THE future’s looking good for Russell Taylor Group and its workforce as the business continues to be recognised for its constant focus on its staff in a “working together” ethos that’s driving growth.

Development, training and a high investment in their wellbeing have been seen to be at the heart of the company’s achievement in gaining the prestigious Investors in People (IIP) standard.

And it’s this strong people-focused culture, with management and their teams continually working in unison, that will set the business on course for long-term sustainable and sustained growth over the coming years.

In its report after a rigorous inspection, Russell Taylor Group, which has grown from a father and son vision to a national technical recruitment operation with an expanding team of industry specialists, was described by IIP as being able to offer “unrivalled” temporary and permanent recruitment solutions in the UK’s construction, engineering, oil and gas, manufacturing, scientific and energy sectors.

This is the second time the company has achieved IIP status, getting its first accreditation 10 years ago - a matter of five years since the business was originally set up - and has been constantly working to the organisation’s high standards of making work better, putting people first and caring about their work-life balance to build a stronger, healthier and happier society.

Assisted by Russell Taylor Group’s HR, quality and facilities manager, Jennifer Scott, IIP practitioner John Spitz visited the company’s Burton Manor headquarters to interview employees where he discovered the 60-plus workforce were all committed to the success of the business, demonstrated by their enthusiasm and excitement as goals and targets were achieved.

Importantly, a major commitment by the business to its staff manifested itself by the creation of a highly motivated workforce who “certainly enjoyed” their jobs.

His report highlighted major strides taken by Russell Taylor Group during what he described as “challenging times and a highly competitive climate for the industry”.

These included achieving the second ever best sales month in October 2021, opening successful new office ventures in Scotland, Manchester, Liverpool and London and gaining Constructionline Gold which externally confirms environmental management, equalities and diversity, quality management and legislative compliance.

Prior to the pandemic, the business’ parent company Russell Taylor Holdings maintained its position as the UK’s fastest-growing privately-owned recruitment company. Here, its outstanding success in driving growth was attributed to two vital factors – its family values and workplace culture.

Even during the outbreak, Russell Taylor Group’s continued pursuit of excellence resulted in the company receiving major regional business awards - West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year and, showing commitment to “home grown” talent, the organisation’s Young Person of the Year award.

Since the last IIP assessment, head office had relocated to Burton Manor which, said Mr Spitz, provides a first class environment for employees with its “fabulous, extensive, spacious new offices and large, manicured, beautiful gardens with fantastic views over the countryside, excellent staff and visitor facilities, impressive facilities for staff which include a gym, large meeting area and café”.

Playing a large part in the Burton Village community, Burton Manor also received accolades for a major Russell Taylor project to restore the historic building, its gardens and grounds to their former glory.

However, one of the most important findings of the report shows the Russell Taylor Group commitment to its policy of employing apprentices to become valued members of the business. Several managers had started their working lives as apprentices or junior staff and had been promoted several times before eventually taking on senior roles in the company.

Leading, managing and developing people brought universal praise from employees for directors and management who were described as “accessible, open, honest and always supportive”.

By working to a culture embracing work-life balance, the report said initiatives such as flexible working, individual health care, childcare vouchers and maternity/paternity leave made Russell Taylor Group a place where talented people wanted to work. Reward and recognition was high on the agenda too with many incentives for high-achieving recruiters and for back office staff who “go the extra mile”. Now that coronavirus restrictions are easing, the annual reward trip to a five-star location in Portugal has been relaunched along with dining out events at exclusive locations.

Russell Taylor Group managing director Rob Kurton said: “We are delighted to once again have achieved this IIP standard which proves that for a business to be successful, it has to  have the interests of its people at its heart.

“Our ethos is all about encouraging staff to develop their careers, make the most of their talents and work their way up to positions of seniority.

“This way, we can retain people within the business and ensure excellent standards are always delivered to the employers hiring in our operational sectors throughout the UK and to job-seeking professionals, technicians and qualified trades people keeping the wheels of our industries turning.

“We are already on a path of continuous improvement and our sights are now set on sustainability and further growth by increasing recruitment sales and opening up new operational bases nationwide while, at the same time, maintaining excellent working conditions for those who work for us – simply putting our people first.”