Calico UK directors Kirsty Pryer (left) and Karen MacKay pictured at work holding the IIP Award.

Calico UK, the Highlands Internet Service Provider (ISP), has been awarded the Investors In People (IIP) award following the staff buy-out on 1st January 2005. The award is based on an independent assessment of management and staff development practices, and companies holding the award have to be re-assessed every three years if they want to retain the IIP status.

“We are very pleased with this news,” says Calico’s MD Kirsty Pryer. “This is the first time we’ve been assessed since the staff buy-out. The management structure is completely different now, compared to when we were last assessed. Each of us now has a role at every level in the organisation from the top down, so it’s not a normal staff hierarchy.”

Calico UK is renowned for the high level of service it offers. “Our customers come to us because they like the personal touch,” reveals Kirsty. “They know that if they have a problem with their website or email they can simply phone us, and talk to a helpful human being. With most other ISPs you either can’t talk to anyone, or have to wait in a queue before getting someone who sounds as if they are reading from a script. That’s not the Calico way.”

The IIP report bears this out: “The organisation structure that has been put in place since the change of ownership gives an inherent set of development strengths to the business.” It continues, “The close working relationships of the four directors is a key strength. Team working is a very strong part of the success of this business.”

Kirsty agrees. “The only way we can provide this level of service is by having the right management processes in place, and by investing in our staff, which is what IIP is all about.”

Calico UK, based in Cromarty, offers web and mail hosting, broadband connectivity, online backup and other Internet services. They can be contacted on 01381 600580, or http://www.cali.co.uk.