Investors in People Gold Award

We’re delighted to announce that we have successfully retained the coveted Investors in People (IIP) Gold standard following our recent assessment. This recognition places us among the top 17% of accredited organisations worldwide, underscoring our commitment to being the best employer we can be.

Neil Blanchard, our Chief Executive, says, “I am incredibly proud to share this achievement. Retaining the IIP Gold standard is a significant milestone, reflecting the dedication and hard work of everyone at Southdown. This accolade is a testament to our collective commitment to creating a supportive, dynamic, and fulfilling workplace.”

“With a strong commitment to our employees and the communities we serve, we continue to strive for excellence in everything we do. Thank you to everyone who contributed feedback in the survey and participated in one-to-one interviews. Your insights have been invaluable in helping us achieve this remarkable accomplishment and highlighting how we can develop and improve what we do and how we do things.”

Key highlights from the IIP assessment

The recent assessment highlighted strengths within Southdown that contributed to this prestigious recognition:

• Employee pride and commitment: Our employees consistently expressed a deep sense of pride and enthusiasm in their roles, with a genuine commitment to making a difference for our clients and tenants. This dedication to delivering quality support is at the heart of who we are and our success.
• Strong teamwork and support culture: The assessment noted a robust culture of teamwork and peer-to-peer support throughout the organisation. This collaborative spirit ensures that we continue to thrive as a cohesive and resilient team.
• Respected and accessible management: Our managers were praised for their openness, honesty, and approachability. Senior leaders, in particular, were described as transparent and accessible, fostering a positive and inclusive environment.
• Focus on continuous development: Southdown’s ongoing commitment to organisational development was recognised, with initiatives such as our core values, the Southdown Beacon, and our new Service Delivery Model being highlighted as significant positive steps.

Looking ahead

In the coming weeks, we’ll be developing plans to address areas highlighted for development and improvement, keeping our employees involved and updated at every stage.