IiP success is the perfect way to start new year

From the Salisbury Journal, first published Tuesday 3rd Jan 2006.

HYGIENE Cleaning Techniques of Amesbury and Winterbourne Gunner Post Office and Stores will start the New Year in high spirits.

They are the latest businesses to gain or retain the Investors in People accreditation.

The two are very different in size the post office has seven staff and the cleaning company 49 but both pride themselves on looking after their employees and their customers.

Postmaster David Baker, who has been running the post office for 23 years, received the IiP plaque from Richard Whitmore of the Learning and Skills Council Wiltshire and Swindon at a ceremony at the Black Horse Inn, at Hurdcott, earlier this month.

Maryann Huxter, managing director of Hygiene Cleaning Techniques, was last week presented, also by Mr Whitmore, with a certificate to mark her company's retention of the standard, attained in 2002. The presentation marked the culmination of an excellent year for Mrs Huxter.

At last month's Salisbury & District Chamber of Commerce and Industry awards her company was named Small Business of the Year and member of staff Sandra Pearce Employee of the Year.

Mrs Huxter said: "From the company's point of view, Investors in People raises our profile and shows our clients what sort of business we run and the people who run it.

"The message we give to potential clients is that we have staff who are trained and are motivated and valued.

"To have these awards at the end of the year has been tremendous it's what we have worked all year for."

Mr Baker said he was encouraged to go for the IiP standard by Mr Whitmore.

An inspector visited the premises on a Thursday morning.

"Not only was it busy in the post office, but it was Journal day as well," said Mr Baker.

"The inspector interviewed me and my wife, Becky, who runs the retail side, and the staff.

"I announced to the staff that we had been successful at our Christmas party. We are absolutely chuffed about it and I have put the plaque at the counter point so everyone can see it."

Mr Baker's grandfather bought the business in 1967 and one current member of staff had worked for him. Another has been with the business only a few months. "They are all wonderful," said Mr Baker.

Mrs Huxter's company is now trying for a national training award.

Mr Whitmore said the Investors in People process had been running for 15 years and there was real value for businesses in "sticking with it".

"It's a good business investment tool," he said.

Archive Home