Rock’n’roll, fish and chips — some things go better together, goes one advertisement for the Altogether Offset mortgage offered by Coventry Building Society.

It could well add “a happy staff and this company”. The home lender, which boasts more than 1m members and has assets of almost £9 billion, takes great interest in the welfare of its employees.

One thing that unites them is a belief in the moral values of the society and a sense that it does good for the community. Almost 70% of staff believe the Coventry is not solely driven by the profit motive. This was the society’s highest relative score in our survey, in 17th place. Its mutual status — a badge worn with pride — means it is “owned” by savers and borrowers rather than shareholders. Eighty-five per cent of staff believe in the society’s values and 75% say Martin Ritchley, the chief executive, runs it on a sound moral basis.

Founded in 1884 as the Coventry Permanent Economic Building Society, it had become the biggest building society in the region by the outbreak of the first world war. A series of mergers in the 1970s and 1980s has made it one of the five biggest in Britain today. Staff say it is a friendly place to work, with good holidays (up to 28 days a year) and excellent career progress.

Katie McGregor, who started as a customer service adviser two years ago and is now training as a team leader, says: “The society is committed to helping people develop in their job role. It puts staff first to ensure we are happy and can help our customers to the best of our abilities. The service centre has seen a complete makeover to make us feel comfortable when working, including brand new desks and computers and even sofas for break times.”

Pay is a modest £11,700 for basic advisers, but the society gives all employees life insurance and £20 a week to help with childcare if they have children aged under six. Almost four out of five employees also receive private healthcare.

There is a well-funded training scheme in place. Prospective staff are told: “Our approach to training and continuous professional development means that once you start with us, you’re setting out on an exciting path to a successful career.”

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