East Midlands-based property consultancies celebrate Investors in People success

Gateley Smithers Purslow (GSP) and Gateley RJA, both part of professional services group Gateley, are celebrating after being awarded platinum and gold status of the Investors in People (IIP) We invest in people accreditation.

The internationally recognised standard for people management is awarded to companies that demonstrate investment and dedication in creating an engaging, supportive and productive workplace culture. The detailed assessment process involves an employee survey and individual interviews with team members, including senior management.

With a head office in Rutland, GSP is a leading multi-disciplinary surveying, engineering and architecture practice which has a regional network of offices to service the property, construction and insurance sectors across the UK. In 2016, GSP became the first business within its industry peer group to achieve platinum IIP status and has maintained this level over the last seven years which is only achieved by 6% of organisations.

Based out of offices in Leicester and Nottingham, Gateley RJA provides specialist quantity surveying, project management and clerk of works services nationally across a variety of property and construction projects. In its latest IIP assessment, the consultancy was promoted from its previous silver level to gold status, performing within the top 23% of organisations.

Over the last three years, both Gateley Smithers Purslow and Gateley RJA have undergone significant growth and major organisational changes including increased headcount, new offices and a rapidly expanding client base, as well as being acquired by Gateley to become part of its Property Platform.

Stephen Fraser, managing director at Gateley Smithers Purslow, said: “We are so pleased to have retained platinum status of the Investors in People accreditation. IIP is important to us as inspiring our people is a key element of Gateley’s purpose. This approach enables us to attract and retain the best industry talent which is essential for delighting our clients. The outcome really is testament to the supportive and resilient nature of our brilliant team, and I can’t thank them enough for their continuous dedication.”

Richard Julian, founder and managing director at Gateley RJA, said: “We are delighted to have raised our previous silver Investors in People accreditation to gold status. Since our last assessment in 2020, the company has undergone major organisational changes, however, our team spirit and company values have remained at the core of everything we do. In addition to our culture, we are proud to actively endorse and support the development of junior talent within the industry through apprenticeship schemes to produce homegrown talent. So, this achievement really is down to the work of our senior management team and especially our employees who ensure Gateley RJA is such a great place to work.”

Both consultancies had the same IIP adviser throughout their assessments. On their accreditations, Estelle Warwick-Wilson, IIP Practitioner with IIPCIC, said: “I first started working with GSP and Gateley RJA before they joined Gateley, and even back then it struck me how the two organisations demonstrated the same commitment to their employees and drive for success. They have had remarkable journeys since our first meetings, with GSP experiencing threefold growth and Gateley RJA doubling in size. Growth of this magnitude presents challenges for organisations, but they have both continuously faced up to this and implemented practices that are making a real tangible difference to their people. They should be really proud of their achievements, and I look forward to seeing their progression now they are part of Gateley.”

In 2015, Gateley was the first commercial UK law firm to list on the London Stock Exchange’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM). As a result, Gateley is able to deliver its services through four legal and advisory Platforms: Business Services, Corporate, People and Property. Gateley’s Property Platform combines the expertise of legal professionals with the technical skills of its consultancy businesses to bring together a team of 650 specialists to service the property, development and construction sectors.