The channel was well represented in a list of the top 100 UK SMEs to work for.

The Sunday Times 100 Best Small Companies to Work for 2009 ranked debt counselling charity Christians Against Poverty as the best small business workplace in the UK. Software reseller Softcat placed third, up from fifth last year, with 92 per cent of employees stating they were proud to work for the company.

The same number claimed they felt the senior management bore out the values of the company in the way they led their lives. Softcat was also voted by employees as the UK's most convivial SME workplace, with 95 per cent declaring their colleagues to be fun.

Mancunian VAR ANS Group was a new entry at 24, with nine in 10 staff proud to work for the Cisco Gold partner. The company was cited as an important part of 85 per cent of employees' lives, while 81 per cent claimed they have plentiful opportunities to develop their career.

The company also has an annual £50,000 fun budget, which goes on staff nights out and gifts including champagne and gadgets.

Chief executive Scott Fletcher said: "We are a strong team that takes pride and pleasure in the work we do and we keep staff development and satisfaction at the heart of the business. It is important to me that staff enjoy their jobs and that has a knock-on effect on how we work with our customers."

Watford-based reseller CAE Technology Services placed 28th, up 39 places on 2008. The honesty and openness of senior management was commended by 87 per cent of staff, while 86 per cent claimed they were excited about where the company was going.

Recruitment software specialist Madgex was a new entrant at 43, with services firm Prosource.it also new at 50. Three quarters of Prosource.it employees are happy with their work-life balance while 81 per cent are satisfied with their pay and benefits.

Broadband products specialist Technetix was at 69 while developer Red Gate Software placed 81st. IT support and consultancy specialist Wavex was at 93, with 89 per cent of staff claiming teams enjoy each other's company.