Kelly Johnstone promoted to COO among a number of changes at Springboard
Kelly Johnstone has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer among of number of staffing changes at Springboard.
Johnstone joined the hospitality charity in August 2014 and has held a number of senior roles, most recently as Lead Operations for Scotland, Midlands, North England and Ireland.
She will be responsible for overseeing operational delivery across the UK and Ireland of the organisation’s Springboard to 2022 project, training and supporting 10,000 young people into work in hospitality in line with the industry’s recovery by 2022.
“I am over the moon to take up this new role at Springboard,” she said. “There has never been a better time to support hospitality, leisure and tourism businesses to get back on their feet. Over the last seven years, I have seen the important work my team do and having a national role will allow me to drive consistency and a ‘one team’ approach across our key strategic priorities.
This past year, combined with Brexit, presents a labour challenge for the industry and we have ambitious plans to support this by showcasing the diverse roles across all areas of the sectors to young people in education, while also supporting unemployed people of all ages into sustained employment. We have an amazing team, really supportive board of trustees, wonderful partners and inspirational trainees ready to Springboard into 2022.”
This is one of a number of changes linked to the delivery of Springboard to 2022, which is the charity’s most ambitious ever project and will see a significant increase in its training delivery. Other new roles include:
- Inga McVicar to Operations Director
- Sharon Sheratt-Gempton to Head of North England and Midlands
- Supriya Goyal to Senior Careers, Education & Employability Programme Delivery Manager, Midlands
- Tony Mullen to Senior Careers, Education & Employability Programme Delivery Manager, London
- Nic Darker to Senior Careers, Education & Employability Programme Delivery Manager, North West
- Paul Buchan to Senior Trainer
- Kerry Mabbley to Careers & Education Manager
- Bhavna Patel to Kickstart Project Lead
- Lucy Bradley to Ambassadors Project Lead
- Kate Farley to Fundraising Executive
Meanwhile, recruitment for a number of other roles has been ongoing throughout March, including seeing Springboard move into East Anglia, north east England and Yorkshire and expand in London, Northern Ireland, the midlands and north west England.
As part of this, Jamie Fenton recently joined as E-Learning Content Developer, while Caitriona Lennox joined as Northern Ireland manager.
Springboard Chief Executive Chris Gamm said: “I’m delighted for Kelly and all those taking on exciting new roles. We have some big plans for the year ahead; promoting hospitality to the next generation, attracting talent to it, giving them the skills for a successful career and helping 10,000 young people find work in the industry. We now have the team in place to deliver our mission to futureproof the talent pipeline for hospitality.”
Hospitality superstars of 2020 celebrated at the Springboard Virtual Awards for Excellence
Springboard UK has announced the winners of this year’s Awards for Excellence, following its much-anticipated virtual event. Celebrating the outstanding achievements in hospitality last year, the winners were selected across 17 categories.
The virtual awards included categories to showcase businesses and individuals who have gone above and beyond, demonstrating the ability to quickly adapt and implement new, successful initiatives to support their employees, communities, key workers and the NHS during the pandemic.
Hosted by British comedian and television presenter, Paul Sinha, the event featured appearances from some of the industry’s biggest names, including Paul Ainsworth, Andi Oliver, Michel Roux Jr and Clare Smyth and was watched by almost 450 industry professionals, media and supporters of Springboard.
With hundreds of entries, over 40 businesses made the shortlist, with the winners recognised for everything from employee health & wellbeing and staff communication, to the best dine at home experience and most innovative alcohol strategy.
Springboard CEO, Chris Gamm, says: “Despite being faced with such adversary in 2020, the hospitality industry went above and beyond and deserves to be celebrated. All the winners have undertaken amazing work, achieving incredible results, despite the circumstances the sector has been faced with. Springboard are thrilled to be recognising them”.
The event also saw the launch of Springboard’s new fundraising initiative – ‘Virtual Race to Nicaragua’. A trek to Nicaragua was set to take place in Central America itself in March 2020, to raise vital funds for Springboard, but the trip was postponed due to COVID-19.
Marketing and Event Partner, Amy-Jane Cahalane says: “The Virtual Race to Nicaragua will take place wherever you are in the UK and your miles will be tracked online, contributing to your team’s progress. We’re giving everybody the opportunity to get involved, get fit, have fun and raise money for Springboard!”
