09/09/2005

South West Trains, operator of the UK’s biggest commuter rail franchise, has been accredited with Investors in People status.

The recognition comes only days after South West Trains was named passenger Operator of the Year at the National Rail Awards 2005.

South West Trains, part of Stagecoach Group, has made a huge investment in its employees to ensure they have the right skills, knowledge, experience and behaviour to provide a first-class service to passengers.

The company’s highly-respected Centre Stage campaign, which has involved all customer service employees, encourages staff to better understand and meet passengers’ needs.

Graham Eccles, South West Trains’ Chairman and Managing Director, said: “To be successful in the rail industry requires the right people with the right training and the right motivation.

“Through our employees we have now achieved Investors in People and recently scooped the much esteemed Passenger Operator of the Year award. I truly feel that with all our employees we recruit for attitude, train them to the highest standards and develop them for life.”

Companies with Investor in People status have a culture of developing their employees and constantly ensuring they have opportunities to grow and progress within the company.

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For further information, please contact South West Trains’ Press Office on 020 7620 5229 or visit the website at www.southwesttrains.co.uk