Business Partner, Hand Picked Hotels offer vital support to Springboard
Our Business Partner, Hand Picked Hotels, have offered their support in generously sponsoring not just one, but three of our programmes and events.
They are the proud sponsor of the Employee Health & Wellbeing Award at the Springboard Awards for Excellence 2024. This year’s shortlist has now been announced and tickets are on sale, get yours here!
In our milestone 25th anniversary of Springboard FutureChef, Hand Picked Hotels has been a pillar of support, sharing the invaluable expertise of three of their distinguished chefs. Shane Zhao, Alec Mackins and Nigel Parnaby have not only lent their expertise but have actively participated in judging and mentoring, creating a profound impact on the development of culinary talents.
Alec Mackins also returned to support us for another year, after judging and mentoring South East winner and National Finalist Pippa last year. Alec is now mentoring Pippa again, after she just successfully won her Regional Final for the second year in a row – congratulations Pippa! We look forward to seeing them both at the National Final this year.
Nigel Parnaby also offered his support and expertise by judging at the Wolverhampton Local Final.
Shane Zhao, having supported us last year by judging and mentoring North West Winner and National Finalist Zak, returned as a judge at the West Yorkshire local final.
Alongside the Awards and Springboard FutureChef activities, Hand Picked Hotels have also been proud sponsors of our Springboard Ambassador programme.
Here is what Julia Hands, Founder and Chairman, at Hand Picked Hotels had to say about this partnership, “At Hand Picked Hotels, we are always pleased to partner with The Springboard Charity and Springboard UK and are delighted to be a sponsor once again. The unwavering support Springboard give to hospitality, tourism and leisure businesses, and those seeking employment within it from all walks of life, plays a vital role in the sustainability and diversity of our industry. They can be very proud of their achievements and we wish them another successful year.”
We are incredibly grateful for Hand Picked Hotels support and look forward to continuing our successful partnership with them.
Shortlist Announced for Springboard Awards for Excellence 2024
The 50 shortlisted hospitality businesses and individuals competing to win a coveted Springboard Award for Excellence 2024 on 11 April, has been announced.
Springboard was delighted to receive nearly 200 entries and nominations this year, a record number for its annual hospitality awards, which are delivered in partnership with headline sponsor IHG.
The judging panel of industry experts and Springboard Ambassadors praised the exceptionally high standard of entries received across all categories this year, including two new awards for Best Use of Technology and Talent Development Team of the Year.
The awards ceremony will take place at the prestigious InterContinental Park Lane, in the heart of Mayfair, London on 11 April and will be hosted by renowned comedian Simon Brodkin – off the back of his latest comedy tour, and recent TV appearance on The Royal Variety Performance.
The awards recognise and celebrate the UK and Ireland’s hospitality superstars, and those that have gone above and beyond to grow their organisation, look after their people and champion the industry.
Chris Gamm, chief executive of Springboard, said: ‘To be shortlisted for a Springboard Award for Excellence is a mark of hospitality brilliance. The awards are a fantastic opportunity to come together and commend our top businesses and people, showcasing their successes and hugely talented workforces. Yet again, the awards have grown, and the stunning InterContinental Park Lane is the perfect setting for us all to gather, raise a glass and celebrate our incredible industry.’
Tables and tickets are now available to purchase to attend the event HERE.
THE SPRINGBOARD AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE 2024 SHORTLIST:
Fiona Colley Trainee of the Year Award – sponsored by Savoy Educational Trust
Alistair Kemley
Kierra Smith
Natasha Elston
Sophie Pace-Balzan
Best Recruitment Initiative Award – sponsored by Caterer.com
Greene King
Hilton
Liberation Pub Group
Providence Hotels
Z Hotels
Best Apprenticeship Strategy Award – sponsored by HIT Training
CH&CO
Greene King
JKS Restaurants
Mitchells & Butlers
The Vineyard Hotel, Newbury
Academy by Simon Rogan
Employee Engagement Award – sponsored by Boyes Turner
CH&CO
Dalata Hotel Group
Eden Hotel Collection
Elior
RARE Restaurants
Best Training Programme Award – sponsored by Blastness
CH&CO
Dakota Hotels
Leonardo Hotels
RARE Restaurants
Sodexo Live!
