21 Nov 2005

Bakers makes a sound investment in people

Biddulph-based Bakers Coaches has retained its coveted Investor In People (IIP) status – and remains one of the few British coach and bus operators to hold the prestigious award.

The leading luxury coach and local bus operator in North Staffordshire and South Cheshire has had its IIP Standard re-accredited after an exhaustive independent assessment of every department of the company.

IIP sets a demanding benchmark for the way in which companies, organisations and other employers train and motivate their workforce, which in turn has an impact on the quality of service provided for customers or users.

Bakers Coaches, which also runs bakerbus local and contract services, has held IIP status since 1998 when they were only the third coach and bus operator in the UK - and the first in England outside London - to reach the standard.

Today, as few as approximately 30 of the country’s 6,000 coach and bus companies have the right to display the IIP logo.

IPP assessor Terry Jones who reviewed Bakers’ suitability to be granted IPP recognition for a further three years was particularly impressed by the appointment of an in-house Driver Trainer and Quality Controller whose duties include the training and induction of newly recruited drivers in everything from route learning, driving hours legislation and tachographs to hazard perception.

The assessment also praised the company’s management structure which encouraged the delegation of operational responsibilities, allowing the managing director to focus on more strategic matters.

In its summary, the assessor’s report states: “The company has progressed in its approach to business over the past three to four years.

“As a consequence it has increased the amount of training provided to its driving staff and further enhanced support through the appointment of an in-house driver trainer.

“This is having marked effects on the commercial viability of the company and is enhancing the opportunities to take on new business.”

The reports adds: “ The company has used the principles of the Standard to help it move forward and the managing director pursues a philosophy that these elements are embedded in the culture of the company rather than run as a separate initiative.”

Managing Director Phil Baker said: “We are extremely proud to be one of the very few coach and bus operators in this country to achieve IPP accreditation, and we are delighted that the way in which the business has been developed in recent years has been recognised by the fact that we have once again retained the IIP standard.

“Bakers Coaches are committed to making all our managers and employees fully involved in the running of the company. This motivation helps to develop a positive attitude which is appreciated by our customers and, in turn, makes them feel positive about travelling on our coaches and buses.”

Phil added: “I believe it is now more important than ever before for players in our industry to set the highest standards. The coach and bus business is extremely competitive and customers are far more discerning.”