Digital marketing agency Outrank has been ranked 2nd among the UK’s Best Medium Workplaces by Great Place to Work, placing it among the top companies in the country for workplace culture.
The recognition marks a major milestone for the fast-growing business, based in Middlesbrough, which has risen rapidly through the national rankings in recent years. In 2025, Outrank was ranked 3rd among the UK’s Best Workplaces in the small company category, after entering the list for the first time in 2024 at 77th place.
Now, with a team of 59 employees, the agency has grown into the medium business category, where it has debuted at 2nd place nationally.
The Great Place to Work® awards, widely regarded as the global benchmark for workplace culture, recognise organisations that actively prioritise employee wellbeing, trust, and professional development.
Founder Stephen Robinson says the latest recognition reflects the company’s ability to grow while protecting the culture that helped build its success: “We’ve always believed that strong culture drives strong results. Moving from 77th place to 3rd in the small business rankings last year was an incredible moment for us, and now stepping into the medium category shows just how much the business has grown in a short space of time.
“But growth only matters if you bring your culture with you. Our team has expanded significantly, but our focus remains exactly the same – creating an environment where people enjoy coming to work, feel supported, and have the opportunity to develop their careers.”
Founded in 2018, Outrank has grown rapidly in both headcount and client base, while continuing to expand its full-service digital marketing offering across SEO, website design, PPC, digital PR, social media, branding, and email marketing.
The company’s people-first philosophy has played a central role in that growth. Rather than hiring only when vacancies arise, Outrank operates an open-door recruitment approach, meaning talented individuals are encouraged to apply at any time.
Operations Director, Francesca Kosina, explains: “There’s no such thing as the right person at the wrong time. If we meet someone promising who shares our mindset and values, we’ll find a way to make the timing work.”
This approach has helped the agency scale while maintaining a strong sense of team culture and collaboration, something reflected in its continued recognition by Great Place to Work®.
Francesca Kosina added that the award reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to creating a positive working environment as the team continues to grow: “We’ve been very intentional about protecting the things that make Outrank special. Whether it’s investing in our people’s wellbeing, encouraging collaboration, or making sure everyone has a voice, our culture has always been central to how we operate.”
Outrank is one of relatively few companies from the North East and the digital marketing sector to be recognised in the Great Place to Work rankings, highlighting both the agency’s growth and its commitment to building a strong workplace culture.
Head of Culture at Outrank, Lucy Stirman, says: “Culture doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from listening to people, creating opportunities for growth and making sure everyone feels supported. Seeing the team recognised in this way is incredibly rewarding because it reflects the environment we have all worked together to create.”
Further Great Place to Work category awards, including specialist sub-rankings, are expected to be announced later in the year.
Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place To Work UK, says: “Year after year, it’s truly inspiring to witness a growing number of organisations earn a spot on our UK’s Best Workplaces List. We’ve seen an increase yet again in Trust Index scores which means the bar has been raised and this accreditation is a significant and tremendous accomplishment. The UK’s Best Workplaces excel in creating consistently great experiences for all employees through fostering high levels of trust, pride and camaraderie to fuel increased organisational performance. These crucial elements collectively contribute to creating cultures where employees feel they can truly be themselves and thrive in a supportive and caring environment. Congratulations to Outrank for achieving a place on our 2026 UK’s Best Workplaces List.”
