next phase of our business’ growth and we’re looking forward to working with them, to drive Rygor Group forward to even more successes.

“Most importantly, we’re dedicated to continuing to provide exceptional customer-focused solutions, products and services, and our amazing team is key to this.

“This award truly belongs to our team members, and we’re delighted to have them recognised in this way.”

Great Place to Work’s UK Best Workplaces 2023 rankings result from feedback provided by team members about how the business they work for supports their overall health and wellbeing, both inside and outside the workplace.

Its Trust Index survey asks employees to respond to 60 core statements exploring key areas, including: culture; collaboration; communication; teamwork; innovation; leadership; and hospitality.

Rygor has been shortlisted in the Dealer Group of the Year (10+ sites) category at this year’s AM Awards, while Brayleys has been shortlisted for Dealer Group of the Year (10+ sites), Best in Customer Service, Leader in Diversity and Inclusion and its Kia Enfield site for Franchised Dealership of the Year.

Trustford is shortlisted for Marketing Strategy of the Year, Community Hero, Leader in Diversity and Inclusion, Online Consumer Experience of the Year and Dealer Group of the Year (10+ sites).

Take a look at part one and part two of the AM Awards 2023 shortlists here.