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In the competitive world of financial technology, standing out as an employer has never been more important. Talent is mobile, competition is fierce, and the very best candidates are drawn to companies that not only innovate in their products and services but also in how they look after their people.
That’s why the Top 1% Workplace Awards 2025, brought to you by Harrington Starr and featured in The Financial Technologist magazine, are back to celebrate the companies that set the benchmark for excellence in FinTech, Quant and technology workplaces.
And here’s the best part: they are completely free to enter.
With entries open until 11th September 2025, these awards are your opportunity to gain global recognition, attract top-tier talent, and show the world why your workplace belongs in the top 1%.
Why Winning a FinTech Workplace Award Matters in 2025
The talent landscape in FinTech and Quant finance is shifting. Skills shortages in technology, data, and financial services mean that the best candidates can pick and choose their employers. Workplace culture, professional development opportunities, and leadership style are no longer “nice to have”; they are deciding factors for in-demand professionals.
Winning a recognised workplace award isn’t just about adding a badge to your career page. It’s about:
- Boosting employer brand credibility: third-party recognition shows you’re more than just talk when it comes to looking after your people.
- Attracting top talent: Award-winning workplaces stand out in a crowded recruitment market.
- Increasing retention: employees feel proud to work for a recognised organisation, which strengthens loyalty.
- Raising industry profile: the Top 1% Workplace Awards are promoted to over 300,000 professionals across Harrington Starr’s global network.
In short, being a Top 1% Workplace sends a clear message: we are the kind of company the best people want to work for.
About the Top 1% Workplace Awards 2025
The Top 1% Workplace Awards were created to recognise the organisations that are truly moving the dial on workplace excellence. They celebrate innovation, culture, leadership, diversity, and talent development in the FinTech, Quant, and wider financial services sectors.
Who can enter?
Any firm operating in financial technology or services, including FinTech start-ups, established Quant firms, banks, hedge funds, payment providers, crypto firms, sports trading companies, and more.
Where?
The awards are open globally, with a strong focus on London, the UK, US, and Europe.
Why enter?
- Completely free to enter, no cost, no barrier.
- Featured in The Financial Technologist, one of the industry’s most respected publications.
- Visibility to a network of 300,000+ professionals.
- Professionally designed assets to showcase your win.
Deadline to enter: 11th September 2025.
Award Categories for 2025
There’s a category for every kind of workplace excellence.
- The Best Workplace for Technologists
- The Best Emerging FinTech Workplace
- The Best Workplace Culture
- Team Excellence Award
- The Best Sales Professionals
- The Best Workplace for Change and Transformation
- The Best Workplace for Talent Investment
- The Best Internal Talent Team
- The Best Employee Onboarding Experience
- The Best Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative
- The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Champion
- The Top 1% Leader of the Year
- Best Buy-Side Workplace
- Best Workplace for Data and AI Professionals
- The Best Sell-Side Workplace
- The Best Workplace for Product Innovation
- The Best Workplace for Digital Assets
- The Best Workplace for Sports Trading Professionals
Whether your strength lies in culture, transformation, innovation, or inclusivity, there’s a category where you can shine.
Lessons from Last Year’s Winners
One of the most inspiring aspects of the Top 1% Workplace Awards is learning from companies that have gone above and beyond for their teams. Here are just a few examples from last year’s winners:
TransFICC: Best Workplace for Technologists
Their unique use of extreme programming and team rotations set them apart, creating a dynamic environment where technologists thrive.
Delta FS: Team Excellence Award
A culture of resilience, internal promotions, and exceptional employee support led to high satisfaction and loyalty.
Aquis: Best Sales Professionals
Structured development programmes and transparency in challenging markets made them a sales leader.
Xeinadin: Best Workplace for Change and Transformation
Successfully integrating over 130 firms while maintaining culture and wellbeing demonstrated transformational leadership.
GSS: Best Internal Talent Team & Best Employee Onboarding Experience
A small but mighty team delivering exceptional hiring results and a personalised onboarding journey.
Legal & General’s Deon Pillay: DE&I Champion
His intersectional approach to diversity and industry-wide impact set the gold standard.
Project NEMO: Best DE&I Initiative
Grassroots disability inclusion work that’s reshaping accessibility in FinTech.
