The Financial Times recognises Stockport organisations in UK’s Best Employers 2026 ranking

Four Stockport employers have been recognised in a ranking of the UK’s best places to work, published by The Financial Times.

Now in their second year, the Financial Times’s Best Employers rankings are compiled in collaboration with global data firm Statista. The results are based on an independent survey of 20,000 people across the UK, with workers asked to share their views on their employers in key areas such as workplace culture, wellbeing and salary.

Of the 500 businesses recognised in the ranking, four Stockport-based employers garnered recognition. Sportswear brand, Adidas, was the highest ranked Stockport organisation to make the ranking, placing at 17th, the second-highest placing firm in the North of the England. Other businesses in the borough to be included in the ranking was healthcare business, Cleveland Clinic (ranked 102nd) ; care provider, Creative Support (298th), and disability charity, Together Trust (395th).

The Financial Times named the University of Cambridge its Best Employer for 2026, with Microsoft and Cancer Research UK taking in second and third-place respectively. Vets for Pets, part of the Handforth-based Pets at Home Group, was the highest ranking employer in the North of England, at 15th in the league table.

Roland Guy, People, Culture & Digital Director at Cheadle-based Together Trust, said of the charity’s place in the Financial Times UK’s Best Employers ranking:

“We’re immensely proud to be recognised as one of the UK’s Best Employers, and amongst the very best in the area.

“This achievement reflects the hard work and commitment of our colleagues here at the Together Trust to deliver life-changing support every day and create the inclusive, compassionate workplace that we’re so proud of.”