Career Development Initiative Award – sponsored by Diageo
Accor
Crerar Hotels
IHG Hotels and Resorts
RARE Restaurants
RBH Hospitality Management
Best Use of Technology Award – sponsored by MAPAL Group
Delaware North
The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences
The Elms
The Lowry
Talent Development Team of the Year Award – sponsored by Hospitality Jobs UK
5 Hertford Street and Oswald’s
Raffles Hotel
Z Hotels
Employee Health and Wellbeing Award – sponsored by Hand Picked Hotels
Dishoom
Eden Hotel Collection
RARE Restaurants
Valor Hospitality
Community Engagement Award – sponsored by 5 Hertford Street & Oswald’s
Aurora Foxes
Craig Prentice, mum
DoubleTree by Hilton London ExCel
Sodexo
Disability Champion Award – sponsored by Sodexo
Cardiff Council
Greene King
Gusto Restaurants
Hilton
Pan Pacific London
Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Award – sponsored by CH&CO
Brewhouse & Kitchen
Elior
RARE Restaurants
The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences
Valor Hospitality
Best Education and Industry Partnership Award – sponsored by San Carlo
Aloft Birmingham Eastside & The Eastside Rooms
Hilton
Sodexo
The Vineyard Group
Academy by Simon Rogan
Sustainable Business Award – sponsored by Franke Coffee Systems
Apex Hotels
Hilton
Leonardo Hotels
Sodexo
Wilson Vale
Springboard Ambassador of the Year – sponsored by BaxterStorey
Ian Higgins, The Ivy Collection
Julian Rose-Gibbs, The Anchor Pub, Digbeth
Kyle Basnett, Gusto Restaurants
Michael Taylor, Sodexo
Best Employer Award – sponsored by Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
5 Hertford Street and Oswald’s
Eden Hotel Collection
Hand Picked Hotels
Nobu Hotel Shoreditch
Permanently Unique
The Belfry Hotel & Resort
Chris Beaumont Outstanding Contribution Award – sponsored by Bidfood
Winner to be announced on the night
Springboard enhances its information security, thanks to Amentum and Cranfield Trust
Springboard has completed a 12-month project to ensure our information security practices are well suited to the evolving security challenges in 2023 and beyond. Working with defence contractor Amentum, organised through Cranfield Trust, the project saw our team restructure policy, create and complete bespoke training for the entire team and upgrade hardware and systems.
Leading the project for Springboard, Head of Digital Development, Ted Blackwell said “Springboard set out to secure expert assistance in improving our Information Security position and Jonathan and Jemma’s knowledge of both ISO27001 and the information security landscape has helped us to both align to, and mature within, the ISO27001 framework.
Many thanks to both the team at Amentum and the Cranfield Trust for their support in delivering this project. Amentum’s concise professional guidance, delivered in a friendly environment, challenged us to improve our information security, while also protecting the organisation. Springboard will continue to improve on our journey to align our Information Security to the ISO27001 international standard, with a fantastic start made.“
Amentum‘s UK and International sector CISO, Jon Cornish noted that “The commitment and investment demonstrated by Springboard and in particular its CEO, Chris Gamm and Head of Digital Development, Ted Blackwell, really stood out to us. Springboard demonstrated its passion and determination to raise standards and commit to its Data Protection and Information Security programme.
Throughout the project Springboard made it clear that they want to be best placed to meet and maintain their obligations, protect their people, organisation, valuable assets and important work within the charitable sector.“
Savoy Educational Trust and Springboard join forces to promote hospitality careers to more than 300,000 people
Savoy Educational Trust and Springboard have announced a three-year partnership to promote hospitality careers to more than 300,000 prospects.
