A FAMILY-run hotel group in the Midlands – with establishments in Worcestershire and Warwickshire - has joined an elite club of employers across the country after being awarded the coveted Investors in People Gold status across its two properties.

The Abbey Hotel in Redditch and Lea Marston Hotel in North Warwickshire have both been upgraded to the prestigious gold award, making them the only hotels in the two counties with the top accreditation.

Across the UK they join an elite list of hotels to have met the stringent criteria required of the gold standard in people management.

The Abbey and Lea Marston hotels met 169 of the Investors in People evidence requirements, which raised them from bronze straight to gold.

Across the two hotels, 300 members of staff manage more than 200 rooms, as well as conference and banqueting facilities, restaurants, health spas and a golf course.

Abbey Hotel and Lea Marston managing director Tom Kirkham said: “This is such a coveted award and shows just how hard we work to create a happy working environment. Our people are at the heart of our organisation and satisfied employees also translates into satisfied customers. We are like one big family.

“It’s been a busy few years for the hotels, with lots of investment and growth, and our team members have played a key role in that success. Over the next 18 months we will be working towards maintaining gold status and even making further improvements where possible.”

As well as meeting all the general requirements set out as part of the Investors in People standard, the hotels have been focusing on rolling out the employee branding that runs alongside the recent re-branding of the group. This included involving staff to create the strap line ‘delivering a warm welcome’ and the evolving the hotels’ vision and mission.

As part of the accreditation, an Investors in People spokesperson said: “The 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. I would like to congratulate the team on this excellent achievement.”

Investors in People has set the standard for better people management since 1991. The internationally-recognised accreditation defines what it takes to lead, support and manage people well for sustainable results.

The Investors in People standard is underpinned by a rigorous assessment methodology and a framework which reflects the very latest workplace trends, essential skills and effective structures required to outperform in any industry.