QUALITY assurance specialist ISO Quality Services Ltd is proving a top quality business.

Following its success in the regional final of the National Apprenticeship Awards, the company in Bromyard Road, Worcester, has won the employer of the year category at the Midlands Family Business Awards held at the Athena in Leicester. Now in their sixth year, the awards recognise the efforts of family-run businesses in the Midlands and ISO was competing in a shortlist of six.

Jennifer Appleton, the firm's operations director, said: “We are extremely honoured to have been chosen for this award. Being a family-run business is very important to how our whole company operates, and we hope it is something that is felt in all our relationships from our staff, to our partners and our clients.

"As a growing company, our recruitment efforts are an essential activity and we have taken on four new employees this year; two apprentices and a graduate. We also take our responsibilities as an employer very seriously, looking after our existing staff both within their professional development but also their general well-being”.

Managing director, Peter Appleton said the award was “very special for the whole company”. He added: "As we have grown, the ethos of family is still very central to our business; it is at the heart of our values and extended to all of our employees.”

ISO Quality Services Ltd was founded in 2000 by Peter Appleton, with his wife Sue and daughter Jennifer completing the board of directors. The company has a "keep it simple approach" to implementation, certification and training for the ISO management standards including quality and health and safety management.