Investors in People is the most successful framework for business improvement through people and Hardies have benefited from ongoing, bespoke advice and support from Investors in People Scotland. An accreditation at Gold level, requires a solid foundation of good practice, a challenging and aspirational environment and scope for development and growth.

Investors in Young People is the only people management standard that focuses on an employer’s recruitment and retention of young people. Investors in Young People accreditation demonstrates Hardies as an employer of choice for young people and testifies to their effective Youth Employment practices. Offered to all businesses across Scotland, the award recognises and supports organisations in the employment of young people.

Commenting on the awards, Derek Ferrier, Hardies managing partner said: “We are delighted to achieve both of these prestigious accreditations, which are the result of a great deal of hard work and investment in personnel, and in our working practices over the years. Our employees are the very heart of our organisation, and we promote a fully supported working environment. As a firm we have always done our bit to bring on the next generation in our industry by operating both a student and graduate trainee scheme. We also offer in house training for other staff members to ensure they can grown in their roles.”

“We would like to thank and commend Investors in People Scotland for their support and advice to us over the past few years, without which we could not have achieved this level of success. We can only encourage other firms in our sector to get on board with this.”

Peter Russian, chief executive of Investors in People Scotland, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Hardies, and I would like to wholeheartedly congratulate them on their Investors in People and Investors in Young People accreditations. These awards recognise Hardies’ ongoing commitment to good practice in relation to their people, including young people at the start of their working careers”.