PANTON Sargent has become the first firm of architects to win the Investors in People Award.

The 42-employee firm prides itself on its "mutually supportive" working environment and training programmes.

"The open plan office stimulates conversation and ideas," said Olivia Kirk, marketing and PR manager.

"It's best not to do the design process in isolation - people can bounce ideas off each other when they're sitting together.

"And everybody looks after their own training schemes, with each person responsible for a different field of expertise, in addition to their core training. Everyone knows what everyone else's area of specialism is.

"We also have a great social life - we often go the pub on a Friday and we have two football teams!"

The company was established in 1973 by Barry Panton and Peter Sargent, who were joined by directors Vincent Kirk and Robert Moore about 15 years ago.

The firm outgrew its inner-city premises, in Bank Street, Worcester, and moved to Perrywood Walk, off Wyld's Lane, Worcester, in March last year.

"A lot of people have been here a long time, so it's a good solid business on which to expand," added Mrs Kirk. "Eighty per cent of our business is repeat business so our clients keep coming back."

The firm, which is a finalist for the 2004 Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Award, designed the Learning and Skills Council building, in Midland Road, Worcester, and the new St Richard's hospice being built in Worcester.