Teams of 30 people will be encouraged to cover a mere 5,300 miles throughout May 2021, the challenge is sure to excite walkers, runners and cyclists from the hospitality industry and beyond. Find out more about the virtual race to Nicaragua, here www.springboard.uk.net/virtual-race
The winners
Best Implementation of Virtual Training – Sponsored by HIT Training
Interstate Hotels and Resorts
Best Internal Covid-19 Training Programme
D&D London
Best Staff Communication – Sponsored by Caterer.com
The Dorchester Collection & 45 Park Lane
Best Management Preparation – Sponsored by CPL Learning
PPHE Hotel Group
Employee Health & Wellbeing – Sponsored by pladis
Dishoom
Best Employer – Sponsored by American Express
Royal Lancaster London
Best Use of Digital Marketing to Promote Sales or Service
Holiday Inn Barrow in Furness
Best Use of Technology to Improve Customer Experience
Delaware North
Best Delivered “Dine at Home” Experience
Made in Oldstead
Most Innovative Alcohol Strategy
Essex Spirits Company Ltd.
Business Innovation – Sponsored by Compass Group UK & Ireland
Harri
Best National Support for Key Workers – Sponsored by CH&Co
Medirest
Best National Support for Vulnerable People
Now Pause
Best Individual Community Engagement – Sponsored by BaxterStorey
Jeni Edwards (IJess Consulting)
Best Group Community Engagement – Sponsored by Hand Picked Hotels
The Dorchester
Best Corporate Social Responsibility – Sponsored by Diageo Learning for Life
Brakes
Chris Beaumont Award – Sponsored by Bidfood
Diego Masciaga
Our award sponsors
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Savoy Educational Trust helps futureproof hospitality workforce with £1m grant to Springboard
The Savoy Educational Trust has awarded a £1m grant to The Springboard Charity in support of the charity’s Springboard to 2022 – Futureproofing the Talent Pipeline for Hospitality project.
The £1m grant is the single largest award ever made by Trustees in its 60-year history and will directly help 1,000 young people into work across the hospitality industry over the next 18 months.
Springboard’s latest project – Springboard to 2022 – aims to train and support 10,000 young people into work in hospitality by December 2022, in line with the industry’s recovery post-COVID-19.
The forecasted cost to deliver the project is £5m with the Savoy Educational Trust coming on board as one of its biggest supporters.
The project will help turn around the ongoing skills shortage across the industry, which is expected to be impacted further by Brexit and the Coronavirus pandemic.
Although a significant grant, this is just one part of the ongoing commitment the Trust continues to make to the hospitality industry, with their current funding for education, associations, charities, training and recognising talent through industry competitions.
Julia Sibley, Chief Executive of The Savoy Educational Trust, said: “Since its inception, the Savoy Educational Trust has played a key role in providing funds to a wide array of educational projects within the hospitality industry. The Trustees are very concerned for the industry in light of the pandemic and are really keen to be able to give financial support to an initiative that will protect the future careers of the young people who make up such a large percentage of the hospitality workforce. They are proud to support Springboard to 2022 – Futureproofing Hospitality’s talent pipeline.”
Chris Gamm, chief executive of Springboard, said: “Springboard is delighted to be working with the Savoy Educational Trust as lead partner in Springboard to 2022. Young people are the future of the hospitality industry, and training and supporting 10,000 of them into jobs in hospitality will play a significant part in futureproofing the industry’s talent pipeline and addressing its long-term staffing crisis. The investment will enable Springboard to directly train and support 1,000 young people into traineeships, apprenticeships and direct employment by April 2022, as well as playing a key role in the delivery of the total target.”
The Trust has been a supporter of Springboard for more than 20 years and has awarded considerable funding for their FutureChef programme and the GEMS mentoring scheme.
For more information on Springboard to 2022, visit here.
Advisory Boards supporting Springboard into success
Springboard has been supported by committees and advisory boards for many years. Our Advisory Members are responsible for helping to support the strategic vision, direction, goals and quality of service delivery of the Charity (and its trading subsidiary, Springboard UK).
