Business improvement company Grass Roots has leapt up the table to number 53 following the results of a confidential questionnaire, sent by research agency Best Companies, directly to its employees.

It is the only full service performance improvement firm to be included in the list.

The number of companies entering the Sunday Times award has increased year-on-year since its inception in 2001, with organisations, across all industries competing for the accolade of being announced a top 100 company to work for.

The list aims to recognise organisations for their skill, energy and dedication to making employment a worthwhile experience.

The survey is completely independent and invites employees to score their own organisation on a range of factors such as Leadership, My Company, My Team and Well Being.

Chairman and founder David Evans said the results summary highlights Grass Roots' principled style of management with staff expressing great faith in the leadership of the organisation.

The company's capacity for Giving Something Back is its strongest category when benchmarked against other organisations also making the list.

Mr Evans said the firm is a strong supporter of local arts, sports and community organisations, and recently appointed its first Corporate Social Responsibility Manager.

Mr Evans said: "We have passionate people in our family and they all want to make their contribution. Letting them express themselves in word and deed is one of the defining characteristics of our business and helps to make Grass Roots a better place. "

Managing Director Rik Burrage commented: "It's nice to be in the list again, but more importantly is the fact that we have improved in some of the areas that last year's survey told us we should focus on. We preach a lot about performance improvement, but I think this shows we live it in our business."