Investors in People

Capita and Investors in People

Demonstrating a real commitment to its people, Capita first achieved Investors in People accreditation in April 2005 at its Bromley Shared Service Centre. This was closely followed by successful accreditation at its Shared Service Centre in Mendip in 2006.

Maintaining the required standard for accreditation is a continuing process with recognition reviews being required every three years.

The Investors in People standard provides a framework that helps organisations improve performance and realise objectives through the effective management and development of their people.

The Investors in People standard is based on three key principles:

  • Plan - Developing strategies to improve the performance of the organisation
  • Do - Taking action to improve the performance of the organisation
  • Review - Evaluating the impact on the performance of the organisation

Capita’s Bromley Shared Service Centre

In 2008 Capita’s Bromley Shared Service Centre successfully underwent an assessment review to retain its Investors in People recognition. The IiP assessor recognised Capita in the following areas as demonstrating good practice or exceeding the requirements of the Investors in People standard:

  • A very open culture where people’s ideas are both welcomed and valued
  • Particularly strong performance appraisal where people have a good understanding of how their role contributes to the success of Capita at Bromley
  • A particularly effective induction process
  • Training opportunities including on the job and off the job training relevant to the persons role
  • Development of people’s talent
  • Clearly defined management competencies – a culture of good management across the organisation where people find senior management very approachable

Capita’s Mendip Shared Service Centre

Capita’s Mendip Shared Service Centre achieved Investors in People recognition in September 2006. The following were some of the highlighted strengths and areas of good practice at this site:

  • A much improved induction programme in terms of content and timely delivery
  • The introduction of Service Improvement Groups (SIGs) enabling people to become more engaged and involved with special projects
  • Excellent partnership working with Mendip District Council by involving business unit representatives on SIGs for mutual benefit and gain
  • Well established communication and performance management of individual and team objectives
  • Consistent and comprehensive delivery of task specific training aligned to meeting performance measures
  • An efficient and effective exit interview process

The benefits of being an Investors in People employer:

Over the past 12 years independent research has consistently shown that the Investors in People standard provides real business benefits to organisations of all sizes and across all sectors:

  • Improved earnings, productivity and profitability
    Skilled and motivated people work harder and better, improving productivity
  • Customer satisfaction
    Investors in People is central to helping employees become customer focused, enabling organisations to effectively meet customer needs
  • Improved motivation
    Motivation is improved through employees’ greater involvement, personal development and recognition of their achievements. This leads to higher morale, improved retention rates, reduced absenteeism, readier acceptance of change, and identification with the organisation’s goals beyond the confines of the job
  • Reduced costs and wastage
    Skilled and motivated people constantly examine their work to contribute towards reducing costs and wastage
  • Enhanced quality Investing in people significantly improves the results of quality programmes. Investors in People adds considerable value to The Excellence Model, ISO 9000, BS 5750 and other total quality initiatives
  • Competitive advantage through improved performance
    Investor in People organisations develop a competitive edge
  • Public recognition
    Investors in People status brings public recognition for real achievements measured against a rigorous National Standard. Being an Investor in People helps to attract the best quality job applicants. It may also provide a reason for customers to choose specific goods and services

The Future

Capita is committed to continued development of its people through upholding the principles and ethos of the Investors in People standard and is currently working toward achieving accreditation at its Blackburn Business Centre.

Information about Investors in People is available on their website, where you can find details of the standard.