Although the day-to-day management activity is carried out by the executive team, the role of an Advisory Board Member is to help and support where possible, ensuring that Springboard’s programme of work is relevant to the needs of both its charity beneficiaries and the hospitality, leisure, and tourism industry. They are key to also ensuring that that appropriate partnerships are in place and that our activities are implemented to best effect, in line with Springboard’s strategic priorities and with the adequate funding / resources to support our work.
Springboard’s longest serving advisory board is our Scotland one. When Kelly Johnstone, COO, joined the organisation in 2014, the Scotland Springboard Advisory board were already an established board, made up of cross-sector industry members across education, government, skills development Scotland, industry bodies and training providers. This board has gone from strength to strength.
Kelly says “It was a vision of mine to set up more Advisory Boards across the UK, inline with the programme of works and to mimic the wealth of experience and knowledge harnessed in our Scotland Advisory Board”
In 2019, Kelly established the North West England Advisory board, which had a hugely successful first year. Then, in 2020, hit with the pandemic and lockdowns, we entered into the world of virtual meetings. During this transformational period of time, many things changed and it gave Springboard an opportunity to visit our advisory board membership.
Working closely with the Chair of the Scotland Advisory Board, Paul Wilson of Xpress Recruitment, Kelly reviewed any current skills gaps in the board, which led to the creation of an advert to recruit new board members. We were overwhelmed with the applications, which also galvanised the Wales and Northern Ireland boards to be established.
In January this year David Walker the Chair of the North West England Advisory Board handed the reigns over to Adrian Ellis of The Lowry, after helping to set up the board.
Kelly added “I am really looking forward to working with Adrian Ellis and David Steel, our Deputy Chair.”
In the last 12 months, we have also reignited the London Advisory board and our new Chair, Francisco Macedo of Cliveden House, is supporting Bryan Grierson, Operations Director across London.
Bryan said: “We are currently welcoming our new members and are encouraging more to join. Membership on a board is a great opportunity and experience to those in the sector who want to support development and growth”
Michael Grove of Hotstats is Chair of the Wales Advisory Board and Lisa Steele is the Chair of the Northern Ireland Advisory Board.
Our five highly experienced Chairs have committed to meeting regularly outside their regional meetings, which will drive a consistent approach across the UK.
In the last 12 months, we have put lot of work into developing our advisory boards and members to support the exciting projects that Springboard has planned for the next 18 months. Springboard to 2022 has ambitious plans to get 10,000 young people into the sector and the advisory board members will all play their part in making this happen.
To enquire about joining an advisory board please get in touch with Kelly Johnstone (kellyj@springboarduk.org.uk)
See below what some of our advisory board members have said:
“Having been previously involved with Springboard and understanding the superb work the Charity does in promoting the hospitality, leisure and tourism sector as an exciting and rewarding place to work and have a career, it was a great honour to be given the opportunity to take on the position of Chairman for the Scottish Regional Board of The Springboard Charity”
Paul Wilson, Scotland Chair & Managing Director, Xpress Recruitment
“I am delighted to be Chairing the North West Board for Springboard and look forward to the opportunities and challenges in meeting our objectives for this year and the 2022 targets . There has never been a better time to enter and engage in our industry and we look forward to welcoming and encouraging new talent to our amazing industry”
Adrian Ellis, North-West Chair & General Manager, The Lowry Hotel
“I am absolutely thrilled and humbled to take up the position of the Chair of Springboard NI Advisory Board. As the fourth generation in hospitality, it is in my blood. My love for this business has never waivered as the diversity and opportunities are endless and the more we can encourage people to see that the better”
Lisa Steele, Northern Ireland Chair & Hotel Consultant at Steele Hospitality
Michael is Chief Operating Officer at Hotstats. Hotstats provide monthly P&L benchmarking & market Insight for the hotel industry. Collecting monthly detailed financial data from hotels worldwide from over 100 brands and independent hotels, Hotstats provide over 550 different KPIs covering all operating revenues, payroll, expenses, cost of sales and ultimately departmental and total hotel profitability.
Prior to joining Hotstats, Michael held multiple operational & financial roles at hotel and corporate level, over 16 years and is a regular guest lecturer at universities & hotel schools around the world.
