Websters wins gold for its people practices : Openness, mutual respect and shared values impress the assessor

Purpose – This paper aims to chart the journey to Investors in People gold of Cambridge-based tax, legal and accountancy company, Websters. Design/methodology/approach – It examines the firm’s policies and approaches, in particular, in the areas of training, teamwork, empowerment and flexible working. Findings – It emphasizes the importance of openness, mutual respect and shared values at the company. Practical implications – It reveals that employees set their own development programs, which need not be directly related to their role in the company, although they must benefit the business. Social implications – It explains how flexible working has been built into the structure of the company from the start. Originality/value – It describes how a successful business develops, supports and motivates its team.