GLL, which runs leisure centres and libraries across the UK, is a charitable leisure and cultural social enterprise and has been running The Hive at Ely’s Leisure Village on behalf of East Cambridgeshire District Council since it opened in 2018.
It was awarded the IiP Gold Standard in January 2024.
IiP is an international, best-practice standard that recognises companies that commit to good people management and development of their people.
It is used in 70 countries across the world and achieving the Gold Standard puts GLL in the top 15% of IiP accredited organisations.
The Hive’s facilities include an eight-lane 25m swimming pool, a learner pool with moveable floor, a 120-station Technogym, two activity studios and a four-court sports hall. There is also a 3G artificial grass pitch outside.
On average, residents visit The Hive 30,000 a month, and it employs over 50 people.
Lorraine Patrinos, GLL’s People director, said: “We are a friendly organisation that cares about its people.
“Gold standard means we are independently acknowledged as a good employer – one that excels in creating an organisational culture that provides a clear vision for the future, values and develops its people and creates high degrees of trust.”
Councillor Alan Sharp, chair of the council’s finance and assets committee, said: “We are truly delighted GLL, which runs The Hive on behalf of the council, has been awarded the Investors in People Gold Standard award.
“The Hive is an integral part of our local community. I want to pay tribute to all the staff that work there for the great work they do, day in and day out to deliver the great public services our residents rely on.”
As part of the assessment for Gold standard, all GLL staff were surveyed and 200 staff completed face to face interviews.