They will offer industry training, put on activities in schools and colleges, and market hospitality careers to those searching for work across the UK.
Savoy Educational Trust will be funding three key areas of Springboard’s work between 2023 and 2026:
- Employability Training Courses – supporting 1,156 disadvantaged people per year through a Springboard Training Course, in which they will receive soft skill development, hospitality training, accredited qualifications, CV and interview workshops, work experience, and guaranteed job interviews.
- Careers & Education Activity – allowing 3,128 students and school leavers per year to participate in hospitality takeover days, career hub sessions, and summer school training programmes.
- CareerScope Promotion – attracting 100,000 people per year to the CareerScope portal, where they can learn about hospitality careers, join a Springboard course, or apply for one of over 20,000 jobs or apprenticeships.
Angela Maher, Chief Executive of the Savoy Educational Trust, said: “Partnering with Springboard allows us to make a meaningful impact on the future of UK hospitality by investing in key areas that promote education and employment opportunities.
We believe in the transformative power of education, and through our funding, Springboard will be able to deliver essential employability training courses for disadvantaged individuals, fostering a passion for hospitality among thousands of students and young people, and using CareerScope as a bridge between individuals seeking employment and the wealth of opportunities within the sector.”
Chris Gamm, Chief Executive of the Springboard Charity, said: “We are thrilled to team up with the Savoy Educational Trust in this ambitious and inspiring three-year partnership. By combining our expertise and resources, we aim to open up exciting opportunities in the hospitality industry for more than 105,000 individuals per year; and build on our fantastic work together delivering the Springboard to2022 project, in which we helped 10,384 young people secure hospitality jobs.”
voco St. David’s, Cardiff supports Springboard with nurturing the future stars of hospitality!
voco St. David’s, Cardiff has proudly lent their support to us by opening its doors and extending its superb hosting to over 130 young people from schools in the Welsh capital, at a ‘Springboard Takeover Day’.
The Springboard Takeover Day, sponsored by voco St. David’s, Cardiff, took place on Monday 23rd October 2023. Konstantin Grimm, General Manager, voco St. David’s, Cardiff, welcomed pupils from five local secondary schools – Stanwell School and Sixth Form, Penarth; Cathays High School, Cardiff; Cardiff West Community High School; Fitzalan High School and Sixth Form, Cardiff and Corpus Christi Catholic High School, Cardiff;– to the event, devoted to the magnificent sector that is, hospitality.
Having been greeted by Konstantin and Springboard Ambassadors, students enjoyed a talk from Chris Ireland, Director of Operations UK&I, IHG Hotels & Resorts. Then, alongside other senior representatives from IHG (Gail Bagley, Human Resources Director UK&I; Kirsty Hart, Vice President, Human Resources UK&I; and Lindsey Wakeley, Human Resources Business Partner, South), pupils experienced a dedicated programme of carefully curated 30-minute workshops, as Konstantin explains:
“It’s a real privilege to support Springboard by sponsoring and hosting such a fantastic event here at voco St. David’s, Cardiff. Springboard supports the hospitality, leisure and tourism industries; working with education establishments to help them deliver industry insight and skills development to students as they transition into employment. The Springboard Takeover Day presents young people – the future stars of our industry – with an opportunity to get a feel for the hospitality sector. A special sector, and one that the team here in Cardiff absolutely loves being a part of! With a programme of activities aimed at encouraging students to consider a career in such a fabulous industry, the workshops allowed pupils to experience, in a hands-on manner, how it feels to be a hospitality professional. We’ve been able to show them the variety of roles available, and allow them to gain insight into a diverse range of career opportunities, which they may have been unaware of previously.”
Led by heads of department from voco St. David’s, Cardiff, the skills workshops included laying a dinner table for service and boxing a tablecloth; towel artistry (Housekeeping); hand massage techniques (Spa), marketing (Marketing); pancake making (Kitchen); and mocktail making (Food and Beverage).
