Tamdown are committed to releasing the potential of their people and developing their knowledge and skills, providing them with a rewarding and satisfying career. Tamdown invests heavily in training and development and is proud to be investor in people accredited since 2002. Learning and development opportunities include the following: Degree courses, post graduate qualifications, Higher National Diplomas, Industry qualifications and memberships Ad hoc/one off training events, Apprenticeships Bespoke training and development courses – “the academy”. The Academy was a bespoke learning initiative delivered over 6 months in 2011, all employees took part in their departments and the sessions focused on developing participant's attitude and behaviour for increased performance both personally and professionally. Despite the current economic climate, the Chairman personally ensured that funds were made available and he worked together with an external training organisation and provided guidance about the main subject areas to be covered.

The leaders of Tamdown believe strongly in giving something back to their community and giving to charity. Tamdown set up the Tamdown Foundation with the aim is to raise £100,000 for charities in 2011. Five charities have been nominated by members of the Tamdown team; each charity has a very personal link with a member of staff. Tamdown committed 1% of its profits in 2011 to get the fund underway. Fundraising events taken place throughout the year include: Tamdown Annual Triathlon, Summer Charity Ball, London to Paris Bike Ride, 24 Hour Swim, Tamdown Quiz Night. So far the Tamdown Group has raised in excess of £75,000 through fundraising events. This figure does not include 1% of the business's profits so the company are on track to reach their £100,000 target.

Each new member of staff at Summit Media, both at the Wolds and at the Farm, undergoes an initial four week intensive training period provided by their line manager and colleagues. A tailored personal development plan is put together which is then reviewed at weekly one to one sessions with their individual line managers. These sessions are designed to monitor progress and to provide guidance. They also have regular coaching sessions covering topics and disciplines specific to the industry. There are bi-weekly training sessions at group level specifically aimed at improving industry knowledge. External training is carried out by Google and MSN and the company's tracking and analytics provider. New staff are also encouraged to participate in online webinars and to undertake personal training in their own time to gain the Google GAP and Microsoft qualifications.

Each new member of staff at Summit Media, both at the Wolds and at the Farm, undergoes an initial four week intensive training period provided by their line manager and colleagues. A tailored personal development plan is put together which is then reviewed at weekly one to one sessions with their individual line managers. These sessions are designed to monitor progress and to provide guidance. They also have regular coaching sessions covering topics and disciplines specific to the industry. There are bi-weekly training sessions at group level specifically aimed at improving industry knowledge. External training is carried out by Google and MSN and the company's tracking and analytics provider. New staff are also encouraged to participate in online webinars and to undertake personal training in their own time to gain the Google GAP and Microsoft qualifications.

Sterling Insurance Group operates a bonus plan for all of its employees. The bonus plan is based on two factors, company profitability and an employee's individual performance.

Sterling Insurance Group operates a bonus plan for all of its employees. The bonus plan is based on two factors, company profitability and an employee's individual performance.

They support local charities in their area. One example is that Springfield has, over the last two years, been working on constructing a £200k Moray Hydrotherapy Pool building in Forres. This has been a huge challenge, but extremely rewarding to now see the pool utilised and benefiting so many local people.

They support local charities in their area. One example is that Springfield has, over the last two years, been working on constructing a £200k Moray Hydrotherapy Pool building in Forres. This has been a huge challenge, but extremely rewarding to now see the pool utilised and benefiting so many local people.

Specific Media's new office has created an onsite gym for all staff to use, complete with full changing room and shower facilities. These facilities are open to staff all day from 6.00am until 9.00pm and at weekends. Each employee received a health check and gym induction prior to using the gym. Personal training sessions are also available upon request. Specific Media also provides complimentary massages for all employees. On a monthly basis, employees can book a number of treatments including back, shoulder, hand or facial massages, which are carried out during work hours at no cost to the employee.

Specific Media's new office has created an onsite gym for all staff to use, complete with full changing room and shower facilities. These facilities are open to staff all day from 6.00am until 9.00pm and at weekends. Each employee received a health check and gym induction prior to using the gym. Personal training sessions are also available upon request. Specific Media also provides complimentary massages for all employees. On a monthly basis, employees can book a number of treatments including back, shoulder, hand or facial massages, which are carried out during work hours at no cost to the employee.

Managers at Skrill hold bi-weekly performance reviews, personal introductions based on skills, regular team lunches, bi-weekly feedback sessions, weekly team meetings and weekly team reports in order to support, encourage and develop staff members.

Once a month Skrill has a "Beer & Chips" event in each office where new joiners and new departments are invited to take part in the "CEO Hot Chair", giving them opportunity to ask the company's leaders any kind of questions.

