A HUDDERSFIELD architectural design and building firm is among Yorkshire firms recognised at the launch of a flexible new approach to Investors in People.

Brunswick Estates took centre stage at the launch event staged at the Royal Armouries in Leeds.

Organised by YHAL, the Investors in People Centre for Yorkshire and Humber, the “new choices, new opportunities” event also celebrated newly-recognised organisations from across the region.

Brunswick Estates, based at Belmont Street, offers services including architectural drawings, interior design, property development, project management and office letting.

Brunswick recently received recognition under the new-look Investors in People framework, which can now be adapted to meet an organisation’s needs – enabling it to give priority to the most important elements, such as improving skills and innovating to meet the challenges ahead.

Alan Whyke, senior partner at Brunswick, said: “It is good to be recognised for what we offer to both our employees as well as our customers.

“The journey to IIP accreditation has brought much improved processes in the way in which we operate and think about our business, our clients and our valued team of dedicated staff.”

Said Mr Whyke: “The process is a real opportunity to take an introspective look at your own business with the aim of making improvements across a number of key areas and increasing internal efficiencies.

“Apart from improvements in the ways in which we garner customer feedback and what we do with that information, it has helped us to formalise all of our training and development processes – helping the company harness the talent that we have.”

More than 2,500 organisations across Yorkshire and Humber are currently recognised with IIP – and YHAL predicts that the flexible framework will encourage even more to work towards the standard.

YHAL chief executive Carole Reid said: “Investors in People has responded to the challenges of the economic climate and the pressure that organisations are feeling to deliver and manage change.

“The new approach will get to the core of an organisation’s issues and priorities and help them move forward and improve performance through people.”

Ms Reid said: “People have never been more vital to your organisation – and now is the perfect time to use the framework to look to the future and be in the strongest possible position when the economy begins to improve.”

As part of the changes, Investors in People is introducing additional Bronze, Silver and Gold recognition to acknowledge the achievement of organisations wishing to go beyond the “core” standard.

A long service award has also been launched as recognition for long-term holders of Investors in People.