Suffolk-based Bauder has become the first to achieve the Investors in People - Platinum standard, the most sought after status in the national scheme, within the Construction of Buildings category.

The accolade clearly demonstrates Bauder’s commitment to its strong Culture and inherent staff wellbeing, personal development and embedded leadership practices.

Andrew Mackenzie, managing director said: “This is a remarkable achievement for everybody in our company, we are truly delighted. We never forget that our continued success is reliant on our brilliant staff and I am so proud of the team here and everything they do. It is only right that the Company strives to provide the best possible culture and working environment for all employees and the Investors in People accreditation is a great way of seeing how we are doing and where we should focus to make Bauder an even better place to work.”

Family-owned company Bauder supply flat roof and green roof systems within the construction industry, with a workforce of over 160 employees throughout the UK and Ireland. Bauder had been awarded Gold IIP standard in the two previous assessments and has gained the top accolades since 2012.

Angeline Barnes Head of HR said: ‘We are absolutely thrilled, we work hard to ensure our people focussed culture provides a fulfilling and empowering environment. Alignment of employee initiatives to company objectives enables sustained success and this award will see us continue to work even harder as that journey continues.”

It begins with recruitment, she said, and staff are `on-boarded’ with 8-10 weeks of getting to know all aspects of the business, and also colleagues’ roles. It continued through to career development and developing leaders in the business.

“Our culture stems from being a family-run and family-owned business. That is where our people focussed culture comes from.

“It is our people that provide our success. That is the bottom line.

“We all have to watch out for each other, being mindful of others and care for their wellbeing.”

It is demonstrated in many ways, she said. ranging from training on mental health and stress in the workplace, to yoga classes, Bauder Bootcamp fitness classes and charity fundraising.

Every two years there is a company get-together, in a hotel, with employees and their families and various activities include It’s a Knock-out style games.

Can this caring attitude be measured?

Perhaps it can in staff turnover.

“Our average length of service across the business is six-and-a-half years. Most businesses are doing fairly well if they can achieve two years,” she added.

The IIP Platinum accreditation is the highest accolade that can be achieved against the Investors in People Standard and is currently held by only 1% of IIP accredited organisations who have truly met and advanced the expectations of our framework