Sheep shearing is a world away from working as a stockbroker and financial adviser. But that didn’t stop financial services firm Edward Jones taking on Angus Kirk eight years ago. Although Kirk had more experience handling sheep than other people’s finances, the company reckoned he had the right attitude so it hired him.

Edward Jones focuses on helping the individual investor through its 239 branches in the UK. Kirk is now the financial adviser in the Dunfermline branch, and appreciates that Tim Kirley, the head of the UK business, knows what it is like to deal with clients every day.

“The great thing about the firm is that Tim and the people who lead it have all sat in our seat,” says Kirk. This allows the company to be run on strong values and principles, say staff, who give a top score of 93% in our employee survey.

Kirley began as an investment adviser, as did managing partner Jim Weddle, who has overall responsibility for the company in the US, Canada and the UK. “It’s incredibly important,” says Kirley, “because it maintains our culture — placing the client’s interests first.” Staff believe senior managers are truly living the values of the organisation (89%, and a top score).

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“There are people who join us, and ask, ‘What’s the catch? Why are you giving me this responsibility but not always looking over my shoulder?’ ” says Kirley.

There is no catch. At Edward Jones, leadership is about giving people the autonomy they need to do their job and to learn. Employees thrive in this environment, earning the company an 84% score for personal growth, which ranks it second.

Kirley believes in rewarding people’s hard work by putting greater trust in them.

“There is a real sense of accomplishment when someone asks you to take on greater responsibility,” he says.

Managers regularly express their appreciation when people do a good job (79%) and, as their responsibilities increase, staff feel they can make a real difference to the firm (83%) and make a valuable contribution to its success (87%).

Pressure at work is not a problem (81%) and employees know there is a chance to learn and grow within the firm, earning a second-ranked score of 80%. The backing is there when staff need it, in the form of advice and training. People feel managers are fully supportive (79%) and are confident the experience they gain from this job is valuable for their future, returning a top score of 88%.

“Our training is outstanding,” says Kirk, who is working towards an advanced diploma and plans to do an MBA. Career progress is in people’s own hands, but the company encourages the use of development plans and offers various courses, seminars and job shadowing opportunities.

Employees know their workmates go out of their way to help each other (85%). “When you have a sense of belonging, you strive to do a better job,” says Vanessa Halim, who is responsible for the recruitment and training department. All staff members have the chance to be a partner in the firm.

“You want to see it grow and for it to be a success,” says Halim. There is a real team spirit, and colleagues care for each other (87%).

“One of the responsibilities of the leader is to be sure the vision we share is clearly articulated,” says Kirley. Judging by our survey scores, Kirley is doing a good job. Edward Jones is the top company both when it comes to the Leadership factor score (88%) and also in the My Company sector, which measures employees’ feelings about their firm (85%). Staff have confidence in the leadership of the senior managers (90%), believe Kirley runs the firm on sound moral principles (91%) and have a great deal of faith in him (89%).

Monthly one-to-one meetings with department leaders and a regional meeting every three months ensure people are kept abreast of business developments and plans for the future, and there are also opportunities to discuss and reinforce the company culture.

Employees rank the company first when they say they feel fully involved at work, giving a score of 87%. They also feel senior managers really listen to them (82%, another top score).

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