Roadchef, one of the UK’s leading motorway service area operators, has secured Platinum accreditation under both the We Invest in People and We Invest in Wellbeing frameworks from Investors in People (IIP). This double Platinum recognition reflects the business’s exceptional and ongoing commitment to its people, with scores exceeding industry benchmarks across every single indicator.
Roadchef has achieved IIP Platinum Wellbeing accreditation, a status held by less than 100 organisations globally. The business’s wellbeing benchmark stands at 760, exceeding the IIP wellbeing average by 55 points, with all three indicators above the IIP average. Colleagues cited Roadchef’s flexible and caring culture as a key reason for both joining and staying, while assessors noted the breadth of support available across emotional, physical, social and financial wellbeing. This includes earned wage access and interest-free hardship loans to community pantries and breakfast clubs.
Roadchef’s overall people benchmark also stands at 769 out of 900, ahead of the We Invest in People national average of 729 and the food and beverage service sector average of 720. The result also surpasses Roadchef’s own 2022 score of 732, demonstrating that the business continues to raise its standards cycle on cycle.
Average scores improved across all nine IIP indicators, covering Leading, Supporting and Improving, with every single ranking above the IIP national average. This is the second time Roadchef has achieved IIP Platinum status, underlining its commitment to its people.
Assessors highlighted the strength of trust across the organisation, the positive reception of leadership changes, and the way Roadchef has empowered colleagues at every level, giving them the learning opportunities and encouragement to grow. Its commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion has evolved into a genuine focus on belonging, underpinned by a clear and coherent ESG strategy. The results reflect a clear strategic conviction: that in an era of rapid technological change, it is the quality of a business’s people, culture and leadership that sets it apart.
These efforts have yielded tangible results: 87% of Roadchef colleagues completing the survey now describe the business as a great place to work. The business has continued to build genuine pathways for progression, with 65% of first-line manager vacancies filled by internal applicants and growing numbers of younger workers choosing Roadchef as a place to build a career.
Laura Bunn, HR director at Roadchef, said: “Achieving IIP Platinum Wellbeing and IIP Platinum for the second time, is something we’re enormously proud of. But what matters most to us is what sits behind the numbers, the thousands of colleagues who come to work every day and feel trusted, supported and able to grow. From someone joining us straight from college to someone who has been with us for 25 years, we want Roadchef to be a place where every person can build a career they’re proud of. At Roadchef we’re building a culture where people feel cared for as individuals, providing practical support, and creating an environment where everyone is valued and can thrive both inside and outside work.”
Tim Gittins, CEO at Roadchef, added: “These are tremendous results that represent a significant milestone for Roadchef. It reflects our commitment to excellence across every facet of our business. People are at the heart of our business, and creating an exceptional work environment is fundamental to our success, enabling our team members to deliver welcoming and high-quality experiences to our millions of customers across the motorway service network.”
Roadchef first achieved IIP Platinum status in 2023, the highest level of the Investors in People Standard, held by just 6% of 50,000 IIP-accredited organisations globally, and has now retained it for a second consecutive cycle. The business also holds 3-star Best Companies to Work For accreditation, having achieved elite status in 2025, alongside a Best Companies Special Award for Wellbeing. End-of-year employee turnover stands at less than 40%, exceptional for a sector traditionally characterised by high turnover.
The Investors in People framework assesses organisations against best practice in people management and development, covering how businesses lead, support and develop their people. Platinum accreditation is awarded to organisations that demonstrate not just commitment, but genuine excellence and continuous improvement in these areas.
