First Response Finance has been named as one of the 100 Best Small Companies to Work For in 2013, while fellow non-prime lender The Funding Corporation was named ‘One to Watch’.

First Response, head-quartered in Nottingham with offices in Glasgow and Manchester, was named the 38th Best Small Company to Work For in the annual list drawn up by workplace surveyors Best Companies in conjunction with The Sunday Times.

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Don Brough, chief executive of the financer, which last year began offering 110% of the transacted value of a used car in Glass’s Guide, said: "For us this award is not about the accolade.

"First Response has been a people-oriented business since 2004 and we entered Best Companies as another way of benchmarking ourselves against like-minded companies."

‘Better for our guys’

A place on the list is awarded following a site visit plus a confidential survey of any company which would like to put itself forward. Staff are asked about satisfaction with both employer and social benefits brought by the company.

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Judging for the 2013 list was carried out in 2012 and The Funding Corporation, which received the distinction of ‘One to Watch’ from Best Companies, said it was likely to enter the process again this year.

A small company is one employing 50 to 249 people and Brough added the understanding brought by the experience would be "reinvested into our business to make it better for our guys".

Both First Response and The Funding Corporation are companies which have seen growth, by reputation and business levels, as UK subprime motor lending has increased since 2008, but, as Brough explained, "we do the things we think are right for our people and company not because we think it’ll go down well with the folks at Best Companies.

"Yes we do use the Best Company logo in our advertising but why wouldn’t we? We’re really proud to be such a great company."

richard.brown@timetric.com