Lovell has been awarded the leading Investors in People (IIP) Gold standard award for its excellent people management and staff development in Scotland.

It puts the affordable housing developer and regeneration specialist in the top seven per cent of UK organisations with IIP accreditation and underlines Lovell’s exceptional achievements in helping its workforce develop their professional skills.

Lovell, which employs 90 people in Scotland, designs, builds and sells new homes as well as working with housing associations and local authorities on new-build housing and housing regeneration projects.

Peter Russian, chief executive of IIP Scotland, said: “I’m delighted to see Lovell have achieved Gold level IIP status. Having worked with Investors in People since 2004, I’m well aware of what an excellent organisation they are, and achieving Gold status is testimony to the hard work and dedication of their entire team. I look forward to working with them for years to come.”

The demanding assessment for the sought-after IIP award saw Lovell having to meet 174 evidence requirements and included interviews with staff across the company. The specialist assessor singled out Lovell’s ‘exemplar’ work in the field of corporate social responsibility, praising the company’s achievements in taking on apprentices, employing local people, working with schools and carrying out community projects.

Also highlighted were Lovell’s high standard of training, the strong culture of praise and encouragement and staff members’ belief that the company is “a great place to work”.

The IIP assessor said: “Members of staff feel recognised and valued, and believe that they are very well looked after… Your work in the field of corporate social responsibility and equality and diversity is exemplar, and you are to be commended for the amount of time spent on these areas. Decision making, team working and the sharing of knowledge and information are all areas of strength in your company, and members of staff are very committed to the future success of your company. Many members of staff have long service with your company and have a sense of ownership and pride in working for it.”

Lovell regional director, Alan Taylor, added: “This achievement demonstrates the tremendous importance the company places on ensuring our staff feel valued, supported and encouraged to keep developing their careers. Our people are fundamental to our continuing business success and ensure that we keep delivering to the highest standards for our clients. I’m delighted that our commitment to our staff has been recognised by Investors in People.”

Lovell has put in place a series of ‘People Promises’ to employees including setting a target for 50 per cent of senior roles to be recruited internally. This approach is part of the Morgan Sindall Group People Promise initiative.

Lovell is working on a number of high-profile Scottish housing projects including undertaking £67 million of work to create 757 new homes on 17 sites through West Lothian Council’s new-build social housing programme. The firm is also building the Cherry Hill development at Larkhall, South Lanarkshire, a £6.7 million development of homes for open market sale.