A company supplying hair and beauty products to salons has been awarded the Investors in People standard.

Brighton-based Capital Hair and Beauty received the recognition after working hard to improve standards in customer care, staff training and an appraisal system.

It is believed to be the first hair and beauty wholesaler to be given the award.

Managing director Peter Vans Agnew said: "We have always prided ourselves on providing a professional service to our customers but some time ago we recognised the vital importance of providing professional training opportunities for our employees.

"Investors in People has given our people assurance of our commitment to developing their professional capabilities.

"It has helped us to adopt new ways of working to achieve the very best practice.

"By doing this it has given staff a much clearer understanding of our objectives and the strategies we plan to use to bring them into being."

Investors in People UK was formed in 1993 to take national ownership of the standard.

Initially it was administered by the Department for Education and Employment but, as demand and interest increased, the section quickly became Investors in People UK.

Mr Vans Agnew said it had provided a framework to improve standards at the company.

He added: "All this means we are now better positioned to cultivate talent and, more importantly, retain it."

Wednesday April 23 2003