AES Solar recognised among the UK’s leading employers in the Investors in People Awards 2025

AES Celebrates IIP Awards after being named a finalist in the UK Employer of the Year: 50–249 Employees (Silver) category.

The national awards celebrate organisations that demonstrate excellence in leadership, engagement and people development. AES joins a shortlist that includes some of the UK’s most recognised organisations, such as YMCA and Salvation Army Homes, reflecting the company’s growing reputation as a people focused employer in the North of Scotland.

AES first engaged with Investors in People in 2011 and continued to work with the standard as the business grew. In 2019, AES Solar achieved IIP Silver Accreditation, reflecting our strong human resource management and organisational development practices. But it is during our recent period of accelerated transformation that embedding the IIP framework has really paid off, a commitment reflected in this award nomination.

A Journey of Transformation

At AES, our people have always been our greatest asset and the IIPA framework has transformed how we invest in them. In late 2023, a management buyout marked the start of a new era, as our Founder George Goudsmit stepped back from the day-to-day operations of the business. This was followed by the integration of Black Isle Renewables into the AES group in 2024, accompanied by a renewed focus on growth, integration, and innovation.

Guided by the Investors in People framework, we redefined how we lead, communicate, and collaborate across every level of the business. It has helped us create a culture built on trust, inclusion, and shared success. As a result, we have transformed from a traditional hierarchical structure into an inclusive organisation where leadership is shared, wellbeing is prioritised, and every colleague understands the impact of their work.

Pride Across Our Teams

Being shortlisted for the IIP 2025 Awards is a huge source of pride for our teams across Forres and Dingwall. It reflects the collaboration and adaptability that have defined our integration over the past two years. It also strengthens our shared identity and sense of purpose. And for our leadership team, the recognition confirms that the changes made like shared leadership and giving people more voice and ownership are working.

Winning an IIP Award would be a powerful endorsement of our people-first philosophy. It would celebrate the dedication, hard work, and adaptability of our teams while demonstrating that a North Scotland-based renewables company can lead the way in supporting and developing its people on a national stage.

A People-First Approach

Our Silver IIP accreditation reflects consistently high levels of employee engagement, wellbeing, and satisfaction across the business. This proves that investing in people is not just the right thing to do; it’s also the most sustainable strategy for long-term success. By putting our teams at the heart of everything we do, AES has built a thriving business for its people, its customers, and the planet.

Jamie Di Sotto, Commercial Director at AES, said:

“To be recognised at this level is a real honour for AES Solar. Our people are what make our business exceptional, and this nomination celebrates the shared effort behind our success. We’re proud to be representing the north of Scotland and to be part of a community of employers who are raising the standard for how people are supported at work.”

Our story proves that even in times of change, investing in people builds trust, resilience, and lasting success. For AES Solar, recognition at the IIP Awards is not just an achievement, it’s a celebration of the people who make it possible and a reaffirmation that people are at the heart of everything we do.

AES Celebrates IIP Awards 2025 Nomination

AES will be represented at the IIP Awards ceremony in London on 12 November by Technical Director Campbell MacLennan and HR Manager Marlize McCulloch.