As a firm which has a long track record of supporting members of staff in the development of their careers, and which works hard to make sure every member of their team feels valued in their role, we are very proud to announce that we recently achieved the prestigious Investors in People (IIP) Standard Accreditation.
This is the first year that we have applied for the accreditation and we received some wonderful feedback in our assessor’s report as well as some constructive ideas for improvement as we set out on our IIP journey.
The timing of the report couldn’t be better for us. We are already well underway with a major review of our values and this work goes hand in hand with the feedback we have received from our IIP assessment.
Our overall score was above the average benchmark for IIP assessments and legal services assessments, and a score that we are incredibly proud of for our very first assessment. It provides a strong platform on which to build.
The values programme will determine our core values which will guide the firm through an exciting period in its ongoing development. These values will be central to everything we do, whether it be formulating strategy, decision making, recruitment, staff appraisals or client relations. Our values will be our reference point.
Our staff have been fully engaged in our IIP accreditation and will play a leading part in rolling out our action plans.
Our core values will be derived from the feedback we receive from our people and in particular what it means to work at Swinburne Maddison. We have undertaken considerable external research from our friends in business and received some valuable insights into how to go about this hugely significant piece of work.
Swinburne Maddison began life as a 4-partner firm and now, as it approaches is 25th birthday, boasts 11 partners (7 of whom began their careers at the firm as articled clerks or trainee solicitors) and a further 60 team members. As we continue to grow at pace, it is more important than ever that we don’t lose sight of the fact that our people are instrumental to our success. Through the IIP and values programmes, we are committed to embracing change to cement Swinburne Maddison’s position as a great place to work.
In the report itself, our assessor made the following comment:
“This is Swinburne Maddison LLP’s first IiP assessment, [with] commitment from senior leaders being made to recognise the strengths within the firm but importantly, where further improvements can be made. The assessment recognises that the Standard award has been achieved, which is a great achievement for a first assessment and should be commended!”
