PurposeDescribes the human‐resource management policies that helped UK pest‐control company Cleankill to win an Investors in People bronze award.Design/methodology/approachExplains the importance of knowledge sharing, training, empowerment and good internal communications at Cleankill.FindingsReveals that staff benefit from directors being able to continually see any problems that they may be having with certain customers, and always having an understanding of their jobs. Staff appreciate the flexibility they have in their work and know that if they are falling behind their contract schedule the management team will help.Practical implicationsHighlights how the company benefits from the training it provides for its employees.Social implicationsShows how enlightened human‐resource management practices can contribute to organizational success, which can benefit society as a whole.Originality/valueGives the inside story of how a company won an Investors in People award.