Yorkshire Water is the UK's Best Place to Work in IT 2008

Yorkshire Water has won the top prize at Computer Weekly's Best Places to Work in IT Awards 2008. The company received its award during a ceremony at the Intercontinental on London's Park Lane on Friday 22 February, winning the Best of the Best award in the face of stiff competition.

Alan Harrison, IT director at Yorkshire Water, said at the ceremony, "It's brilliant. We want to be the best and you can only do that by having great people and by giving them a place where they can flourish."

Yorkshire Water impressed the judges with its positive working environment. "There is an emphasis on helping IT staff understand the business activities and mindset," they said.

The company also encourages and provides time for staff to volunteer for community activities, such as a project to build 350 sustainable school gardens by 2010.

Category winners

Best of the best: Yorkshire Water

Financial services: Norwich Union

Entertainment & leisure: Betfair

Banking: Britannia Building Society

Local government: North Warwickshire Borough Council

Central government: The Coal Authority

Manufacturing & engineering: Procter & Gamble

Non-profit sectors: Ashridge

Retail, wholesale & distribution: Sainsbury's

Business & professional services: Sweet & Maxwell

IT services suppliers: The Internet Group

IT software & hardware suppliers: Erudine

Construction, agriculture & mining: WSP Group

Emergency services: West Yorkshire Police

Travel: Virgin Atlantic

Utilities & telecoms: Yorkshire Water