Softwire

Softwire was founded in London in 2000 by Dan Shavick, Pete Kenny, and Phil Marsden. Instead of following the venture-funded growth path common across the tech sector, the company built its identity around two things, workplace culture and ownership structure, that set it apart from most consultancies in its size.

On ownership: Softwire runs as an employee-owned business, held in trust on behalf of its staff, and it distributes roughly 50% of profits directly to employees. It also holds certified B Corporation status, tying accountability to measurable social and environmental standards rather than just stated values on a webpage somewhere.

That structure seems to show up in staff satisfaction too. Softwire has sat near the top of the UK’s Best Companies list for over a decade running, taking the number one national spot for Best Large Company to Work For in 2023, plus regional wins in London and the East of England. Glassdoor reviews put employee satisfaction consistently above 4.4 out of 5, with around 99% saying they’d recommend working there. Both figures sit well above the typical average for an IT services company.

On delivery: Softwire operates as a technology transformation consultancy, building bespoke software, data, and AI solutions for clients that have included the BBC, the Department for Education, and Google DeepMind. In March 2026, it was part of a team, alongside Atos, awarded a major UK government contract tied to electoral reform. The company has grown to around 400 employees across offices in London, Manchester, and Cambridge. Reported revenue sits in the £40-50 million range, modest for a firm with this level of visibility, but in line with a business that’s prioritized sustainable culture and client retention over rapid, funding-driven scaling.