A Midlands business where staff get a day’s holiday on their birthday and are rewarded if they refer a friend has been recognised as one of the best places in the country to work.
Cosy Direct, based in Fauld, near Tutbury, has been named in the 2025 UK’s Best Workplaces in Retail, Hospitality & Leisure list – an annual roll call of top employers compiled by Great Place to Work.
It is the first time that the firm has appeared in the list, which also features a host of household names from the world of retail and leisure, including Specsavers, Trek cycles, the Clermont Hotel Group and Hugo Boss.
Staff at Tutbury firm Cosy Direct, whose happiness and votes have helped it to be named among the UK’s Best Workplaces in Retail and Hospitality 2025
Even better, the list was compiled using anonymous feedback from the staff themselves, with Cosy’s workers praising the company for creating a workplace where they feel valued, trusted and proud to contribute.
In particular, 79% only had positive things to say about the company’s culture, leadership and their day-to-day experience – firms need to score at least 65% to get onto the list – with 88% of employees rating it as a good place to work overall.
Ninety-seven percent reported that the company celebrates special events and 96% said that they were made to feel welcome.
Ninety-three percent of staff reported feeling good about the way in which Cosy Direct, which gives 10% of its profits away to charities each year, contributes to the community.
Founded by Peter and Amanda Ellse in 2011, Cosy Direct supplies sustainable, nature-inspired educational resources for nurseries and schools. It offers 30,000 different products and sells worldwide to more than 38 countries.
The firm currently employs 120 people, a third of whom enjoy flexible working to enable them to fit their work around their commitments at home.
Staff are given a day’s holiday on their birthday, they can eat a free breakfast of fresh fruit and toast each morning and if they recommend a friend for a job there, they get a bonus.
They are also given three days off for volunteering each year and everyone receives individual training each year.
David Hook, managing director of Cosy Direct, said: “We’re proud to be recognised as a Best Workplace 2025, especially because this recognition comes directly from our team.
“So much of what makes our culture thrive is down to their trust, passion and collaboration, and the company-wide understanding that the customer is king, so everything anyone does, no matter what their role, is all about serving them to the best of our ability.
“That approach is a huge unifier, as are the benefits we offer our staff in return. And, with statistics from Great Place to Work UK showing that companies do better if their staff are happy in their work, appearing on this list is a win-win situation for everybody.”
Benedict Gautrey, managing director of Great Place To Work UK, said: Congratulations to Cosy Direct on this well-deserved recognition.
“In retail, hospitality and leisure, where work is fast-paced and teams are often dispersed, staying connected can be tough.
“The best organisations foster regular, meaningful communication from leadership. Employees have told us they feel supported, heard and want to stay at their employer as a result of working for a truly great workplace.”
The Best Place to Work accolade is the latest award for Cosy, which picked up a King’s Award for Enterprise – International Trade (2025) this year, to go along with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise – Sustainable Development it earned three years ago.
It was also the ERA Supplier of the Year last year.
For more information visit www.cosydirect.com