PPRO’s Motie Bring: Top 1% Leader of the Year
Authentic leadership and commitment to growth and diversity.
28Stone: Best Workplace for Talent Investment
Bespoke training plans and transparent performance reviews driving a learning culture.
Calastone: Best Workplace Culture
Empowerment, flexible working, and a focus on wellbeing and diversity.
SuperBet: Best Sports Trading Workplace
Innovative trading environment with diverse leadership and career progression.
Bitpace: Best Emerging FinTech Workplace
Passionate, community-driven workplace balancing innovation with people-first values.
These companies show that there is no single path to being a Top 1% Workplace, but a shared commitment to people, culture, and purpose runs through every winner.
Why 2025 is a Turning Point for Workplace Culture in FinTech
This year’s awards come at a critical moment for the industry. The rise of AI, evolving hybrid work models, and an increased focus on diversity and inclusion mean that how companies treat their people is under more scrutiny than ever.
For FinTech and Quant firms, the winners of tomorrow will be those who:
- Embed flexibility and wellbeing into their culture.
- Invest in upskilling for emerging technologies.
- Champion diversity at every level of the organisation.
- Lead with transparency and authenticity.
Recognition in the Top 1% Workplace Awards sends a powerful signal that you’re not just keeping up, you’re leading the way.
What Makes a Top 1% Workplace in FinTech and Quant?
Winning a Top 1% Workplace Award isn’t about ticking boxes; it’s about delivering an employee experience that truly stands out. While each company will have its own unique culture and values, there are common threads that run through the very best workplaces in the FinTech and Quant sectors.
1. A culture of continuous learning
With financial technology evolving at speed, the most attractive workplaces invest in their people’s growth. That means formal learning programmes, mentoring, and opportunities to work with cutting-edge technologies.
2. Genuine diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I)
The most progressive firms go beyond surface-level diversity initiatives. They create environments where every voice is valued, opportunities are equitable, and leadership reflects the diversity of their teams.
3. Transparent, authentic leadership
Top 1% leaders communicate openly, take accountability, and inspire through action, not just words. This transparency builds trust and loyalty.
4. Innovation in working practices
From flexible working models to agile project management, top workplaces find ways to adapt and improve, not just in what they deliver to clients, but in how they operate internally.
5. Employee well-being as a business priority
Work-life balance, mental health support, and a safe, respectful environment are no longer optional; they are essential to attracting and retaining high performers.
By showcasing these qualities in your application, you don’t just increase your chances of winning; you create a compelling employer brand story that will resonate with candidates and clients alike.
Global Recognition, Local Impact
While these awards celebrate excellence on a global scale, the benefits are often most felt locally. For London-based FinTechs, a Top 1% Workplace title can help attract high-quality local candidates in a competitive city. For US and European firms, the awards offer a way to stand out internationally and connect with talent pools beyond their home markets.
How to Apply for the Top 1% Workplace Awards 2025
Applying is simple:
- Visit the Top 1% Workplace Awards 2025 page.
- Select the category (or categories) most relevant to your organisation.
- Complete the application form, we will then be in touch to record a short interview for the judges.
- Submit before 11th September 2025.
Remember, you can enter 2 categories to maximise your chances of recognition.
Why Harrington Starr Champions Workplace Excellence
At Harrington Starr, we’ve spent over a decade connecting the best FinTech and Quant talent with the world’s leading employers. We know what makes a workplace truly exceptional, not just in terms of benefits and perks, but in how it inspires, supports, and develops its people.
The Top 1% Workplace Awards were created to celebrate the companies raising the bar. By recognising these workplaces, we aim to inspire the entire industry to do better and, in turn, create more opportunities for talent to thrive.
Apply for the Industry’s Biggest FinTech Awards
The Top 1% Workplace Awards 2025 are more than just a trophy; they’re a statement. They tell clients, partners, investors, and future employees that your organisation is in the elite when it comes to culture, leadership, and talent development.
With the awards completely free to enter, there’s no reason not to put your workplace forward.
The deadline is 11th September 2025. Apply today, be recognised as a Top 1% Workplace, and take your place among the industry’s most respected employers.
Or reach out to our marketing team to find out more.
