Why did you enter the Investors in People 2023 Awards?

As a business, we’re very proud of the work we’ve done and the efforts put in by everyone to achieve Gold accreditation. Investors in People has helped us create and live the kind of culture we all want to be part of, and entering the awards – whether we were to win or not – is another way to celebrate and appreciate all we’ve achieved so far.

We believe we have a very powerful message in the way we’ve determined flexible working in the Society, and putting ourselves forward for Best Flexible Working Policy is a great way for us to recognise this initiative in particular. Going for an award is great for morale regardless of the outcome. And, given our people are themselves the most crucial part of our business, it’s another way for the Society to give back to them.

What has it meant to you, your team and your organisation to be shortlisted for an Investors in People 2023 Award?

When we received the email letting us know we’d been shortlisted, we were absolutely thrilled.

To be shortlisted for an award of this calibre is awesome – it’s a testament to the efforts of all involved; recognition of all the hard work and initiatives we’ve been working on over recent years, and it’s put a smile on every face in the Society.

What would it mean to your organisation to win an Investors in People 2023 Award?

It would be the icing on the cake to our Gold accreditation if we were to win this award. Our HR team – thanks to the input and support of everyone across the Society – have worked hard to provide our people with a flexible work–life balance, so it would be a lovely reward for them as well as a reflection or recognition of this.

We also believe that, as we’re aiming to progress towards our next accreditation in a couple of years’ time and our ultimate goal would be to achieve Platinum, this would be another important milestone on our journey of continuous improvement.

How important is it for your organisation to be a part of the Investors in People community and engaged in awards and events like this one?

Being part of the IIP community is important to us for both our current and prospective employees. It shows the commitment and dedication we’re putting into our people’s working life, and it’s also a great accolade to have for those looking to work with us in the future.

Our long-term mission is to be recognised as an employer of choice, and we see being a Platinum accredited member of the IIP community as key to achieving this, given what it represents.

Being involved in the community and engaging in events keeps us on track in our journey, with awards representing recognition and milestones along the way as we progress towards Platinum and becoming an employer of choice.