An employee-owned business has been named as one of the best workplaces in the UK for retail, hospitality and leisure.
WCF achieved a place in the large business category of the 2025 Great Place to Work UK list for its sector.
The recognition is based on anonymous feedback through the Great Place to Work survey, with 76% of WCF employees stating the company is a great place to work.
WCF, which has its head office in Brampton, Cumbria, is a diverse family of businesses operating in the retail, logistics and leisure sectors. The company has over 370 employees working across more than 30 locations in the UK in businesses including national mail order shopping brands, three five-star camping and glamping sites, oil distribution, WCF Pet & Equestrian retail stores, and e-commerce businesses which offer garden and landscaping products.
Phil Murray, Chief Executive Officer at WCF, said: “We’re delighted to have achieved this recognition which reflects the company’s commitment to ensuring that everyone feels valued, supported and proud to be part of the WCF team.
“As a part employee-owned business, our team is at the heart of everything we do. Every employee owner has the opportunity to share their ideas, views and opinions to make a positive impact on the performance of the business.”
Phil said the successful introduction of initiatives such as an employee app to ensure effective communication across the different businesses, and a Peer Coaching Programme to enable employees to develop new skills and reach their potential, were crucial to the success of the business.
“We are always looking for ways we can build on how we communicate and do it better. Because everyone at WCF knows their voice is important, we find they have a long-term investment in both their own roles and the wider business, which drives productivity and innovation.”
As part of the Great Place to Work UK survey, WCF employees were invited to share their views on work-life balance, sense of fulfilment, job satisfaction, psychological safety and financial security. The results, along with an assessment of consistency across departments and seniority levels, were used to determine the list.
WCF was also recognised by Great Place to Work in the top 100 of the UK’s Best Workplaces for Women 2025 list in July for large businesses.