Essex's Students’ Union has been awarded the prestigious Investors in People Gold Award, in recognition of its first class people management.

The Gold award represents the achievement of world class best practice and shows the organisation is operating at the very highest levels of people management.

Less than one in 1,000 organisations recognised by Investors in People have achieved the Gold standard and Essex is believed to be the first Students’ Union in the country to do so.

‘This award is a fantastic achievement for the Students’ Union and is as a direct result of the energy and effort shown every day by our permanent and student staff’, said SU President Ibby Mehmet. ‘Essex is widely recognised as having one of the best Students’ Unions in the UK and this is because we have first class staff that are always prepared to go the extra mile when it comes to looking out for the needs of our students’.

The Students’ Union employs more than 400 staff, including over 350 student staff, to deliver services and activities designed to provide the best possible student life at Essex. Services include a dedicated student Advice Centre, more than 150 sports clubs and societies, plus shops, bars and venues.

Elaine Johnson, Managing Director of Investors in People, presented the Students’ Union with the award at a celebration event at the Colchester Campus.