Michael Grove, Wales Chair & Chief Operating Officer, Hotstats
“I am honoured to be Chairing the London Advisory Board after a couple of years as a board member and look forward to driving the Springboard Initiatives with my fellow Board Members, whilst promoting the Hospitality, Leisure, and Tourism industry as a remarkable Career Choice and look forward to mentor young talent to the industry I love.”
Francisco Macedo, London Chair, Group Operations Director & Cliveden General Manager, Iconic Luxury Hotels
Springboard is recruiting!
Springboard is recruiting for 17 new roles to support the delivery of its Springboard to 2022 programme, which will get 10,000 young people into work in hospitality as it recovers over the next 18 months.
Springboard to 2022 is the industry solution to tackling hospitality, leisure and tourism’s long-term staffing crisis. It will give the industry space to focus on rebuilding from the coronavirus pandemic, while Springboard ensures there is a skilled and engaged talent pipeline ready for when the industry needs it. Springboard’s goal is to have 10,000 young people trained and ready for work, in line with the industry’s recovery, by 2022.
Chris Gamm, Springboard’s chief executive, said: “‘We have transformed the organisation to respond to the needs of the hospitality, leisure and tourism industry now and in the future and we are looking for brilliant people all over the UK to join us to support the sector’s recovery. This includes trainers, programme managers, marketeers, sales people, project coordinators and those looking to help with our mission to futureproof the talent pipeline for hospitality.”
The 17 roles are based around the UK, predominantly on 12-month fixed-term contracts. To find out more about any of these roles, click on one of the below links:
Careers, Education & Employability Programme Delivery Manager (North West) – Manchester – Indeed.com
Deadline extended until end of month for Springboard’s Virtual Awards for Excellence
Springboard UK has extended the entry deadline for its annual Awards for Excellence until Friday 29 January.
Chris Gamm, CEO of Springboard UK, said: “We’ve been blown away by the amazing, inspirational entries already received for Springboard’s Virtual Awards for Excellence, but with the challenges businesses are facing right now, a few have asked for a little more time. Therefore, we are pleased to say that we will be extending the submission deadline to give even more businesses the opportunity to showcase their best practice, resilience and outstanding contributions.
“It’s been a hugely challenging year for hospitality, but we’ve seen some amazing innovation: from the way businesses operate, market themselves, and develop their teams, to the way they look after their people and unlock new opportunities. This is the chance to recognise your colleagues, team, or the people you do business with and I encourage you to use the additional time to enter.”
The awards are open to any hospitality business that is proud of their achievements over the past year. This year there is also the option for businesses or members of the public to nominate another deserving business or individual.
New to this year, the awards will include additional categories to showcase businesses and employees who have gone above and beyond, demonstrating the ability to quickly adapt and implement new, successful initiatives in order to support their employees and communities during the pandemic.
There are 16 different awards to choose from falling under the main categories of Staff Support, Business Innovation and Community. The most impressive entries in each category will be presented virtually in March.
The Awards will be an opportunity for companies to build their employer brand and gain industry recognition – all the while supporting the Springboard Charity.
To enter, or find out more about The Springboard Awards for Excellence, visit https://springboard.uk.net/awards
Springboard’s 12 Ways of Christmas
We’re all hoping to be able to have as close to ‘normal’ a Christmas as possible, to enjoy the public holiday, visit friends and family, eat, drink and be merry!
Most people would usually be going to at least one big party or get together in one of the amazing pubs and restaurants in the UK, but with hospitality amongst the very hardest hit industries by coronavirus restrictions and lockdowns this year, it’s been impossible for us to celebrate in this way.
Unfortunately, this has also meant that many of our hospitality staff have found themselves out of work. Springboard are working to deliver hope to these people, not just for Christmas, but for years to come. We are supporting our people and businesses through skills training, professional development, employability training, careers advice, confidence building, temporary redeployment and dedicated aftercare – futureproofing the talent pipeline for hospitality.
You can help us in our mission! Here are 12 easy ways that you can support Springboard and hospitality this festive season (and beyond)…
1. Springboard’s Virtual Christmas Carols
Get in the festive spirit with us on Monday 14th December as we digitally transport you to St Cyprians Clarence Gate Church in London for a very special live-streamed service, carol singing and readings from celebrity guests, including Raymond Blanc, Monica Galetti, Thomas Frake and Ruth Hansom!
