Opus Business Advisory Group named in The Sunday Times Best Places to

Opus Business Advisory Group, a national advisory firm with offices in Preston, has been recognised as one of the Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2025, cementing its reputation as an industry leader in people-first culture and progressive working practices.

The official The Sunday Times Best Places to Work, powered by WorkL has been published online by The Sunday Times in partnership with the leading employee experience platform, WorkL, showcasing the Best Places to Work in the UK.

The prestigious listing celebrates organisations that excel in employee satisfaction, engagement and workplace culture.

To achieve a high overall engagement score, an organisation must score well across a six-step framework that comprises Reward and Recognition, Instilling Pride, Information Sharing, Empowerment, Wellbeing and Job Satisfaction.

For Opus, it marks a milestone moment and a public affirmation of what staff across the firm have long experienced — a place where people are genuinely valued, supported and encouraged to thrive.

Tim Dolder, managing partner at Opus, said: “This recognition reflects what we’ve always believed — that a strong, trusting culture is the foundation of a successful business.

“We’re incredibly proud of our team and the inclusive, collaborative environment across our UK offices. To be recognised nationally is a real honour.”

Opus has stood out for its innovative working models, which include flexible hours, compressed workweeks, and support for remote working.

The firm also contributes to employees’ home utility bills, helping to ease cost-of-living pressures. These measures have not only supported staff wellbeing but have driven significant business growth and client satisfaction.

But it’s the testimonials from within the business that tell the real story.

One said: “For me, this is more than a job. I’m investing my time, my knowledge and experience in a company that is investing in me,” said one team member. “I feel valued, respected and appreciated — not just for what I do, but for who I am.”

Another added: “From sudden children’s illnesses to life’s unexpected events, Opus has always made family come first. That flexibility turned what could have been a stressful transition into a truly manageable and rewarding experience.”

The company’s investment in professional development is also a key driver of its culture. Staff are supported through industry qualifications, and many team members have risen through the ranks to become managers, heads of departments, or licensed insolvency practitioners.

“Little did I know when I joined as an office junior that ten years later, I’d hold a corporate JIEB qualification,” said one long-serving team member. “The support from the firm and the incredible people in our Milton Keynes office have been instrumental in that journey.”

Opus has embraced a “culture-first” hiring approach, ensuring that new recruits not only have the right experience but also align with the firm’s values of integrity, empathy and long-term thinking. This ethos is helping to redefine what it means to work in the insolvency profession.

Tim added: “Advisory services are ultimately about people.

“By investing in our own people first, we’re able to deliver thoughtful, ethical and effective solutions to the clients we advise.”

With offices in 14 locations across the UK, supported by local teams, Opus continues to show that local firms can lead the way in creating modern, forward-thinking workplaces, and that culture is not just a buzzword, but a proven business strategy.

The awards uses 26 questions from WorkL’s employee engagement survey, developed by behavioural scientists, data analysts, psychologists, business leaders, academics and other independent
parties to most accurately monitor employee engagement, wellbeing and discretionary effort in the workplace.

Lord Mark Price, Founder of WorkL, said: “Many Congratulations to those featured in the 2025 Sunday Times Best Places to Work list, powered by WorkL.

"The recognised organisations lead the way in employee experience and will now benefit from improved retention and recruitment for the year ahead.

"WorkL are proud to power these awards and support organisations to measure employee experience and to retain and recruit the very best employees.”

Zoe Thomas, editor of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work, said: "The Sunday Times Best Places to Work list is the UK’s biggest survey of employee engagement, compiled in partnership with workplace expert WorkL.

"Spanning a raft of sectors and located throughout the UK, the organisations in this year’s list range from innovative start-ups with a handful of employees to big multinational corporations staffed by thousands.

"These organisations know that happy employees are the superpower helping them thrive.”

To find out more about the list then visit https://www.thetimes.com/best-places-to-work.