Welcome to the sixth Sunday Times list of the 100 Best Small Companies to Work For. In spite of the challenges facing all companies — big or small — this year, competition for a place in this supplement has intensified again. No fewer than 565 small companies sought a place in our elite top 100, 52 more companies than in 2008.

The views of 34,295 employees fed into this survey of the best small businesses in Britain, making it by far the most comprehensive study of workplace opinion and engagement of its kind. Their opinions are the ones that count. No amount of slick HR policies can buy a place here.

The companies you will find in the coming pages are all beacons of excellence, continuing to define leading workplace practice and engaging and motivating their employees even in today’s troubled economic times. As ever, in all areas of our survey, small companies outgun their larger counterparts, who will feature in their own 100 Best Companies to Work For magazine published with The Sunday Times next week, March 8.

My congratulations to all the companies we feature. If you think your company can do better, why not join us in 2010?

RICHARD CASEBY - Managing Editor, The Sunday Times

Explore Best 100 Companies

• Best 100 Tables