Riverford Organic Farmers

We are an organic farm and UK-wide organic vegetable box delivery company based in Buckfastleigh, Devon.
Hidden mission statement
http://www.riverford.co.uk

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Best Company
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Riverford was founded by organic farmer Guy Singh-Watson in 1987. As one man with a wheelbarrow, he started delivering vegetables to 30 local homes in one of the UK's first veg-box schemes.

Nowadays, Riverford grows, packs, and delivers around 75,000 organic veg boxes each week to families nationwide who share its values of fairness and sustainability.

In June 2018, Devon-based Riverford became employee-owned. Guy sold the business to its staff for around a quarter of its market value, having recognised that its people are the ones who are the best custodians of its values.

It is also the most competent to achieve the commercial success necessary to promote its ethos, so it stands to reason that it should reap the rewards.

Every employee now owns an equal share of Riverford and 10% to 20% of the company's annual profits go equally to each of them. The new governance structure includes a democratically elected staff council, representing all levels.

The business, a newly listed Best Company to Work For, aims to be an outstanding place to work and this includes equal pay.

After becoming employee-owned, Riverford launched a transformative programme of cultural and management changes.

From a wide range of learning and development opportunities to proactive wellbeing support – such as appointing mental health first aiders, free counselling, and wellness podcasts.

In 2020, Riverford became a certified B Corp, an accreditation that recognises the highest social and environmental business standards.

A spotlight on

Riverford Organic Farmers

View the latest achievements

Featured Workplace Factors

My Company

80% of staff agreed

I feel proud to work for this organisation

Riverford gives all co-owners the opportunity to refer a friend for any of its live vacancies. If the referred candidate is successful in getting the role, once they have passed their probation period, it pays the co-owner who made the recommendation £400. The friend they recommended will also get £100 – this is an unlimited

Fair Deal

53% of staff agreed

I feel I receive fair pay for the responsibilities I have in my job

Fair pay is fundamental at the organisation, particularly for those co-owners at the lower levels of pay. It is a Real Living Wage employer. To offset the gender pay gap, it has overhauled its role banding, increased transparency over the rates for different levels, and installed measures to ensure that these bandings are consistently applied.

Personal Growth

52% of staff agreed

This job is good for my own personal growth

Riverford has a whole host of developmental opportunities for its people. Including captured learning, personal and professional needs during 1:1s, establishing aspirations, and providing learning to support the individual in improving confidence, performance, and motivation. It also runs an internal management programme that focuses on performance coaching and development conversations.

My Company
%

80% of staff agreed

I feel proud to work for this organisation

Riverford gives all co-owners the opportunity to refer a friend for any of its live vacancies. If the referred candidate is successful in getting the role, once they have passed their probation period, it pays the co-owner who made the recommendation £400. The friend they recommended will also get £100 – this is an unlimited

Fair Deal
%

53% of staff agreed

I feel I receive fair pay for the responsibilities I have in my job

Fair pay is fundamental at the organisation, particularly for those co-owners at the lower levels of pay. It is a Real Living Wage employer. To offset the gender pay gap, it has overhauled its role banding, increased transparency over the rates for different levels, and installed measures to ensure that these bandings are consistently applied.

My Company
%

80% of staff agreed

I feel proud to work for this organisation

Riverford gives all co-owners the opportunity to refer a friend for any of its live vacancies. If the referred candidate is successful in getting the role, once they have passed their probation period, it pays the co-owner who made the recommendation £400. The friend they recommended will also get £100 – this is an unlimited

Quick Facts

Organisation established in
1987
Total number of UK employees
Number of UK locations
44
Employee average age
69% : 31%
Male : Female employee ratio
14%
Employees earning £35k+
25%
Employee turnover (voluntary)
Quote from the top...
Our purpose is To Grow a Better Future for People and Planet with Good Food, Good Farming, and Good Business. A key part of this is ensuring we are business where our co-owners (employees) are at the heart of everything we do and every decision we make. We can only do this if we understand what is great about working here and what could be better. Best Companies is a great way to help us do this.

Charlotte Tickle, People & Culture Director

Benefits

Development

Companies that provide support to all employees for non-work related training.

Profit Related Pay

Companies offering profit related pay to all employees.

Latest Achievements

National Ranking
#
79
Best Small Companies to work for in the UK
National Ranking
#
79
Best Mid-Sized Companies to work for in the UK
National Ranking
#
79
Best Mid-Sized Companies to work for in the UK
National Ranking
#
79
Best Large Companies to work for in the UK
National Ranking
#
79
Best Big Companies to work for in the UK
National Ranking
#
79
Best NFP Organisations to work for in the UK
London
#
6
Best Small Companies to work for in London
London
#
6
Best Mid Sized Companies to work for in London
London
#
6
Best Mid Sized Companies to work for in London
London
#
6
Best Large Companies to work for in London
London
#
6
Best Big Companies to work for in London
East of England
#
40
Best Companies to work for in the East of England
The Midlands
#
Best Companies to work for in the Midlands
The East Midlands
#
Best Companies to work for in the East Midlands
The West Midlands
#
19
Best Companies to work for in the West Midlands
The North East
#
Best Companies to work for in the North East
The North West
#
Best Companies to work for in the North West
Northern Ireland
#
Best Companies to work for in Northern Ireland
Scotland
#
Best Companies to work for in Scotland
The South East
#
28
Best Companies to work for in the South East
The South West
#
33
Best Companies to work for in the South West
Wales
#
Best Companies to work for in the Wales
Yorkshire & The Humber
#
Best Companies to work for in Yorkshire & The Humber
Sector Ranking
#
7
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
7
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
7
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
7
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
7
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
7
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
7
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
7
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
7
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
7
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
7
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
7
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
7
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
7
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
7
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
7
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
7
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
7
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
7
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
7
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
7
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
7
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
7
Best Companies to work for in the UK
Sector Ranking
#
7
Best Companies to work for in the UK
National Position
#
79
Best
Large
Company to Work For in the UK
Regional Position
#
6
Best
Large
Company to Work For in London
Regional Position
#
40
Best Company to Work For in the East of England
Regional Position
#
Best
Company to Work For in the North East
Regional Position
#
Best
Company to Work For in the North West
Regional Position
#
Best
Company to Work For in Northern Ireland
Regional Position
#
Best
Company to Work For in Scotland
Regional Position
#
28
Best
Company to Work For in the South East
Regional Position
#
33
Best
Company to Work For in the South West
Regional Position
#
Best
Company to Work For in Wales
Regional Position
#
Best
Company to Work For in Yorkshire & The Humber
Regional Position
#
Best
Company to Work For in the East Midlands
Regional Position
#
19
Best
Company to Work For in the West Midlands
Sector Position
#
7
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Riverford Organic Farmers
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