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FirstGroup's Shared Services FSS achieves Investors in People status
Friday 2 October 2009
Staff at First Shared Services (FSS) were celebrating this month after having been awarded the celebrated Investors in People (IIP) status.
FSS is the financial processing centre for UK’s leading transport operator, FirstGroup. At its city centre headquarters in Aberdeen, FSS staff provide services such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, banking services, financial accounting and system administration.
The IIP award recognises businesses that demonstrate world-class good practice in people management. Recent research has shown that achieving IIP helps organisations to improve employee engagement, retention, customer service and supports the achievement of strategic objectives.
Richard Emslie, FSS Controller said: “We are delighted to have achieved the IIP standard. We firmly believe that our people are key to FSS’ success; we put a tremendous amount of time and effort into their development and making sure they are fully engaged with our business ethos.
“At the same time, the journey towards achieving the IIP standard has provided us with a useful framework for continuous development and also helped us identify new ideas for improving our business performance. We will be continuing to work with IIP to ensure that we continue to improve.”
The IIP report highlighted a number of areas that impressed including FSS’ positive approach to learning and development opportunities for its 80 staff and its induction process for new members of staff. The report also talked in glowing terms about FSS’ ‘thirst for improvement’.
“Our staff are our most important resource. Securing the IIP status reflects our ongoing commitment to our people,” added Richard Emslie.
Launched in 1992 Investors in People is recognised as the UK’s principal standard for improving business performance through people. To date, over 35,000 organisations employing almost seven million people have achieved Investors in People recognition.
Pictured: First Shared Services Controller Richard Emslie (foreground) is joined by First Shared Services staff.