Almost two-thirds of employees would rather work for a smaller business than a larger one, according to research conducted by recruitment firm Angela Mortimer plc.

The study of around 1,400 employees found that 60% would choose a comparable offer from a smaller business rather than a large corporate as they believed that smaller firms offer a good working environment and opportunities for career development.

"For candidates big is no longer beautiful. Twenty years ago the received wisdom was to join a BA or a BT or a big bank. Now they value the flexibility of opportunity that SMEs can offer," said Mike Morgan CEO of communications firm the Red Consultancy.