First Names Group has announced that its Guernsey office has been awarded the STEP Platinum Employer Partner accreditation, the highest of three tiers awarded under the STEP Employer Partnership Programme.
Having first gained partner status in 2015, First Names Group was an early adopter of the programme, which is designed to help employers in the fiduciary sector plan and deliver the best possible learning experience for everyone within their organisation. This latest accreditation follows achievement of the Platinum badge by the Group’s Jersey business in 2017.
To achieve Platinum status an organisation must show that learning and development is championed throughout the business and facilitated by a positive working environment. Already achieving this level of accreditation for two jurisdictions is a testament to the strength of the learning and development curriculum, policies, practices and structures that the Group has in place.
STEP has been particularly impressed by First Names Group’s unique ‘Ascent’ career development framework, which takes people offsite and out of their comfort zone, challenging them to grow, helping them develop personal strategies, and inspiring them to drive their own achievements.
Driving the Group’s learning and development agenda is Helen Baxter, Head of Talent Management. She said:
“At First Names Group we recognise that finding, nurturing and retaining talented individuals is key to the continued success of our business and people-centric culture. We’re thrilled to have now achieved this formal STEP recognition for Guernsey as well as Jersey – though, of course, our innate focus on personal and professional development extends Group-wide. We are committed to achieving Platinum status in more of our worldwide jurisdictions, so watch this space!”
Jenni Hutchinson, Head of Employer Partnerships at STEP, commented:
“We are delighted to award First Names Group’s Guernsey business the STEP Platinum Employer Partner accreditation. First Names Group has demonstrated excellent learning and development opportunities and support for its staff across both Channel Islands offices. I would in particular commend them for their first class ‘Ascent’ development programme, which nurtures and develops talent at all levels across the business. Many congratulations; I look forward to working with Helen on bringing further First Names Group offices on board in future.”
