Planet IT tops workplace rankings following major awards

Planet IT received four accolades in the UK’s Best Companies to Work For 2025 Awards, which celebrate the best in workplace engagement.

Securing the top spot, Planet IT was revealed as the best place to work in the UK (among companies with under 100 employees), recognised for its outstanding service and strong company culture.

Number 1 Place to Work

Other winning categories included the Number 1 Place to Work in the South East and Number 1 Technology Company to Work For accolades, with its founders Sean Smith and Gavin Jones also named among the UK’s top business leaders.

The clean sweep of awards is a landmark achievement on the IT company’s growth journey. The business, which provides outsourced IT solutions nationally and internationally, offers a range of hardware and software consultancy, specialist cybersecurity support and project management services.

Commenting on the award wins, Sean said: “To receive four awards is beyond our expectations and we’re so proud of our team. To be recognised as the No.1 Place to Work in the UK is an incredible honour.

“It’s a testament to the culture we’ve created and the talent and commitment of everyone in the team. Every member of Planet IT plays a part in making this company a great place to work and we are thrilled that their hard work, dedication and client service have been rewarded.”

Humble beginnings

Sean and Gavin, who met at school and formed their first business washing cars aged 12, started Planet IT in 2003.

Planet IT has built a reputation for the vibrant and inclusive company culture it has created at Milton Park, with employees benefitting from continuous training, professional development, apprenticeships and a wide range of team-building and wellbeing initiatives.

Activities have included international trips, sporting challenges, social events and creative competitions, all designed to support collaboration, staff engagement and personal growth.

Gavin added: “We’ve always believed that investing in our people is the key to our success. From training and development to wellbeing and team-building activities, we strive to create an environment where everyone can thrive.

“These awards are a testament to the passion and energy our team brings every day to help us deliver exceptional service to our clients.”

Planet IT has grown from humble beginnings to a team of almost 100 people delivering outsourced IT support, software, hardware and cybersecurity services to organisations around the clock.

Approval ratings

With 98% client approval ratings maintained over the last five years, it is a trusted supplier to the likes of The Royal Household, The Premier League, Vogue, GQ magazine, Oxford Pharmagenesis and the BBC.

Earlier in the year, the company added more industry awards to its list of achievements, receiving recognition as a World Class Place to Work, based on its staff survey scores. It was also named as Sophos’ UK Partner of the Year for the fifth time. The awards contribute to the continued retention of the team’s ISO:27001 standards and the Cyber Essentials Plus certification.

The company specialises in working with pharmaceutical and life science companies and is ideally placed to collaborate with occupiers from across Milton Park.

Planet IT has recently doubled its office space and has invested in creating new jobs before the end of the year, supporting the company’s ongoing growth and commitment to staff development.