Santander, which employs around 1,700 people in Bradford, has been recognised for the support and training it gives to its employees.

It has been given the Britain’s Top Employers 2017 certification, which recognises the career pathways, performance management, culture and more of the company.

The international research undertaken annually by the Top Employers Institute recognises the best employers around the world. These are companies that have applied the highest possible standards in their offer to their employees, have embraced professional development and are committed to a better working environment.

The Top Employers Institute undertook a stringent research process assessing Santander’s employee offerings against a number of criteria including talent strategy, workforce planning, learning and development, performance management, career and succession management and culture.

Vicky Wallis, HR Director at Santander UK, said: “Top Employer status is a genuine mark of recognition and a significant achievement. We’re thrilled to receive this endorsement, which acknowledges our efforts to create the best possible working environment for our staff. It also reflects our commitment to make Santander a better bank, which is more simple, personal and fair and helps people and businesses prosper.”

David Plink, CEO at the Top Employers Institute, said: “Optimal employee conditions ensure that people can develop themselves personally and professionally. Our comprehensive research concluded that?Santander?provides an outstanding employment environment, and offers a wide range of creative initiatives, from secondary benefits and working conditions, to performance-management programmes that are well thought out, and truly aligned with the culture of their company.”

In addition to the UK, Santander has been recognised in five other countries – Poland, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, and has been awarded the Top Employers 2017 European certification, recognising excellence across the group.