It has been awarded two-star status from Best Companies, which recognises ‘outstanding commitment to workplace engagement'.
The Carlisle-based building society is well on the way to cementing its position as one of the country’s top 100 companies to work for in the Best Companies’ annual survey, to be published in November.
Chief executive Des Moore said: “I’m truly excited by this result and proud of everyone’s contribution. Our colleagues have made the Cumberland a place we’re all proud to work, with an outstanding level of colleague engagement.”
Chairman John Hooper added: “Two stars might sound underwhelming, but these are like Michelin stars and it really is a major achievement.”
In fact The Cumberland was remarkably close to achieving the ultimate three-star accolade, according to figures released by Best Companies.
Its findings have huge credibility because they are based on real insights from employees, who can speak frankly about their employer as all feedback is anonymous and treated in the strictest confidence.
Nearly 600 Cumberland employees took part in the survey this year, more than 90 per cent of the workforce.
In 2022 the Cumberland was ranked the 96th best large employer in the UK based on survey results from the first three quarters of the year, the first time the society broke into the top 100.
It looks certain to do even better this year.
The standings after nine months were revealed at a live-streamed event fronted by TV personality Dan Walker, with the Cumberland sitting in 39th place in the large employer category. It was also rated the 31st best employer of any size in northwest England and the sixth best nationally in financial services.
Companies are judged on leadership, the levels of pride and loyalty amongst employees, how people feel about their managers, opportunities for learning and career development, whether employees feel part of a team, their wellbeing, pay and benefits, and how the employer supports the environment and wider community.
Best Companies singled out the Cumberland’s approach to wellbeing, citing its appointment of mental health champions and the setting up of a group to help colleagues going through the menopause.
The Cumberland is Cumbria’s largest financial institution with £2.4bn in mortgage lending and savings balances of £2.5bn. It operates 32 branches across Cumbria, Lancashire, Northumberland and southwest Scotland.