Sixteen UK companies are to become role models showing organisations how to get business benefits through training and development.

The 16 are the first IIP Champions, selected for the way they have boosted the performance of their companies through the way they manage and develop their employees.

The Champions will now work with IIP to demonstrate how to align people development with business goals to other employers through presentations, mentoring and site visits to the champion organisation.

The successful 16 range from large businesses (such as Nationwide Building Society and TNT UK Ltd) to smaller employers (such as Swiss Cottage School, London and Bodelwyddan Castle Hotel, Clwyd).

One of the select 16, Liz Jackson from Oakwood Eyecare Centre explained how people development had boosted business.

"Oakwood Eyecare Centre achieved the Investors in People Standard in 1996.

"Since this time, we have enjoyed low employee turnover, higher productivity and improved staff morale and ownership.

"Our ethos is very much that employees are central to the success of our organisation and it is vital that they are skilled and motivated to achieve their maximum potential."

Announcing the successful organisations in his speech at the Skills Strategy-One Year On event, Secretary of State for Education and Skills Charles Clarke, reinforced the importance of staff development.

"Placing people at the heart of business strategy increases staff enthusiasm, motivation and productivity, driving progress towards organisational goals," he said.

"The Champions, announced today, have clearly recognised this need and reaped the benefits of equipping their people with the skills they need to succeed. I congratulate them on their achievements."

Ruth Spellman, Chief Executive of Investors in People, said that the champions would form a central part of the IIP's best practice programme.

Businesses wishing to contact any of the Champions or for further information can visit www.investorsinpeople.co.uk or email champions@iipuk.co.uk.