Over the last five years, ABEC has scaled rapidly, tripling headcount and expanding our presence across the UK, EMEA and Gulf regions. We recognised early on that rapid growth could risk diluting the values and identity that define us, so we made a conscious effort to protect what’s most important – our culture. We wanted to find a framework that would challenge us, hold us accountable and ensure our people felt inspired, empowered and supported as ABEC continued to grow.
Our journey with Investors in People began in 2022, when we achieved Silver accreditation. With the fantastic support from the IiP team, we were able to strengthen our strategy and, just three years later, proudly achieved Gold. This reflects not only how far we’ve come in a short time, but more importantly the lived experience of our people.
Entering the Awards is a natural next step and a chance to celebrate that progress, benchmark ourselves against the best, and showcase the individuals and teams who make ABEC what it is. We want to highlight their contribution, share our story with the wider industry, and inspire others by proving that culture is not a ‘nice to have,’ but the foundation of sustainable success.
This is the second year in a row we have been recognised, having been nominated across two categories in 2024. We know from experience how such recognition positively impacts our people. It created a sense of pride, reinforced confidence in our strategy and inspired colleagues to play an even more active role in shaping our culture. We saw this reflected directly in our most recent employee survey results, which showed significant improvements in engagement, trust and communication. Ultimately, that momentum helped us progress from Silver to Gold accreditation, retain a happy workforce and attract new talent – outcomes that translated directly into positive business performance and satisfied clients. It is clear evidence of how powerful recognition can be when it builds collective belief and action.
Winning an Investors in People 2025 Award on top of gaining our Gold accreditation would be a moment of tremendous pride and a huge milestone for ABEC. It would confirm that the direction we are taking is the right one and that our commitment to people is delivering real results.
It would be a celebration of the values that unite colleagues across regions and the belief that making work enjoyable is just as important as commercial success. It would recognise the dedication of our people in building a culture that has not been diluted by growth but strengthened by it.
it would also honour the people-first leadership that has guided ABEC from a two-person start-up into a thriving international business. It would affirm that commercial growth and human outcomes can and must go hand in hand, and that the route we took from the start has shaped who we are today.
Winning would also send a powerful message, reassuring our clients that they are working with a values-driven partner and encourage others in our industry (and beyond) to put people first, which, in turn, will drive resilience, innovation and long-term success. Above all, it would be a shared achievement for our people, recognising their contribution, celebrating the culture we have built together and the leader who has championed them every step of the way.
Being part of the Investors in People community is extremely important to ABEC. It provides us with a respected external framework that keeps us accountable and ensures we never lose sight of our goals.
Engaging in awards and events adds another layer of value. It creates opportunities to celebrate progress, share best practice and learn from other organisations who are also putting people at the heart of their strategy. For our employees, being part of the IIP community brings a sense of pride and validation, knowing that their contributions are recognised not only within ABEC but celebrated on a national stage.
For our leaders, the community offers a vital opportunity to test our thinking, challenge ourselves and gain fresh insights. It ensures we do not become complacent and that our approach to leadership, culture and engagement continues to evolve. For our clients, being part of IiP community is a visible sign that they are working with a partner who invests in its people and leads with integrity.
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