Silver Sweep for intu Retail Services

intu Retail Services, the facilities management arm of intu, the leading owner, developer and manager of prime regional shopping centres in the UK, is celebrating successful accreditation by Investors In People (IIP), the internationally recognised standard for people management.

All 15 intu branded shopping centres have been assessed through the framework and achieved silver standard across the board, with intu Trafford Centre achieving gold. Going beyond the minimum standard of accreditation reflects intu's ability as an employer to lead, empower and support employees successfully as part of one aligned organisation.

Brian Boundy, managing director of intu Retail Services said: "Achieving silver across the board is a great achievement, particularly as not only was this the first time we'd put the centres through the framework, we also went for accreditation of all 15 intu centres simultaneously. Our people are fundamental to the success of our business and Investors in People recognises how far we've come over the past two years. "

The Investors in People standard acknowledges businesses which are great employers and deliver excellence as demonstrated by intu's commitment to providing a group wide training initiative to deliver 'world-class service.' The company' s latest economic contribution report also highlights the great work intu has carried out to instil company principles with 91 per cent of employees reporting that they believe that intu puts the customer at the heart of everything- a key part of the company's overarching strategy.

Formed in 2013, intu Retail Services brought together over 2,000 facilities management and operational staff within intu centres in an innovative joint venture with Bilfinger Europa. This distinctive business model has unifies all employees with the strong intu brand and has focussed them all towards creating compelling experiences for all visitors to intu centres.

At this week's British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) Awards which recognise and celebrate excellence in Facilities Management. intu achieved a Highly Commended Award for Brand Impact which acknowledges the creation of intu Retail Services to bring together all facilities management expertise and deliver it in a way consistent with the intu brand.

The success of the strategy has been independently recognised. In 2014 intu won the PFM Partners in FM, Retail Facilities award and is the only shopping centre business to be accredited by the Institute of Customer Service.