A power firm, which employs more than 300 people in the county, has been named as one of the best companies to work for.

UK Power Networks came ninth in the Sunday Times’ Top 25 Best Big Companies to Work For list published at the weekend.

It is the fifth time it has appeared in the list, and the first time it has figured in the top 10.

The UK’s biggest electricity distributor has 330 staff based in Maidstone.

The rankings are based on a staff survey on topics ranging from the support the company gives communities, to development and training opportunities.

HR director Andrew Pace said: “We are hugely proud to once again be recognised as being among Britain’s best big companies to work for. Our vision is to consistently be the best performing network operator, backed up by a strong set of values.

“One of the ways we measure our progress is through the annual survey which helps us to listen to employees and act on their feedback. This year for example we have progressed several projects as a result of staff wanting to contribute to the UK’s cleaner air quality; adding electric vehicles to our company car list, replacing up to 100,000 plastic water bottles used during summer months with aluminium versions, and we have started a trial recycling plastic buckets that normally get sent to landfill.

“There is a well-established link between levels of employee engagement and high performing businesses. Our goal now is to continuously improve and keep this a great place to work.”

Top of the list for big companies was insurance firm Admiral.