Chestertons has been recognised for its work in providing charitable donations through staff salaries, known as payroll giving.

The London firm is the only estate agent in the country to be awarded a Platinum Payroll Giving Quality Mark for the second consecutive year, in recognition of its implementation of the payroll giving fundraising initiative.

All employers operating payroll giving schemes are eligible to get a Quality Mark recognising their employees’ charitable contributions throughout the year.

Platinum is presented to companies that have more than 20% of its workforce choosing to give through the scheme and who have also completed several additional criteria.

Chestertons has 22% of its staff signed up to its scheme, benefiting 37 different charities.

Giles Milner, marketing director for Chestertons, said: “We really try and encourage all of our staff to give something back to the community in whatever way they can, whether that is by using their paid volunteer day or by donating to their chosen charity.

“Payroll giving is one of the most successful initiatives that we have implemented to help make donating easier for our staff and we are all incredibly proud to be the only estate agent to have achieved the Platinum award two years in row.”

Jacqui Abraham, client director at Payroll Giving, said: “Chestertons is really leading the way within the property sector.

“A few other estate agents have the scheme, but none have implemented it as successfully as Chestertons.

“The business actively encourages its staff to raise money and support charities that are important to them and it is great to see so many of them giving so generously.”