Bromford Housing Group is about more than bricks and mortar — the affordable housing company also builds its staff a cosy, accommodating home.
The group, founded in 1963 as Bromford Housing Association and run by a charitable trust, builds and manages more than 12,500 homes in partnership with local authorities and private developers, puts up capital for “shared ownership” homes, and manages domestic support schemes for 1,200 people. Income comes from rents and repayments, but its principle of working with tenants to help them manage money and apply for benefits is far from the traditional bailiff's knock. It is an attitude that staff appreciate, and the company — a very different business from the many multinationals in our list — is one of the highest new entries.

When Liz Walford joined the firm 17 years ago as a basic housing officer, she had just moved to Wolverhampton (where the firm has headquarters for three other offices and on-site units) and was returning to work after having a family. “They saw my potential and found ways to develop me that played to my talents,” says Walford, who is now group operations director and company secretary. “We didn't use words like ‘personal development' but these beliefs still run through the business like a stick of rock.”

Walford is typical: one-third of the women at Bromford are working mothers, helping the company to win our special award for work and family (see Leaders of the pack).

Even though housing services advisers, the largest group of staff, are paid a modest £13,155, they enjoy a great atmosphere (87% laugh a lot at work) and have open relationships with managers (79% say they have an honest dialogue). Most staff are between 26 and 44, and appreciate the regular internal sabbaticals and promotion.

There is an annual social budget of £85.60 per head, which, with extensive charity fundraising, helps build team spirit — crucial because clients can sometimes become aggressive. When Liz Corbett, an estate manager who changed career to join the firm last year, is out visiting sites, she keeps in touch, taking a colleague on difficult calls. “We can encounter intimidating situations but often there is a reason, and you can work with people to resolve them,” she says.

Nine in 10 staff say treating customers well is a strong principle. The only downside is that 52% often feel exhausted. But 83% of staff are proud of their work, and for people such as Corbett, Bromford Housing Group is a warm and welcoming new home.