The Hotel is aware that rewards and recognition are vital as they help the teams feel a sense of personal accomplishment and with this comes confidence in their ability to perform successfully in their roles. Three times a year the company holds a communication meeting for all of staff in which they honour recipients of the MBE (Member of the Brand Experience) and OBE (Order of the Brand Experience). These are employees that really have stood out for going above and beyond the call of duty. However, to ensure that recognition is kept close to the surface, all employees are encouraged to give out “stars” to colleagues they think have done a great job. Stars can be traded in for a chocolate bar, or collected for a gift voucher. To ensure stars are given and to keep it high on the agenda, HR will raise this in the morning meeting every day, and then display on a recognition wall in the Heart of House areas along with an employee picture.

Learning and Development supports business performance improvement at Sheraton Park Tower, and the key strategic goals of the business, as well as contributing to the growth of individual associates and offering rewarding opportunities to learn and grow. Associates see a clear link between their own development and the goals of the business. The company focus on ensuring that associates experience a robust on-boarding process which prepares them thoroughly for their role within their teams. This includes an on-brand induction, service culture training, and personalised departmental induction plans, to ensure a consistent quality of training for the company's new starters.

SFP Group is absolutely committed to supporting employee development. At the start of every year, the company identify the training needs for every individual, and determine what courses are most appropriate and the associated costs so that budgets can be agreed. The best example in recent times is the support SFP Group gave to three of their team to take their respective JIE insolvency and accountancy examinations that required long periods (more than one month) of study leave. All three passed. Indeed it is important to stress that prior to joining the SFP Group, two of the three individuals had no experience or qualification in insolvency. Now they have gone from juniors from Managers who, in the next few years, will be office holders. There are other similar examples across the group and in different departments, from broking to marketing.

Managers conduct meetings and prepare the task list which is forwarded on to the relevant Partner/Director. All staff are aware of the management meetings and each Manager will discuss with their team prior to the meeting, any points/ideas/suggestions that they would like discussed on their behalf. Each Manager will then put forward any relevant points to all managers at the meeting.

Roke's "Next Generation" programme sets out to inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists through direct contact with experts developing exciting new technology. Part of this scheme involved a ‘teach the teachers' session where teachers from across Hampshire were invited to Roke to be trained in new engineering techniques so these could be passed onto students.

Roke has a Sports & Social club which offers access to wide variety of sporting activities. Onsite, Roke has a gym, tennis court and sports field. The Sports & Social club organises an annual rounders tournament, summer tennis league, yoga, Pilates and circuit exercise classes. Mountain bikes have also been purchased to allow employees to cycle at lunchtimes. Most recently, Roke has hired a personal trainer to help improve the fitness of their employees by having a weekly training sessions and offering advice on healthy eating. With regards to health, all employees can have access to the Company Counsellor/Occupational Health and the majority of employees are entitled to non-contributory BUPA (options of single, couple or family cover available). Health Assessments are available for Senior Management.

Roevin supports employee development is through their specific role based learning plan. For example, an inexperienced recruitment consultant joining the company will attend a residential 3-day Training Academy. Back in branch, they have a specific 6-month Post-Academy training programme that is delivered on the job by the Branch Manager. Going forward there are specific skills based courses that cover all levels in their career, up to and including Roevin's Management Development Portfolio. Additionally, Roevin have a year-long leadership development Programme for those aspiring to Operational Director roles, as well as Executive Education programmes for their senior staff in conjunction with both IMD in Lausanne and INSEAD in Paris. In addition to Roevin's Instructor Led Training courses, through their Learning Portal, all employees have access to a range of internally-designed e-learning modules, as well as 13,000 externally-designed courses, including material on PRINCE-2, Lean Six Sigma and multiple versions of the Microsoft Office package.

Roevin supports employee development is through their specific role based learning plan. For example, an inexperienced recruitment consultant joining the company will attend a residential 3-day Training Academy. Back in branch, they have a specific 6-month Post-Academy training programme that is delivered on the job by the Branch Manager. Going forward there are specific skills based courses that cover all levels in their career, up to and including Roevin's Management Development Portfolio. Additionally, Roevin have a year-long leadership development Programme for those aspiring to Operational Director roles, as well as Executive Education programmes for their senior staff in conjunction with both IMD in Lausanne and INSEAD in Paris. In addition to Roevin's Instructor Led Training courses, through their Learning Portal, all employees have access to a range of internally-designed e-learning modules, as well as 13,000 externally-designed courses, including material on PRINCE-2, Lean Six Sigma and multiple versions of the Microsoft Office package.