Hampshire's newest standard bearers for staff development rounded off national Investors In People (IIP) week by joining the 1,250 organisations in the county which have already achieved, or are following, the nationally-recognised standard.

Among them was Southampton law firm Moore and Blatch, which received its IIP award from Hampshire Training & Enterprise Council (TEC).

The awards, which recognise success in linking the training and development of staff to business objectives, were presented by Hampshire TEC managing director Richard Hastilow, at a ceremony at the Botleigh Grange Hotel, Hedge End, hosted by television presenter Sally Taylor.

IIP provides a framework for improving business performance and competitiveness through good practice in human resource development.

Take-up nationally has been impressive with more than one third of the UK workforce, numbering more than eight million people, working for IIP-accredited organisations..

Moore and Blatch is a law firm based in Southampton, Lymington and Milford, employing 170 staff.

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