We are delighted to announce that the Useful Simple Trust has achieved Platinum accreditation through Investors in People (IIP), the highest level of its ‘We Invest in People’ framework.
The accreditation recognises organisations that demonstrate a strong commitment to investing in their people, developing effective leadership and creating workplaces where individuals can thrive. Having achieved Gold accreditation in 2023, reaching Platinum reflects the progress we have made in strengthening our people strategy and embedding our Employee Benefit Ethos across the organisation.
A culture shaped by our people
At the Trust, we believe that a positive working culture is built through the way we work together, the opportunities people have to develop, and the extent to which everyone feels able to contribute to the organisation’s direction.
The IIP assessment recognised the strength of our values-led culture, highlighting the connection between our Ethos, leadership approach, and everyday working practices. Importantly, the assessment also heard directly from our people – offering a valuable insight into their experiences of working at the Trust and our associated brands.
Since our previous assessment, we have continued to develop how people are supported, involved, and empowered. The assessment recognised this move towards greater involvement and co-creation, alongside our commitment to continuous improvement and creating an environment where new ideas and different perspectives are welcomed.
“I have been blown away by the passion, dedication, and creativity of your people and experienced many ‘goose bump’ moments during this review. We are always looking for ways to help you make work a better place to be, but a combination of the survey results, the people who I met, and the extensive evidence provided have left a heartfelt impression on me that will remain for quite some time. Thank you for inviting me into the world of Useful Simple Trust and experiencing so much of the amazing work you do for your people and working in partnership with your clients.”
– Tina Hall, Investors in People Practitioner
Continuing the journey
Achieving Platinum is an important milestone, but it is not a destination. The assessment also identified opportunities to keep developing and continuing to support our people as we grow.
Listening to our people and acting on their feedback remains central to how we approach this.
We are grateful to everyone across the Trust who contributed to the assessment and continues to help shape the organisation. Their ideas, commitment, and willingness to challenge and improve the way we work are what make this achievement meaningful.
We look forward to building on this progress and continuing to create a workplace where people can do meaningful work, develop their potential, and make a positive difference.
