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Nurture Targets Gold following IIP SILVER SUCCESS Nurture has achieved the coveted Silver accreditation at the first attempt from Investors in People (IIP) after spending the past four months working with Grant Thornton and their assessor Claire Myerscough. The assessment involved a detailed planning session followed by interviews with Nurture staff to gather a thorough impression of the business from Gardeners to Directors. Interviews with 55 staff were conducted at Windlesham (head office), Rishton and Kilmarnock during December and January. The results revealed that people feel that there is strong leadership with excellent role models at the top and that they take a personal interest in everyone. People also feel empowered: they can contribute ideas to improving performance and take pride in their work. Good work is always recognised. People also feel that there is a clear purpose and vision within Nurture, which is widely known internally with a set of values which underpins the business goals. Silver standard accreditation is achieved by only 6% of IIP accredited organisations and by relatively few landscape maintenance companies. The IIP Standard creates a roadmap for continuous improvement so that the potential of each and every one of Nurture’s employees can be maximised. Following the assessment, the feedback from the IIP assessor has been evaluated and to promote continuous improvement within HAVE YOUR SAY WITH OUR FIRST EMPLOYEE SURVEY As part of our IIP plans for improvement, an employee survey has been implemented and the first survey is available to complete either in paper format or via Survey Monkey using the link https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/esurvey16 The paper copy is enclosed along with a pre-paid envelope for its return. Your feedback is really appreciated and you can provide information anonymously or named whichever you prefer. The survey closes on 20th May. Feedback will take place during the Roadshows and Management meetings in September, so your comments will make a difference. Paul Ellis, Nurture’s Quality & Environmental Manager, said: “We’re delighted to have reached Silver at our first attempt and thank everyone involved. We are a young and growing business and will be aiming to get gold by the end of the year.” Nurture, a management development programme is being drawn up and is expected to be implemented during the summer. Here are some comments which came from our people. “My standard of work is brilliant since I have been here, I am well impressed with myself, that’s why I love it” “We found we have a voice with Nurture” “There’s always something new to learn” “A high standard is the norm” Nurturing People ISSUE 18 | APRIL 2016 Nurture is committed to ensuring its people receive the highest possible training and support. An important new arrival to the senior management is Karen Bish, Nurture’s first Human Resources Manager. Karen has spent 25 years in HR, training and development, including five years at Waterers Landscapes where she worked with many of the current Nurture management. Karen will oversee and develop the people related policies and procedures associated with the Human Resources function within Nurture, as well as being responsible for Management Development Programmes within the business. “It’s an exciting time to be working for Nurture and I’m thrilled to be back with old friends. Nurture has exactly the right culture to bring out the best in people. My role will be to develop the formal structures which underpin that culture.” www.nurturelandscapes.co.uk

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