Kent Union is proud to announce their Investors in People Gold standard re-accreditation.

The Students’ Union at the University of Kent has been re-awarded the Investors in People Gold standard, in a landmark year.

As the Union celebrates their 50th anniversary alongside the University, a touch more gold now marks the already very special jubilee year!

The award, which showcases and celebrates outstanding people management, followed an external IIP assessment involving interviews with 100 career staff, student staff and student volunteers, to ensure that the organisation once again continues to meet the high IIP Gold standards.

IIP Gold is the highest standard in the Investors in People framework. It is only held by around 3% of the 20,000 organisations globally that hold IIP accreditation; even fewer have held IIP Gold through 2 separate assessments.

Tammy Naidoo Kent Union President says: ‘The University and Union are celebrating their 50th anniversary and it’s great to be able to mark the Union’s golden jubilee with the highest IIP award! It’s just been a golden year all round, and I hope this continues into 2015 and beyond!’

Jim Gardner Kent Union CEO says: ‘Kent Union is one of only two students’ unions in the UK to hold IIP Gold; strong evidence that we are an outstanding employer, have a positive and constructive culture and are highly effective at supporting and empowering volunteers.’

Kent Union achieved 180 of the 195 total criteria, which is well above the 165 criteria needed to achieve IIP Gold. The IIP Assessor highlighted particular strengths including a strong values-led culture and focus on social responsibility; the development, embedding and communication of the new strategic plan; the positive organisational culture and focus on consulting and empowering staff and volunteers and communicating with staff and volunteers; the strong sense, and understanding, of collective purpose and strategy across the organisation.

A more detailed report of the assessment will be sent to the Union shortly, enabling the organisation to continue to maintain and improve people management standards.