Welsh employer Admiral Group, which has a base in the centre of Newport employing almost 1,000 people, has been named the third best big company in the UK at the Sunday Times Best Companies to Work For awards.

The company, which employs 6,500 people in Cardiff, Swansea and Newport, also received three special awards including a Lifetime Achievement award for its outstanding performance in the competition. It is the only UK company to make the list of best companies every year since it began in 2001.

Admiral’s CEO David Stevens was also named best leader with the company coming first in the leadership category for big companies. It is the fifth year in a row Admiral’s chief executive officer has won this award, with Stevens winning last year and retired CEO Henry Engelhardt being named best leader in the previous three years.

The Give Something Back Special Award was also awarded to Admiral for its community giving and environmental initiatives.

Chief financial officer Geraint Jones said: “We are delighted to have placed third in our category of big companies and to have won three special awards, particularly as the results are based on feedback from our staff. We go out of our way to make Admiral a supportive and enjoyable place to work, and the fact we have made the list every year for 18 years is really pleasing.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our staff who work hard every day and make Admiral such an amazing place to work.”

The Sunday Times’ Best Companies lists is based on the results of anonymous employee engagement surveys, which are designed to allow employees to comment on all facets of their working environment, relationships and organisational culture.