Proudly holding the IiP Silver plaque are (left to right): Karen Vanstone, Regional Training Advisor; Jack Hodson, apprentice; David Gough, Regional Director.

Affordable housing and regeneration specialist Lovell has achieved the rare distinction of an Investors in People Silver Award. The Midlands region of the company learned of the Award at the completion of a rigorous assessment procedure overseen by Investors in People (IiP) assessors.

Awarding Lovell in the Midlands its Silver Award, Investors in People’s Steve McGloin commented:

“The Silver Standard is a very challenging one to meet and is increasingly seen as a measure of a quality employer. Your success not only reflects your own commitment but is also an acknowledgement of the effort of everyone who works for the organisation.”

Of the organisations that work towards IiP accreditation, fewer than 5% achieve Silver or above. The evaluation process involved detailed paper assessment but also interviews with over 70 people and eight operational sites visited, as well as the regional office in Woodgate Valley.

The final assessment report said:

“The organisation is to be congratulated on achieving the Silver award as a reflection of the good practice demonstrated at all levels in its people management practices.

“Your leadership and line management approach supports and encourages people to take positive advantage of the opportunities presented to them; people are able to develop and demonstrate the qualities that will be rewarded through personal development and career progression.

“People take responsibility readily and consider that there is a culture that will allow them to learn and develop from mistakes – they can ‘take it on the chin’ without fear – although this is rightly tempered with the need to meet the targets and standards that are set and expected.

“The sense of being part of a team and of a sense of family values is very motivational and inspires loyalty that is reflected in long service rates above the norm in the construction sector. The sense of team or family is extended to new members of the Lovell family and has been instrumental in helping newly recruited staff – including TUPE – to settle in effectively and productively.”

David Gough, regional director of Lovell in the Midlands, commented:

“This is a vitally important award to us because it really is our people that mark us out from our competitors in the industry. It is an award that can only be achieved when everyone is pulling together, so this is an accolade earned by every single employee in the region.

“I’m particularly pleased about the assessment feedback that points to our willingness to welcome new people into the Lovell family; the no-blame culture that demands high standards but accepts that people make mistakes and should have the confidence to admit to them, correct them, learn from them and move on; and also our commitment to giving people the opportunity to forge ahead in their careers within the company

“It’s rewarding to see that the combination of carefully thought-out and rigorous processes and procedures together with enthusiastic and committed employees has created an environment where each member of the team works for each other and takes responsibility for their own actions. The customer is always our prime focus and we believe investing in our people is the surest way to make that happen. It is good to have independent verification that we are on the right track.”

Lovell in the Midlands has had IiP status since 2006 but has never had Silver before. The company invests around five times the amount of time in its staff training than the industry standard, and is unique in offering residential block release apprenticeships (which generate an 86% completion rate compared to the industry average of 70%). Apprentices do their training in a purpose-built and superbly equipped facility. They also receive a free toolkit, all living and travelling expenses and a personal mentor.

Lovell also runs a Management Development Academy and gives a wealth of Continuous Professional Development opportunities for staff as they strive for further professional qualifications and memberships

David Gough concludes:

“We now have a continuous improvement plan in place as we work towards the Gold standard. The Silver was a real challenge – but we achieved it, so why not aim to be the very best?”