It is a wonder that Claire Owen, founder and managing director of Stopgap, does not have queues of potential employees stretching round the block of the marketing recruitment group’s stylish Richmond, London headquarters.

The extensive range of work/life balance measures which the group has put in place to recruit and retain its 109 staff members have already allowed Ms Owen to clear space on her mantelpiece for five business awards. Now the company has won the Best Workplaces European Special Award for best work/life balance practices.