07/12/09 - Seddon Leads the Field in the Pursuit of Excellence

 

Innovative painting and maintenance company Seddon Property Services has confirmed its status as industry leaders after achieving the Investors In Excellence standard.

 

The national company is among the first in its field to be awarded the prestigious standard.

 

Seddon Property Services maintains homes and properties across the UK, employing over 600 people from 27 offices.  The firm provides services to a range of major organisations, including housing associations and local government offices across Britain.

 

Investors in Excellence is the UK’s recognised standard for organisations who are able to demonstrate high standards across areas such as leadership, policy and strategy, customer and staff relations, and training.

 

Seddon Property Services were assessed over a three day period during October 2009, with three site visits that consisted of a schedule of interviews with a cross section of employees.

 

They found that Seddon Property Services has a ‘strong, open leadership style emanating from the long-established family and very experienced management team.’

 

The assessor said that staff across the company showed a ‘fierce loyalty’ to the business and that all leaders work closely with various stakeholders, partners and customers in developing close relationships and understanding: including product enhancements at national levels and sponsorships at local community levels.

 

Highlights also included Seddon Property Service’s firm commitment to the environment and sustainability – and a firm commitment to its training and development programme.

 

“We are delighted to have met the very high standards promoted by Investors in Excellence,” said Neil Hand, joint Managing Director of Seddon Property Services.

 

“This award is a reflection of the hard work carried out by the Seddon team across the UK.”

 

Donna McMullon, PA to the company’s Managing Directors, project managed the Investors In Excellence accreditation process. She said: “As an organisation, we pride ourselves on staff development and training and believe that this is reflected in high standards of customer service and satisfaction.

 

“Seddon has a long tradition of training its own staff - all workers from apprentices to painters with 20 to 30 years in the trade are encouraged to continually improve their performance - while our Stoke-on-Trent training centre is recognised as one of the best in the industry.”

 

A spokesman from the Investors in Excellence inspection team said: “Considerable focus has been placed on customer care over recent times alongside a huge investment in training and development. The business continues to support an extensive apprenticeship programme.

 

“There was a general sense of being part of a family firm which had been around for many years and that remains determined to continue to build on its strong base and the strength and security that this provided.”

 

 

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Notes to Editors

 

 

The Investors In Excellence assessor said:

 

• Staff feel their input is valued and management respond rapidly to their needs

 

• Training and development is seen as ‘the strength’ of the business

 

• The company has a very positive approach to customer and supplier relations

 

• Positive partnerships have been developed with customers including joint community initiatives and sponsorship of good causes

 

• The company is financially well managed

 

• The company holds social events to encourage good relationships

 

• It demonstrates an ability to develop to meet changing working practises and industry standards.

 

Seddon Property Services has its headquarters in Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent and regional offices across Britain. It is part of Seddon Group Limited, one of Britain’s major privately owned construction companies, with an annual turnover in excess of £250 million, which employs 1,750 people.

 

Seddon Group is a corporate partner of The Christie, one of Europe's leading cancer centres.

 

Press release issued by Jane Shepherd, Shepherd PR. Contact 01538 308685/308099 jane@shepherd-pr.com

 

Seddon contact - Mike Gabriel, Marketing Manager - 01782 599511

 

Seddon Group Ltd

P.O. Box 13

55 Duke Street

Fenton

Stoke-on-Trent

ST4 3NN