This piece is sponsored by Holmes Murphy.

It takes an impressive performance to rank No. 1 in your field once – but make the list for more than a decade and it becomes clear there’s something exceptional at work.

That’s the case for Holmes Murphy, which has ranked as the No. 1 business insurance firm with more than 1,300 employees not just in 2025, but also in 2024, and holding an overall spot on the list for 14 consecutive years.

Holmes Murphy achieved the impressive record through its finish in the annual feature presented by Business Insurance and Best Companies Group that ranks the agents, brokers, insurers and other providers with the highest levels of employee engagement and satisfaction.

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania-based Best Companies Group identifies the leading employers in the insurance industry by conducting a free two-part assessment of each company. Through an employer questionnaire on policies, practices and demographics and a confidential employee survey, Best Companies Group assembles the data points and analyzes them according to eight core focus areas:

• Leadership and planning
• Corporate culture and communications
• Role satisfaction
• Work environment
• Relationship with supervisor
• Training, development and resources
• Pay and benefits
• Overall engagement

Holmes Murphy was recognized for “empowering their 1,300-plus employees to forge their own paths,” the publication said, noting that employees especially value the firm’s culture of caring.

“It’s the passion, collaboration and unwavering commitment of our people that make this organization truly extraordinary,” said Dan Keough, chairman and CEO of Holmes Murphy.

“Being recognized as the No. 1 Best Place to Work is a reflection of the culture we’ve built together — one rooted in trust, innovation and genuine care for one another and our clients. Our employees bring their whole selves to work, and that energy fuels the exceptional experiences we deliver every day. There is a reason we say we love what we do and who we do it with. This recognition reflects that environment we create, and this honor belongs to every one of our employees.”

It’s not surprising to the team in the Sioux Falls office, a tight-knit group where most ultimately become long-term employees or even shareholders in the firm.

“Holmes Murphy really allows us the freedom to succeed,” said Greg Krier, senior vice president and shareholder, who joined the firm 20 years ago.

“Because we’re independently owned by our shareholders, you feel like you can have a dramatic effect on the outcome of the company based on what you can accomplish, while being rewarded for long-term ownership and investment.”

As a privately held company, Holmes Murphy is able to focus on creating a best-in-class firm without the need to satisfy outside investors.

“For us, it’s about our employees and our customers and then the shareholders,” said Doug Muth, senior vice president and Sioux Falls market leader.

“We think in terms of five-year plans, not quarterly earnings. We realize the long-term benefit of making investments that benefit our employees because they’re the ones who ultimately drive our top-line revenue.”

You can see it in the workspace, where Holmes Murphy has invested in an exceptional downtown office space, but you also hear it as team members describe the work environment itself.

Office administrator Jodi Heiser joined the team three years ago from a nonprofit and has found that “the culture is fantastic,” she said. “It’s warm, caring, inviting, professional and fun.”

Her role involves helping foster that culture, from welcoming visitors from-out-of-state offices to ensuring each intern has a valuable experience.

“We also allow so much freedom,” Krier added. “We want people who are accountable and think like entrepreneurs. We’re not here to punch a clock. We’re looking for people who want to focus on taking care of the customer.”

Holmes Murphy also has a new look for the new year. Its latest brand refresh is focused around its independence and what that means for its people, clients and communities.

“We’re able to pivot, remain very fluid and move based on our customers’ needs,” Krier said. “Our independence allows us short-term flexibility to invest as opportunities present but also the ability to think long term.”

There are continued opportunities to grow a career at Holmes Murphy, beginning as an intern. Applications are open, and interviews are starting for the next group of interns. Visit here to learn more.

“If you’re a parent or a student, look at that opportunity,” Muth said. “We have people with us who have been super-successful and who need to retire, plus we’re growing organically, and we need to help support that growth. We have 22-year-olds in our office who will be in some kind of leadership role in the next few years, so if you’re a young person, the opportunity here is magnificent.”

That’s also the case if you’re later in your career, he added.

“We would love to find those people and help them make a move,” Muth said. “Sometimes they’re coming from a similar organization, and often they can be successful coming from a different role or industry. There are so many reasons you’d want to work here, from our processes to our leadership opportunities to all the technology we’re leveraging to support you in your work. We have the opportunities here to help you be successful.”

To learn more about current career opportunities, visit here.