Independent property consultancy GBR Phoenix Beard has been awarded Investors In People (IIP) status, with the accreditation coming just over a year since it merged with Optic Asset Management. The company employs 130 people across its Birmingham, London and Leeds offices, with employee numbers increasing at an average of 10% per annum over the last three years, reflecting strong growth in both annuity and transactional activity across all parts of the business. The IIP assessors praised GBR Phoenix Beard for its extremely high levels of employee engagement, and the supportive and professional approach in the way it leads, manages and develops it staff.
IIP is a national quality standard which defines good practice for improving an organisation’s performance through its people. Developed in 1990 by a partnership of leading businesses and national organisations in the UK, the standard helps businesses to improve performance and realise objectives through the management and development of their people.
Commenting on the award, Managing Director Simon Farrant said:
“This award is one of the proudest achievements in our history, reflecting the dedication and engagement of staff at all three locations and at all levels. Work forms such an important part of people’s lives that it is imperative that we create a positive, fun, open and rewarding working environment, which empowers our employees. An overriding aim of my management team is to make GBR Phoenix Beard an attractive place to work and to offer a distinct alternative to the larger, often global businesses we compete against.
We produced our strongest ever annual results at the end of 2015, which is as a direct result of the commitment of our various teams who are all well positioned to exceed our client’s ever changing business needs. Looking ahead and in line with a new three year business plan being launched in April, we expect revenues and profit to continue increasing. I look forward to the next three years with confidence.”
Hannah Bracknall, GBR Phoenix Beard’s head of HR, managed the firm’s application for IIP and added:
“I am delighted that we have been awarded IIP status, this being testament to the hard work of all of our employees who are highly committed to supporting our objective to be the leading UK independent property consultancy. IIP is widely recognised as setting a benchmark for best practice in HR management. As a people business, it is vitally important that we continually invest in offering employees the opportunity to develop their careers flexibly, enabling everyone to reach their full potential. This accreditation will serve to further raise our profile, differentiate us from our competitors and allow us to attract new talent into the business, whilst reconfirming our strategy of investing in the employee brand.”