Zest named as one of the Best Places to Work in the UK by The Sunday Times

Zest has earned a place on The Sunday Times Best Places to Work in the UK list for our commitment to wellbeing, diversity, inclusion and encouraging workplace satisfaction.

We scored top results from our employees for happiness, confidence in leadership, and inclusivity – core values that have been upheld by our reward packages.

Initiatives that stood out in the nationwide workplace survey were:

Strong benefits offering

Priorities in rewards differ according to individual situations. Listening to workforces and responding through workplace benefits is key to employee satisfaction – we support our customers to enable this but it’s just as important that we take the same approach with our own employees. Popular benefits we offer are private medical insurance, dental insurance, health and wellbeing funds and discounts such as gym memberships, will writing, and travel and holidays.

Support for employees to increase pension savings

Our research exploring attitudes towards rewards packages in UK workplaces has found that almost eight in ten (77%) workers want increased pension contributions from their employer as part of their benefits packages. In response to this, we offer salary sacrifice which ensures employee salaries maximises their retirement savings.

 Career development and learning initiatives

We’ve introduced a “Lunchtime Learnings” webinar series discussing topics such as inclusive leadership, resilience and mindfulness, as well as tailored training and development plans for all employees.

Confidential support for employees with neurodivergence

Last year we found that only half (49%) of neurodiverse employees believe that they’re poorly supported at their company. A third (31%) of HR leaders across the UK believe that neurodiverse employees have made their business more profitable, and over a third (35%) think that a neurodiverse workforce boosts the productivity of their business.

We offer support through financial assistance for assessments, robust supportive policy and flexible working practices to enhance comfort, inclusion and productivity.

It’s crucial for businesses to adequately support their employees to ensure they are engaged and productive. With half (52%) of workers saying that rewards packages are the most important thing they look for in a workplace, rising to two thirds (66%) among under 35s, the value of employee benefits must be recognised.

Recognition for creating a great workplace for our employees reflects our mission to provide strong employee benefits and enhance wellbeing, both for our clients and within our own organisation, leading to outcomes worth celebrating.

Matt Russell, CEO of Zest, says: “Being named one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2025 is an honour – but more than that, it’s a testament to the culture our people have built. We set out to create a company where talent thrives, ideas grow, and wellbeing is never an afterthought. I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved together.”

Julia Aaltonen, Head of HR at Zest, says: “As an employee benefits tech provider, we understand the importance of reward packages and cultivating a great workplace for our employees. It’s vital that organisations listen to and understand the needs of their employees – failure to do so risks low morale and loss of talent as well as poor commercial performance.”

“We invest in our colleagues’ development, offering truly flexible working arrangements and providing opportunities for both personal and professional growth. By offering a dynamic, supportive and forward-thinking workplace, we empower our team to succeed and make a lasting impact which is why our turnover is low and our staff stay with us long-term.”

Rob Wall, CFO of Zest, says: “Great businesses are built on great people. Creating a workplace where our team feels supported, empowered, and valued isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s how we drive long-term growth and resilience.”