What Are The Best Small Companies To Work For In Yorkshire 2025?

Ever wondered what really makes a company a great place to work? It’s not always about huge salaries or slick city offices. For most people, it’s about feeling valued, supported, listened to, and being part of a team that genuinely cares.

On 1 December 2025, a new list revealed the best small companies to work for in the UK, and what makes it special is that the ranking is based entirely on feedback from the employees themselves. Out of 75 small businesses across the country, nine Yorkshire companies earned a place on the list.

Here’s what makes these organisations stand out.

Yorkshire Sport Foundation

Yorkshire Sport Foundation works across nine districts in South and West Yorkshire with a clear mission: to help more people get involved in sport and physical activity.

A huge 94% of employees said they feel appreciated and supported by their colleagues , an incredible sign of strong team spirit. The organisation even has a dedicated wellbeing group focused on keeping staff healthy and happy.

They live their values, making them a standout employer in the region.

The Oakland Group

Based in Leeds, The Oakland Group is a data and AI consultancy, but at its core, it’s a people-first organisation.

What sets it apart?

• “Chatty cafés” for relaxed staff catch-ups
• Menopause support
• Suicide prevention training
• A Head of Wellbeing
• Dedicated mental health first-aiders

They’ve also created four internal communities so everyone has a voice in shaping the company’s future. It’s a modern and compassionate approach to workplace culture.

Axiologik

Axiologik, founded in 2016, is a digital leadership consultancy known for helping organisations deliver complex digital projects.

They’re listed as a top employer thanks to their emphasis on transparency and personal growth:

• Monthly Town Hall meetings keep everyone informed
• Every employee has personal goals tied directly to the company’s strategy

This ensures staff can see exactly how their work contributes to the big picture, a powerful motivator.

Bumper International

Bumper International began as a small UK business in 2013 and has since grown into a global organisation with over 100 employees , but it hasn’t lost its family feel.

Perks include:

• Annual three-day company retreat (previous destinations include Lisbon and France)
• Share options
• Generous annual leave

Their retreats are designed to help colleagues “reconnect, reset, and strengthen relationships,” making it a genuinely enjoyable place to work.

The Anglican Diocese of Leeds

Not the first place you might expect on a list of top employers, but the Diocese has worked hard to nurture a supportive workplace culture.

Key initiatives include:

• A new staff intranet launched in 2021
• A wellbeing working group
• Virtual coffee mornings
• Book clubs
• Christmas gatherings

It’s proof that excellent employee engagement can be found in all kinds of organisations.

CD (UK) Ltd

Founded in 1980, CD (UK) Ltd supplies specialist surface materials, but it's their strong values that make them a brilliant employer.

Their five guiding principles are:

• Winning together
• Doing the right thing
• Owning the outcome
• Ever improving
• Daring to dream

To support these values, they run a Hero of the Quarter award, recognising staff who go above and beyond. It’s a culture where great work and great attitudes don’t go unnoticed.

BetterYou

BetterYou is a natural healthcare brand and a certified B Corp, meaning it meets high standards for social and environmental responsibility.

Their Better Planet Project focuses on:

• Staff wellbeing
• Sustainable ingredient sourcing
• Carbon-negative plastics
• Environmental responsibility

They aim to “fill the gaps left by modern diets and lifestyles”, and they extend that same care to the wellbeing of their employees and the planet.

UK Coaching

UK Coaching supports sports coaches nationwide, and they bring that same dedication to developing their own team.

Standout features include:

• “Team Time Out” days
• Monthly company updates
• Apprenticeships and development opportunities
• Senior management actively reinforcing core values

This creates a strong sense of shared ownership, making it a genuinely supportive workplace.

Alconex

Alconex Infrastructure and Solutions Ltd handles critical infrastructure, installing electric, gas, and water connections across the UK.

Despite the serious nature of the work, they’ve cultivated a fun, motivating environment. One standout initiative is the Alconex Premier League, a gamified work challenge that boosted on-site productivity by 35%.

It proves that even tough industries can build creativity, motivation, and camaraderie into their culture.