Young Spirits hits Top 100 List for Best UK Workplace Culture
Best uk workplace culture win
Young Spirits hits Top 100 List for Best UK Workplace Culture
Our Edinburgh-based bottling business is the only Scottish company - and only drinks industry entry - to win 2025 Breakthrough Culture Award
Our modern bottling and brands business, driving new levels of innovation and sustainability in the spirits industry, has been named as one of the UK’s 100 most loved companies to work for in a global awards initiative.
We are the only Scottish winner of a 2025 Breakthrough Culture Award, a scheme which spotlights forward-thinking companies that put their people first in the workplace.
Organised by global media and insights company Hyer, the awards team reviewed over 5,000 companies of all sizes and from all different sectors to uncover the 100 top workplaces where people are genuinely thriving and feel empowered in their roles.
As well as shining a spotlight on these companies for recruiters and staff, the Awards team creates content for colleges and universities around the world to highlight why a thriving company culture is vital in the modern world.
Young Spirits was recognised on the list due to the company’s positive and pioneering approach to nurturing its 40-strong team of employees:
Barbara Russell-Scott, Managing Director of Young Spirits said:
‘Our founders Alex and John started the company with a mission to do things differently for our clients, but also for staff, as their team grew from just the two of them to the forty plus employees we have today. They want everyone who works here to share their passion, commitment and satisfaction as Young Spirits evolves, and our business is built with this ethos at its heart. We’re very proud to have this work recognised in the UK business community with this Breakthrough Culture Award’.
Fostering innovation: monthly sessions to brainstorm and celebrate new ideas, with a Dragon’s Den style competition where all employees can pitch ideas for new products – ensuring staff feel valued and listened to.
Dynamic internal communications: using new technology to ensure employees are first to hear about company news, developments, workplace initiatives and seasonal events – direct to an app on their smartphone.
Recognition and rewards: an Employee of the Month programme and annual awards ceremony to recognise and reward great work, plus an employee rewards programme offering discounts and perks, from holidays to supermarket discounts.
Personal support: training of mental health first aiders, an app-based Employee Assistance Programme for staff and their families on topics such as stress, finance, health & wellbeing and childcare, plus access to face-to-face or telephone counselling.
Team building: regular pizza lunches, out of office days and get togethers to celebrate success, and an annual company barbecue for all colleagues, their families and communities.
Barbara Russell-Scott
Young Spirits was founded in 2019 by entrepreneurs and spirits enthusiasts John Ferguson and Alex Harrison as a progressive, sustainable partner for global spirits brands, specialising in high quality bottling services, new product development and all aspects of packaging and fulfilment. The Young Spirits team has also developed its own stable of award-winning brands including Ferg & Harris single malt whiskies, Uhuru rum and whisky, and most recently Nips & Sips ready-to-drink flavoured vodka pouches.
Hyer is a global media company and a leading destination for news, stories, and voices from the most influential companies and company cultures of our time. Across multiple flagship newsletters, original shows, podcasts, and events, they introduce company-building insights, providing a creative voice for workplace innovation within a community of industry-leading HR and Talent influencers.
