Caring for its workers and their families, Volkswagen, known for creating the “people’s car”, is certainly a people’s company. Ferdinand Porsche founded the firm in 1935 and today it operates in Brazil, Canada, the United States and Europe.

Importing and distributing to franchised dealers for Volkswagen, Audi, Seat and Skoda, the 500 head office staff are also responsible for marketing the four brands. Staff feel they can make a difference (79%), earning the company a top 25 ranking among all 100 best companies for this measure. A huge 88% also feel proud to work for it: just three businesses in our survey have more staff beating a drum for them.

Since 1989, the firm has raised more than £500,000 for charities close to its Milton Keynes base, and for each vehicle sold 60p goes to BEN, the motor and allied trades benevolent fund, for which the company raises more than £180,000 a year. When an employee mentioned that her disabled granddaughter needed an adapted bike, staff arranged a quiz night to raise funds.

Everyone receives a bonus relating to company performance and profit, which can equate to about one month’s pay. All employees with at least a one-year contract are entitled to free private healthcare and anyone with a child under the age of 16 can participate in the childcare vouchers scheme.

Staff who have a contract of nine months or longer can lease a car at preferential rates (an Audi TT for £150 a month, for example). The firm’s popular company car scheme sees employees eligible to receive a fuel card for free business and private mileage. They can also buy two heavily discounted cars a year.

Personal touches include ice cream on hot days, employee gifts at Christmas and a minimum of 27 days holiday — a range of benefits that (with pay also taken into account) keeps two-thirds of staff happy, earning VW a top 40 ranking on this issue.

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