Tickets are just £25 and include a festive treats box, delivered to your door. Book your ticket now!
2. Christmas Raffle
We have some absolutely fantastic prizes to win from luxury hampers to 5 star overnight stays in exquisite UK hotels! Our Christmas raffle is now open for entries all the way through December and winners will be pulled out of a ‘hat’ in the new year by a celebrity! Read about the prizes and buy your tickets, here
3. Christmas Card Amnesty
This year, we want to invite everybody to forgo Christmas cards in favour of making a donation to Springboard. Not only will you save time by avoiding the hassle of buying, writing and posting Christmas cards, you’ll also be making a more environmentally conscious decision, whilst helping somebody to achieve their potential. Make your Christmas card amnesty donation
4. Amazon Smile
One of the easiest ways for you to contribute to The Springboard Charity this Christmas, without having to spend any extra pennies is simply by selecting us as your charity whilst doing your online Christmas Shopping on Amazon. Visit https://smile.amazon.co.uk, sign in and select The Springboard Charity as your default charity. 0.5% of your eligible purchases will be donated to us!
5. Easy Fundraising
Easyfundraising turns your everyday, online shopping into free donations. Register at www.easyfundraising.org.uk, choose The Springboard Charity as your charity and then start shopping at one of the 4,418 retailers, who will then make a small donation to us at no additional cost to you!
6. Text to Donate
We introduced the quickest and easiest way to donate to Springboard yet this year! All you need is a mobile phone. Text SBXMAS 10 to 70085 to donate £10 to Springboard (texts cost £10 + the cost of sending one standard message)
7. Be a Sponsor
Springboard organise many unique and entertaining fundraising events throughout the year. Some of these have migrated to virtual and online events, but they are still as popular as ever! Our renowned annual Awards for Excellence has moved to a virtual platform and will take place in Mach 2021. We’re celebrating the businesses and individuals who have gone above and beyond in 2020 – achieved something extraordinary to support their communities, colleagues and staff. To sponsor a category at next year’s Springboard Virtual Awards, get in touch with AgnieszkaF@springboarduk.org.uk
8. Charitable Travel
Looking forward to doing some travelling and having a holiday next year? We all are! Charitable Travel are a registered social enterprise and a financially protected travel agency. They will help you with your holiday plans. When you book a holiday or cruise with Charitable Travel, they sacrifice travel agency commission, so you can make a free five percent donation to Springboard! Start making your travel plans now
9. Take on a personal new year challenge
Whether you’re embarking on a sporting feat, cutting out something unhealthy or organising an event, we would love it if you adopted Springboard as your charity to support. Let us know what you are up to and tag us in on social media so that we can cheer you on.
Why not take part in next year’s Virtual Race to Nicaragua – look out for more information in the new year!
10. Volunteer
Use your skills, experience and time for rewarding work with Springboard as mentor, to support jobseekers with interview practice and advice sessions, to inspire young minds and discuss your own career journey.
Register your interest in volunteering here Register your interest in volunteering here
11. Refer people who need our help
If you know of anybody who has lost their job in hospitality or is currently struggling to get work, whether they are long term employed, have recently been made redundant due to covid-19 or are have left education and are looking for their first job, please put them in touch with us! A great starting point is with our Digital Hospitality Academy
12. Share the love
Talk about the great work that we do at Springboard with the world! With your friends and families, colleagues and work connections. Learn more and reach out about the Springboardto2022 Project and look into the support provided on CareerScope Why not follow us and share our posts on social media?
Springboard launches new programme in the Midlands to support jobseekers in areas hit hardest by Coronavirus
The new Support into Work Programme to assist hospitality workers in Birmingham and Leicester who are struggling to find work as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
While job opportunities in hospitality remain limited, a new two-week, virtually delivered course will help individuals to secure short-term, interim roles in sectors including retail, transport and logistics. The course will be free of charge and the support offered includes workshops on demonstrating transferrable skills to secure roles in allied sectors, alongside help with job searches, CV development, applications and interview processes. Candidates will also receive mental health support to help them manage the emotional challenges of job seeking in the current climate.
