Our Director of Human Resources, Dr Jill Hatcher, has become the first in the country to have overseen the successful attainment of a top business accreditation for two separate organisations.

Dr Hatcher played a key role in helping DE&S, which employs 11,500 people across the UK, to gain People Development Partner accreditation from the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development.

In her previous role as HR Director for the Home Office, Jill also oversaw the organisation’s PDP accreditation.

The CIPD status recognises organisations for the support and development opportunities it offers to its people.

Dr Hatcher said: “After a huge amount of hard work from everyone in our Human Resources Team, we are delighted to achieve this accreditation. Not only does it recognise the commitment of our team, but also means those working within the organisation have access to quality training and development opportunities to enhance their careers and to be the best they can be.”

Over the last 18 months the Human Resources Team at DE&S has been working closely with the CIPD to demonstrate the exceptional commitment it has to developing people professionals. DE&S has invested in training, experience assessments, apprenticeships, CIPD membership and qualifications to ensure its people are well supported and encouraged to learn and develop.

Mavis Darkwah, a Talent Acquisition Manager, is currently completing a CIPD Level 7 course, which has been fully funded by DE&S.

She said: “DE&S provides really good opportunities for its people to learn and develop. I get a day a week to study, I have peers doing the same course, so we lean on each other for support, and I am putting the skills and techniques I am learning into practice so that I can continue to develop and grow in my role.”

To achieve PDP accreditation, organisations must demonstrate a commitment to continuously invest and build the capability and credibility of its people function. They need to provide evidence against five criteria:

• Recognising the CIPD Profession Map as the international standard in the people profession
• Promoting and investing in professionalism for people professionals with CIPD
• Providing entry points to the people profession
• Promoting and investing in CPD for people professionals
• Collaborating with CIPD to promote and support the people profession

Ray Worrell, Senior Employer Solutions Manager, at the CIPD, said: “We are so proud to be able to award DE&S with People Development Partner Status. It shows that your people function is central to the aims of the organisation and that their professional development is a priority. The CIPD really values People Development Partner status. Not only is it about recognising organisations for aligning with our professional values, but it shows an exceptional degree of commitment to professional development.”