International recognition for North East law firm

An independent North East law firm has won an international award for people management.

Newcastle-based Hay & Kilner has been awarded the ‘We invest in people – Silver accreditation’, by Investors in People (IIP), further demonstrating their ongoing commitment to the development of their employees and being a great place to work.

Investors in People is the international standard for people management and defines what it takes to ‘lead, support and manage people effectively to achieve sustainable results’.

Staff at the 80-year-old Newcastle law firm were asked to complete engagement surveys over a number of months which were submitted to IIP, who had on-site visits and meetings with staff and partners to review the supporting documents.

The report showed staff were incredibly positive about the success of the multi-award winning firm and felt proud to work for Hay & Kilner, with its ‘supportive, nurturing culture and the friendliness of partners being noted as particular highlights’.

Hay & Kilner’s employment law partner, Sarah Furness, said: “I am incredibly proud of the whole team for this achievement - absolutely thrilled.

“To be awarded Silver and be told that we are just 40-percent off reaching Gold, for our first time applying is amazing.

“We are already putting in place a three-year plan to further reinforce our values and company culture to ensure everything aligns internally. The report included so much positive feedback, which was great to receive.

“Over the past five years, we have moved to better offices at the Lumen building in the Newcastle Helix hybrid city quarter, we’ve improved our brand identity, invested heavily in employee engagement and culture, and been on a huge growth strategy which we will be continuing over the next five years.

“We recognise that people are our biggest assets, and this forms part of our plan to ensure that we recruit and retain the best talent and that our amazing culture is championed throughout the business. The Silver IIP accreditation forms just part of the bigger picture.”

Established in 1946, Hay & Kilner is one of the top independent full-servicing law firms in the North East, providing comprehensive legal advice to businesses and individuals, within and outside the region.

Hay & Kilner say progression, service excellence, innovation and being a great place to work remain their long-term strategy and vision, having implemented a number of changes and initiatives, with the long-term strategy being to reinforce and embed these further.

Paul Devoy, CEO of Investors in People, said: “Silver accreditation by Investors in People (IIP) is a remarkable effort for any organisation, and places Hay & Kilner in fine company with a host of organisations that understand the value of people.”

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