Hood Group Achieves Investor in People Silver Accreditation

Hood Group Achieves Investor in People Silver Accreditation

Southend-based affinity insurance provider, Hood Group, is proud to announce that it has become one of a select number of organisations across the world to achieve the prestigious Silver Status by Investors in People (IIP).

Obtaining Silver Status puts Hood Group in the top 15 percent of IIP companies in the UK.

Hood Group Head of Human Resources, Karen Otton, comments: “From the thousands that seek Investors in People accreditation, only a small percentage gain Silver status. We achieved our first IIP accreditation 10 years ago and have continued to have been assessed against the core standard. However, as a company we made the decision to strive for the advanced level last year. This meant that we needed to meet an additional 76 evidence requirements proving our commitment to our people across a range of criteria from communications and training to career development and strategy. Achieving Silver Status has demonstrated that Hood Group puts its people at the heart of everything we do and we are delighted with this achievement.”

Since 1991 IIP has set the standard for better people management and its internationally recognised accreditation is held by 15,000 organisations across 75 countries worldwide. The Standard defines what it takes to lead, support and manage people for sustainable results. It is underpinned by a rigorous assessment methodology and framework which reflects the latest workplace trends, essential skills and effective structures required to perform in any industry.

During the assessment process, Dave Abdul, IIP Assessor spent time within the business, based in Southend-on -Sea, interviewing a cross section of staff and senior management in order to gain an extensive overview of company culture, procedures, practice and staff investment.

Dave Abdul, IIP Assessor: “Hood Group provides a great environment for staff to work in and firmly believes that by looking after the staff, they in turn will look after the customer. Such a high level of accreditation demonstrates a commitment to staff development and shows an organisation committed to being the very best it can be.”

Investors in People is owned by the UK government, managed nationally by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills and supported by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.