Wallingford family business in UK best places to work list

Wallingford-based Connect Catering, which provides catering services across independent and SEND schools, businesses and care settings, was recognised in the prestigious Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026 list.

The independent company’s employee engagement score came out at 88 per cent, an ‘excellent’ rating which is higher than the hospitality sector average.

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The score measures against criteria like wellbeing, leadership, empowerment, job satisfaction and workplace culture.

The Connect Catering team at an awards event in 2026 (Image: Supplied)

Victoria Murrell, CEO of Connect Catering, said: ““We are incredibly proud to receive this recognition.

“Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and these results reflect the positive, supportive culture we have worked hard to build across the business.

“Hospitality and catering can be fast-paced industries, so creating an environment where colleagues feel valued, supported and able to develop is hugely important to us.

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“This achievement belongs to every member of the Connect Catering team.”

The employee engagement survey found more than 90 per cent of employees felt safe in their working environment and felt they had a good relationship with their manager, while 89 per cent felt proud to work for the company and 87 per cent expressed confidence in management.

Connect Catering is an independent, family-run contract catering company which was founded in 1989 and continues to grow across sectors.