Mid Ocean Club in Bermuda has become the first private golf club in the world to achieve the prestigious Investors in People Platinum Standard, recognising its excellence in people management.
The internationally acclaimed club, featuring an historic Charles Blair Macdonald designed golf course which ranks among Golf Digest magazine’s World’s 100 Greatest Courses, joins an elite group of companies and organisations to meet the globally sought after standard.
The club has invested significantly in training and learning for its near 100-strong team, including developing and promoting local talent alongside staff from 15 countries.
It’s the latest accolade for Mid Ocean Club, which was named IIP Overseas Employer of the Year in 2022.
Mid Ocean Club General Manager and Chief Executive Austen Gravestock said: “We believe our greatest investment is in our people – and that includes a strong commitment to the long-term development of local talent here in Bermuda.
“Our objective is to provide opportunities for everyone to grow, thrive and lead – and I’m super-proud of each and every one of our team here for everything we achieve together. To benchmark what we do as an organization against some of the leading companies in the world is a great tool – and to be awarded Platinum Standard affirms that Mid Ocean Club is truly world-class.”
Within the Investors in People framework, Platinum Standard is the highest level, indicating a ‘high-performing’ organisation. As part of the assessment process, the club produced a 542-page submission report and surveys demonstrating how it had met a series of key indicators. An assessor then visited the club and spoke with employees, selected at random.
The IIP assessor concluded Mid Ocean Club had demonstrated:
· Maturity and evolution of the organisation over the past three years.
· Recent leadership changes had brought innovation and cohesion across departments.
· The diverse workforce, including 15 nationalities, fosters global perspectives and collaboration.
· A strong sense of trust and confidence in the leadership has created a stable and progressive environment.
The assessment also recognised that sustainability is an important focus, as the business embarks on a major clubhouse refurbishment as part of a long-term master plan to make club amenities ‘future-fit’.
Assistant General Manager In-Training Dimitri Frias is one of the many staff who are benefiting from the club’s commitment to empowering people and investing in learning and leadership. He said: “Our success comes from our people – recruiting, developing, and supporting platinum people who make up our Mid Ocean family. This is more than a golf club — it’s a community, a culture, and a catalyst for excellence.”
Another to have benefitted from career investment is greenkeeper Kaleyo James, who initially worked in the Golf Department at Mid Ocean Club, but soon showed an interest and aptitude for agronomy. The club supported him through a role change and education at the prestigious Rutgers Professional Golf Turf Management School in the United States.
“My first term on the Professional Golf Turf Management Program was both a rewarding and eye-opening experience – and one that I am deeply grateful for,” said Kaleyo. “I embraced the opportunity wholeheartedly, and I can confidently say I was one of the best decisions I’ve made for my personal and professional development. I reflect on how fortunate I am to have been given this opportunity. I’m truly honored by the trust my club has placed in me by supporting my attendance at Rutgers. The club’s belief in my potential is something I do not take lightly, and I am committed to repaying that trust through dedication, hard work, and continued growth in this field.”