Grayling UK, a leading PR, communications and public affairs consultancy with nine UK offices, including in Leeds and Manchester (Northern lead, Alice Newsham, pictured) has been recognised as one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026, the latest in a growing portfolio of awards for the company’s people policies.
Grayling is already the largest PR and public affairs consultancy in the UK to declare a 0% gender pay gap, while over the past year, nearly half of the agency has received a promotion, supported by an above-inflation pay rise. The agency was also the first large UK PR agency to achieve Tommy’s baby loss accreditation, and remains the only PR consultancy included in the Women in Work Top 100.
Enhanced policies now span fertility, miscarriage, maternity, paternity, menopause, carers’ support, neurodiversity and men’s health, helping set new standards for workplace support across the communications industry.
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Grayling’s commitment to inclusion and social mobility includes partnerships with Creative Access, Lexxic and the Creative Mentor Network. These partnerships widen access into the industry, support neurodiverse talent and expand mentoring opportunities for underrepresented groups across the UK.
Five active Employee Resource Groups support colleagues across women’s, LGBTQ+, parenting, wellbeing and people of colour communities.
Heather Blundell, UK CEO of Grayling UK, said: “Being recognised as one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work is something we are incredibly proud of because it reflects the culture our people have helped shape together. At Grayling, we are committed to creating an environment where people feel trusted, supported and empowered to build meaningful careers while delivering exceptional work for clients. This recognition reinforces the importance of continuing to invest in our people, their wellbeing and their development.”
Zoe Thomas, editor of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work, added: “In an evolving world of work Britain’s leading employers are helping staff forge careers that count today – and in the future. In turn, the Best Places to Work have the resilience to weather the current economic storms baked in, thanks to engaged workers who go above and beyond with a smile. Our winning employers span sizes and sectors – from tiny charities and specialist law firms, to multinational fast-food chains and utility giants, and everywhere in between. The thread joining them is the belief that a happy workforce is a stepping stone to better performance, faster growth, and bigger profits. More than that, there’s a collective instinct that a contented rank-and-file is a worthwhile business goal in and of itself.”
