North Somerset Enterprise Agency (NSEA), the not-for-profit Weston-super-Mare-based organisation supporting start-up, small and growing businesses, has been awarded continued Investors In People (IIP) status.
NSEA was first accredited IIP status in 1996 and this is reassessed every three years. Investors in People is a national quality standard awarded to well-run organisations that demonstrate good management practice with a high emphasis on best practice people management and development. Organisations achieving the IIP standard have to meet 39 evidence requirements of a well-run organisation.
The prestigious accreditation was re-awarded after NSEA’s small but dedicated team were able to demonstrate, among other merits, strong leadership, a compelling vision and a culture of improvement – all elements that are essential for high performance – to IIP assessors.
NSEA works to stimulate, encourage and support local enterprise and so create a healthy local economy. The team provides impartial and confidential advice and support to North Somerset businesses whether they are start-ups, growing or simply seeking support. Access to free or low cost business advice and services, information, support, training and more is provided in the new ‘one-stop-shop’ facility.
The Investors in People report highlighted the commitment of the NSEA team to both the Chief Executive and the organisation, noting that all enjoy their roles and are proud of what has been achieved, that plans for the future are known, training is delivered, communications are great, staff use their initiative and all are effective members of the team. CEO Angela Hicks was praised for constantly informing and updating the team and keeping them cheerful, positive and highly motivated at all times thus ensuring clients are satisfied.
The report also noted that to have planned, obtained finance and delivered The Hive, North Somerset’s new managed workspace in which businesses can start up and grow, in “what cannot have been easy conditions” is most impressive.
For NSEA, which has been serving businesses in the North Somerset community since 1987, the award helps to reassure its Clients that it is a trusted and steady pair of hands.
“Small and growing businesses, especially those who are starting out, need to know that they are being looked after by an organisation that operates efficiently and professionally and can be relied upon – and IIP accreditation for us, does exactly this.” says NSEA’s Chief Executive Angela Hicks.
“I am incredibly proud of our team who work so hard and deserve this recognition. We are a small team delivering a huge amount of work within limited budgets, but I am delighted to be able to show that we do so in a way that larger organisations would envy.”
The IIP accreditation follows on from a huge year of success for both NSEA and The Hive, which saw Angela win The National Enterprise Network Chairman’s Award 2014 for long service and commitment to the sector and completion of The Hive, She was also named as Property Personality of the Year at the South West Property Awards. This year The Hive has been short-listed for the RICS South West Awards in the Commercial category.
