A BELFAST-based IT company has been ranked one of the top companies to work for in the UK.
Novosco, an IT infrastructure expert, was the highest placed Northern Ireland firm to feature in the Sunday Times ‘100 Best Small Companies to Work For’.
The company, which employs 90 staff, was one of only two Northern Ireland firms on the list — the other being Munster Simms Engineering (Whale Water Systems).
Leadership was one of the key reasons for Novosco’s success, according to the Sunday Times, in addition to other factors including facilitating ‘Personal Growth’.
The leadership of the company’s managing director, Patrick McAliskey, was highlighted for particular praise: “This managing director is a long-running inspiration, say the employees at the Belfast-based IT company. They have faith in him (giving a top-five, 94% positive score, the firm’s best result)”.
The judges also praised McAliskey’s open door policy, the fact that he knows every employee by name and what is going on in their lives, and his active involvement in charity work (particularly running marathons for Bowel Cancer) and in local schools.
Other areas in which the company was praised include for having women as at least 33% of senior managers, its charity activities, and encouraging healthy eating. Long service is also impressive, with 40% of employees having more than five years’ service. Novosco was number 87th on the list, with Munster Simms Engineering 90th.
It is the second year that the company has made the list. Novosco provides cloud computing and IT infrastructure services, including disaster recovery, managed services and connectivity services, to a wide range of organisations in the public and private sectors.
Speaking of the accolade, Mr McAliskey said: “One of our key goals is to recruit and retain the very best people in the sector, as they are what set us apart from our competitors. So we put a big emphasis on making Novosco a great place to work, and we’re very pleased that the Sunday Times have recognised that again this year.”
Headquartered in the Northern Ireland Science Park in Belfast, Novosco also has offices in Dublin and Birmingham and 2013 saw its turnover grow from £15m in 2012 to over £23m.
The company, which marks 20 years in business this year, also appeared in the Deloitte Fast 50 2013 for the 14th year in a row — one of only two companies to be in the prestigious listing every year since it started in the year 2000.
Meanwhile, there was more success for companies in Northern Ireland as 22 businesses received additional Investors in People (IiP) accreditation at Gold, Silver and Bronze levels.
Offering his congratulations at the awards ceremony, Minister for Employment and Learning, Stephen Farry said: “This is a special occasion as it celebrates Northern Ireland’s businesses going above and beyond excellence.”