Aberdeen software consultancy firm Appetite for Business has been named one of the best places in the UK for women to work.
The Bridge of Don based firm was highly commended in the prestigious Sunday Times Best Places to Work for Women category.
In addition to this it’s also in the rankings of the Best Places to Work 2023 list.
Appetite for Business – based at the Innovation Park – is a specialist in Microsoft 365 and SharePoint business software.
The company is owned and led by Sheryl Newman, whose past accolades include a business of the year title at the Association of Scottish Businesswomen Awards in 2019.
How workplace nurtures women
Ms Newman, who employs a team of eight men and eight women, said: “I wanted to create almost a community. A place where people wanted to come to work.
“Where they could thrive whilst at work and had a voice to be heard and listened too and be their real self.
“I want people to come and excel no matter what. I think when you feel safe and are in a safe and protected environment that’s when you do your best work for customers.”
The annual Top 100 identifies UK organisations with the highest employee engagement and wellbeing levels, which in turn helps retain and recruit employees.
Ms Newman said: “As a small business you are always looking to keep learning and do better. This was a chance for staff to give anonymous feedback.
“Going through the results in every category, bar one, we were 20% above UK average.
“Probably the differentiator is being led by a female I think.
“We bring very different characteristics to the table. We lead with empathy and kindness and vulnerability.”
Appetite for Business picked up a hat-trick of prestigious awards last year, including Best Digital Workspace at ScotlandIS’s Digital Tech Awards, Business Success Over 5 Years at the Elevator Awards, and High Growth Business of the Year at the FSB Scotland Celebrating Small Business Awards.
Women are ‘multi-taskers’
Ms Newman has also just employed her first ever female apprentice and a keen advocate of women in the workplace.
She said: “I’m really keen to invest in the younger generation.
“Our new apprentice couldn’t get an opportunity and we could see in her what we are looking for. She aligns with our culture and values.
“Three of the team are mums and have said themselves they would never have got a job.
“We have been really flexible with the hours, how they work and have worked around them. I think mums are amazing. They are multi-taskers and why not be flexible.
“I’ve always been a champion of women. I’ve done it for 25 years. Been on so many forums beating the drum to get more women in to business and the industry.
“I’ll keep doing it because I believe in it.”