A DARTMOOR farm that has diversified to develop a thriving tourism destination and fully equipped conference centre is celebrating after being recognised as an Investor in People.

Brimpts Farm at Dartmeet has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to training and development, providing its staff with the skills and confidence needed to enhance its growing reputation as one of the South West?s best kept secrets.

This reputation has been reinforced by the glowing comments of its guests and business clients, who have nothing but praise for staff at the spacious retreat. Some of its customers to date include Marks and Spencer, British Telecom and Hewlett Packard.

Brimpts Farm was supported through the Investors in People process by Business Link for Devon and Cornwall.

General manager Gabrielle Cross said: ?We are delighted to be recognised as an Investor in People.

?Our entire ethos is based on team-building and teaching individuals to recognise the important role they play in the overall success of the business.

?Staff training and development plays a vital role within Brimpts Farm itself. Our guests and visitors deserve nothing less.?

Investors in People recognition is just the latest in a long association Brimpts Farm has had with Business Link since 1996.

Recent Business Link support enabled Brimpts to focus on and plan future projects and developments, including the ?Beef Box? initiative. This involved the promotion and sale of Brimpts? top quality beef.

Brimpts is a 700-acre upland beef farm, which also caters to the tourism, training and conference industries through its traditional tea room, bed and breakfast, self-catering accommodation, conference facilities and function suite. Also available are several popular farm trails and walks.

Brimpts Farm is co-managed by Gabrielle Cross and Andy Bradford, a tenant farmer. It is located on Duchy of Cornwall land in the heart of Dartmoor Park and very much embodies the principles Prince Charles advocates.

In 2002 Brimpts won the John Neason Memorial Award for Farm Diversification and the Duke of Cornwall Habitat award.

Providing locally grown and sourced foods and products is seen as an integral part of the farm?s continuing success. These core values, as well as a commitment to providing the highest standard of service, have enabled the farm to thrive in the post-foot and mouth era.

The business has nine members of staff. They have taken part in numerous in-house and external training opportunities, including coaching and job shadowing, NVQs, Welcome Host courses, marketing training, food hygiene, first aid and health and safety training

The benefits have created a multi-skilled, well-motivated workforce. At the same time, Brimpts has recorded an 18% year-on-year increase in overall business, a 300% increase in residential delegate bookings and a dramatic increase in sales through both the tea rooms and the Beef Box scheme.

As one member of staff remarked during the assessment process: ?I can?t wait to get to work each morning. Each day is different and I like that.?

Investor in People assessor Clare McNamara said: ?The proprietors? commitment to staff development is unequivocal.

?Despite some very difficult times with, for example, the foot and mouth crisis, the well-being and skills of their staff have been seen as integral to the long-term success of the business.?