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A North East accountancy firm has won two national awards recognising it as one of the country’s best employers.
Great Place To Work UK named Clive Owen LLP, which has offices in Darlington, Durham, Middlesbrough, Newcastle and York, among the UK’s Best Workplaces for Women 2026 and Small & Medium-sized Workplaces in Consulting & Professional Services 2026.
The awards are based entirely on confidential employee feedback and recognise workplaces where staff feel valued, supported and empowered to succeed.
Phillipa Symington, people and culture partner at Clive Owen, said: "We are incredibly proud to be recognised as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces for both women and across consulting and professional services.
"These awards are particularly meaningful because they are based on the experiences and feedback of our colleagues, reflecting the culture we have worked hard to build together.
"At Clive Owen, we are committed to creating opportunities for everyone to develop rewarding and successful careers, regardless of their role or background.
"Building an inclusive workplace is not about a single initiative; it is about embedding fairness, flexibility and opportunity throughout the employee experience, while ensuring people feel supported to achieve their full potential."
Clive Owen supports long-term careers and work-life balance through flexible and hybrid working, structured training and an associate partner pathway for future leaders.
The firm has also improved its family-friendly and wellbeing support, including maternity benefits and policies for staff at every career stage.
The awards add to the firm’s achievements: it has been certified as a Great Place To Work for three years running and holds Platinum status in The 5% Club for its commitment to learning and development.
Clive Owen was also named Mid-Tier Firm of the Year at the 2026 Yorkshire Accountancy Awards.
Ula White, head of people and culture at Clive Owen, said: "This recognition reflects the commitment of everyone across the firm to creating a workplace where people feel valued, respected and empowered.
"From investing in leadership development to promoting flexible ways of working and listening to colleague feedback, we’re continually looking at how we can make Clive Owen an even better place to build a career.
"We’re delighted to see these efforts recognised and remain committed to building on this success in the years ahead."
The UK’s Best Workplaces for Women list recognises organisations removing barriers to career progression and giving every employee the chance to flourish.
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Benedict Gautrey, managing director of Great Place To Work UK, said: "The consulting and professional services sector continues to evolve rapidly, with organisations adapting to new technologies and changing client demands.
"In this environment, the very best workplaces recognise that supporting their people through periods of change is essential.
"Feedback from employees highlights the importance of transparent leadership, open communication, and involving people in decisions that affect them."