The Society, which currently employs over 1,000 people, is the first large organisation in the UK to be awarded this standard and the first in financial services. It was first awarded Investors in People in 1993 and has this standard reviewed every three years.
Designed to benefit all organizations, regardless of size or sector, the Leadership and Management Model is a flexible development framework for ensuring that organizations create, manage and invest in effective leadership and management. The Model covers issues such as leadership and management selection, links to culture and creating the environment for the successful development of leaders and managers.
John Goodfellow, chief executive and director of Skipton Building Society, commented: “On behalf of everyone at the Society, I would like to put on record how pleased we are with this achievement and my thanks to everyone whose efforts have made this possible. We view training and development policies as vital to retain and grow staff and this standard is due recognition of this. Investors in People is all about continuous development and in terms of our staff this is what the Society is about.”
Sir Graham Hall, chairman of Yorkshire Forward added: "The Investors in People Leadership and Management Model award is about setting unattainable goals, and then attaining them and about creating a vision for the future and then living it. I am delighted that the Skipton Building Society's leadership skills have led them to become the first major employer in financial services in the UK to win the award."