In October 2020 the Hilton Effect Foundation announced Springboard as one of its grantees, jumpstarting the development and roll-out of the first ever Support into Work Programme. The course will be the first in a series of regionally targeted initiatives to support hospitality workers impacted by the pandemic. It will begin on the 23rd November and is open for applications. To ensure the support reaches as many people as possible, there are also self-taught modules which will be made available to hospitality workers looking for help securing an interim role in another industry.
With unemployment rates particularly high in Birmingham and Leicester, the Support into Work Programme will provide vital support for local residents looking for new employment opportunities. Hospitality workers have so many valuable, transferrable skills, and this course will be perfect for anyone in need of guidance to secure an interim role until the hospitality industry is thriving again.
Stephen Cassidy, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, UK and Ireland, Hilton, said: “Even before the pandemic, Springboard’s services were a lifeline for people of all ages and backgrounds looking to kick start a career in hospitality. Now, with the hospitality industry facing its toughest period in a generation, their services are in higher demand than ever before. This programme will provide a helping hand to some of the many hardworking, dedicated people struggling to find work, and we’re delighted to support such a valuable initiative.”
Springboard is one of 23 recipients globally to receive a Hilton Effect Grant, which aims to address some of the most urgent humanitarian needs arising from the pandemic including economic security, sanitation/hygiene, food security and clean air and water.
To check eligibility and find out more about Springboard’s Support into Work Programme, please visit https://springboard.uk.net/siw/
Harri’s HospitalityUnite partners with Springboard to help hospitality and tourism businesses apply for Kickstart candidates
Harri, the tech platform behind HospitalityUnite, has partnered up with Springboard as a Government approved Gateway Employer to help hospitality employers access a Kickstart scheme grant.
HospitalityUnite is a non-profit careers portal, supporting the recovery of the UK’s economy and will make the Kickstart application process easy for businesses to apply and attract qualified Kickstart candidates. Aimed at hospitality, leisure and tourism businesses, HospitalityUnite will support operating companies in reigniting the industry and has been backed by UK Hospitality and the Scottish Tourism Alliance.
Businesses will receive direct access to candidates approved by the Department of Work & Pensions, and free use of the hiring platform to post jobs, screen candidates, conduct video interviewing and send offer letters. Employability training will also be available through the Springboard training platform, along with industry specific training. Businesses can choose the level of training required for their young people, all available through Springboard.
Springboard’s mission is to help futureproof the hospitality talent pipeline and we look forward to working with Harri to support the industry, and young people to get into work.
If you’d like to speak to a dedicated Kickstart advisor, email Bhavna at kickstart@springboarduk.org.uk
Amanda Hyndman joins Springboard board of trustees
Springboard has appointed hotelier Amanda Hyndman as a member of its board of trustees.
Hyndman, who is Area Vice President for Mandarin Oriental and General Manager of its Hyde Park property, has been a supporter of Springboard for more than a decade as a patron and former chair of its London advisory board.
Amanda Hyndman said: “I have been a patron of Springboard for 16 years and recognise the important role the charity plays in futureproofing hospitality’s talent pipeline. With hospitality so critically impacted by the Covid pandemic, Springboard has the opportunity to play a hugely important role in the industry’s recovery over the next 18 months, particularly in tackling hospitality’s long-term staffing challenge. It is an honour to join the board of trustees and support the exciting plans the team have in place.”
Springboard chairman Alastair Storey said: “I am delighted to welcome Amanda to the Springboard board of trustees. She has been a huge support of Springboard’s for many years and will bring a wealth of experience, industry knowledge and connections to the board.”
The Springboard charity’s board of trustees comprises the following members:
- Alastair Storey, Chief Executive and Chairman, Westbury Street Holdings (chairman)
- Aisling Zarraga, Partner, Linklaters
- Allister Richards, Chief Operating Officer, CH&Co
- Amanda Hyndman, Area Vice President, Mandarin Oriental
- Andy Kemp, Group Sales and Marketing Director, Bidfood
- Elaine Grell, Group People Director, The Collective
- Ian Springford, Chairman, Apex Hotels
- Kay Harriman, HR Director, Hilton UK
- Bob Silk, Hospitality Relationship Director, Barclays
- Sarah Sargeant, Finance Director, Compass Group
- Sean Haley, Regional Chair, Sodexo UK & Ireland
