THE first seven North-East organisations to reach the gold standard for investing in their staff have been named.

The businesses, organisations and schools have been presented with the region’s first Investors in People (IIP) Gold Awards.

IPS Flow Systems of Seaham, in County Durham; Oakdene Primary School, in Stockton; South Tyneside Homes; Oxclose Primary School, in Washington; Gentoo Group, in Sunderland; Wyndham Primary School, in Newcastle and Linhope Pupil Referral Unit, in Newcastle, all achieved the standard.

Robert Macleod, managing director of IIP North-East, said: “They have not only committed themselves to improving their business performance through IIP but also chosen to go for gold.

“Less than one per cent of all IIP organisations in the UK achieve gold and it means they have achieved worldwide best practice.”

David Stidolph of IPS Flow Systems, in Seaham, said: “We have a very loyal workforce of 41 employees and IIP plays a very important part in our drive to continually improve our business.”

The region has more than 2,000 businesses and organisations from engineering and construction companies to local authorities and health trusts currently working with Investors in People. The IIP standard provides a framework for improving business performance, productivity and competitiveness.