get a new revised Investors In People award, it was revealed yesterday.

Astwood Dickinson Jewellers and Watchmakers were given the prize for their excellent staff training and care in their Front Street shop.

Terry Bond, the executive director of Investors in People Bermuda, said: "It is an important award. Staff feel more valued and it opens up important communications routes between staff and management.'' Investors in People started in 1990 in Britain as a way of encouraging training and development of staff.

Now the standard has been taken up by 30,000 companies in the UK and has spread across the world to 28 countries from New Zealand to France.

At Christmas the pilot phase for a Bermuda section was finalised and Astwood Dickinson is the first company to meet the stringent guidelines to get the award.

In fact the jewellers has done so well it does not have to have the customary annual review for the next three years, bar management changes. The new revised Investors in People only became effective in April, and only five have been given out so far. The revised award focuses more on staff and how they believe the company is doing.

In one of the assessing documents quotes from staff include: "People work here because of the atmosphere,'' and "The boss listens to us''.

Bermuda jeweller earns recognition Among other quotes are "We are encouraged to look at our stores and run them as our own'', and "My confidence has been lifted significantly''.

Ian Smith, general manger of Astwood Dickinson, said: "We are delighted at the award. It reflects the hard work and commitment of all our staff and shows that we deliver world class service in Bermuda.'' The report singled out Thomas Dickinson, president and managing director and Mr. Smith as being behind the training success of the company.

Mr. Smith was congratulated for his leadership skills by Eric Jenkinson, one of the assessors of the Investors in People award yesterday at the shop.

"What it means is that this company has very high standards of training and investment in its staff. It is very, very significant and is a reward for the staff and management for a job well done.'' Thomas Gallagher, a Bermuda partner in Investors in People, said: "It indicates the quality and impact of training of Bermudians in the workplace.

It shows that Bermudians can meet world standards in service and offer world class service.'' Astwood and Dickinson was established in 1932, and formed a joint venture with Columbian Emeralds Intentional in 1997, a well known duty free jewellers with operations throughout the Caribbean, as well as Key West and Alaska.

Since the new alliance, the company has been keen to emphasise training further and a long-term plan is in place for staff training. Companies that would like to be considered for Investors in People Bermuda, should contact the non-profit making organisation at iip.bermuda Y ibl.bm or call Mr. Bond on 2348507.