Company news Investors in Pensord people

Investors in Pensord people

Investors in Pensord people

Controlled circulation magazine printer Pensord has joined an elite group – less than 2%* of companies throughout the printing industries to achieve the Investors in People Standard, the hallmark of best practice, that reinforces the company’s ethos of business improvement through its best asset – its own Pensord People.

The announcement of Investors in People (IiP) comes as recognition of Pensord’s commitment to developing its employees, a commitment that has earned the leading sheet-fed printer an enviable reputation in the industry, and delivered some notable success, with a Turnaround Award at the BPIF Excellence Awards, and turnover in excess of £11m.

Pensord Chief Executive Tony Jones said: “This business is all about the people and so it is hugely gratifying to be recognised for the way we develop and broaden the skills of everyone here at Pensord. We are very proud to be recognised as Investors in People, particularly in an industry where such recognition is rare, and dedicate it to everyone here who has worked so hard to achieve it.

The Standard has been awarded by the delivery body in Wales, the Welsh Assembly Government. The IiP award may be new, but good practice in people development has been ongoing for the past four and a half years, with extensive training and the broadening of skills to improve efficiency and make the customer experience a more rewarding one. When that good practice aligns with the Standard, then the company goes for it.

Amongst the comments in the IIP Assessor’s Report are the following: “Everything that the organisation does is achieved through the involvement of people. There is good evidence to demonstrate that employees continually expand their knowledge and develop to achieve improved efficiency and performance. Some very good practices were evidenced. The Investors in People Award will be a worthy accolade for the hard work, team efforts, and strong commitment to staff involvement and development.

IiP Assessor Julie Hobby said: “I was impressed by the way the directors at Pensord had turned the business around into a highly effective organisation.  The focus on developing a strong people culture is clearly adding value to the business. The IiP award is a worthy accolade for the hard work and achievements made by the whole team at Pensord.”

The company’s milestones on the road to IiP include the Pensord Charter that established the foundations for all business relationships; a Stakeholder scheme to reward staff with a share in the business; a Charitable Trust to benefit worthy causes; a Business Improvement Development Plan; the Employee Forum to encourage ideas from all areas of the business; performance development reviews to establish the development needs of every member of staff; an induction programme to ensure fair treatment for all; the People Development Academy to develop latent potential for progression within the business; and a Staff Handbook to set out the expectations for all Pensord People.

Throughout the process, Pensord has been advised by local training consultancy Qualtech. Qualtech’s Jackie Lewis says: “This is a great achievement for Pensord and thoroughly deserved. The company has always in my experience sought to invest in its people, to broaden their skills and enhance everyone’s understanding of how the business works, and the significance of their role in that, and Investors in People is simply recognition of this enlightened approach.”