Held across the hotel’s Roald Dahl and Dylan Thomas suites, voco St. David’s, Cardiff also provided participants of the Springboard Takeover Day with a delicious lunch – a real treat for students, giving them an insight into the culinary experience provided by the hotel to guests enjoying its Tir a Môr restaurant.
The day concluded with the ‘Rising Star’ awards, which saw certificates and goodie bags awarded to winners from each of the workshop groups. A fantastic way of recognising the incredible talent of the young people who may decide to join the industry!
Speaking about the day, Rebecca Slade, Careers, Education & Employability Programme Delivery Manager, Springboard, comments:
“The Springboard Charity was set up over 30 years ago and our mission is to futureproof the talent pipeline for hospitality by giving young and unemployed people the skills and confidence to launch their careers in the industry. We are absolutely delighted that voco St. David’s, Cardiff was keen to support our vision and host our Takeover Day today. What an incredible opportunity for these local schoolchildren to have an insight into jobs within hospitality. We hope that many will have been inspired today to start their hospitality career path.”
To find out more about voco St. David’s, Cardiff please visit stdavids.vocohotels.com or call +44(0)292 045 4045
Springboard held an Ambassador Networking Event in Manchester!
The latest Springboard Ambassador Networking Event took place on the evening of Monday 30th October in Manchester. It was an event filled with insightful conversations, forming connections, and a shared passion for the future of hospitality.
Hosted by the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, the event brought together industry leaders such as Hilton, Handpicked Hotels, Sodexo, Dakota Hotels, Bills Restaurant, Apex, San Carlo, Boyes Turner, Vine Hotels, and more. Discussions revolved around collaboration, support, and the mission of Springboard.
Keynote speakers Carolina Rowe and Andrew Aston shared some brilliant insights. Caroline highlighted ways businesses can collaborate with Springboard, emphasizing IHG’s commitment to a brighter future for Hospitality. Andrew spoke passionately about mental health in hospitality, emphasizing awareness and support, touching the hearts of everyone present.
In the true spirit of hospitality, the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel offered delicious food and drinks, creating a welcoming and friendly atmosphere for the evening, encouraging guests to mingle and connect. The event provided a chance to make connections, share a unifying passion for the industry, share expertise, and find ways to uplift the hospitality industry whilst guiding young minds towards fulfilling career choices.
Here’s what Patricia, Ambassador Project Lead at Springboard had to say “It was so great to connect with Ambassadors and business partners, some of them for the very first time! It felt like the whole room was buzzing with the energy of the hospitality industry!”
Thank you to all attendees and speakers, and in particular to IHG and Kimpton Hotel for making it possible!
The Springboard Awards for Excellence 2024 are Open for Nominations and Entries!
Hospitality professionals across the UK and Ireland are encouraged to enter themselves or their business in one of 16 categories at the 2024 Springboard Awards for Excellence, which celebrate excellence in recruitment, training, staff development and retention across the industry.
The free-to-enter Awards for Excellence are open to businesses and individuals that have achieved outstanding things over the past 12 months, from providing an exceptional and inclusive guest experience, improved your team’s loyalty and retention, or made a significant impact within your community.
Delivered in partnership with headline sponsor IHG, the awards ceremony will take place at the prestigious InterContinental Park Lane, London on Thursday 11 April 2024. Two new awards have also been added for 2024 – Best Use of Technology, and Talent Development Team of the Year.
The deadline for final entries is Monday 8 January 2024 and the shortlist will be announced in February 2024, along with the opportunity to buy tickets to the star-studded awards banquet.
Businesses winning Springboard Awards for Excellence in 2023 include Gleneagles, Brewhouse & Kitchen, Dishoom, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Wagamama, Z Hotels, and Sodexo.
Looking forward to the event, Springboard’s CEO Chris Gamm said: “Each year, the Springboard Awards for Excellence ceremony grows in popularity and in 2024 we will continue that trend. It’s a great indicator of the strength of the hospitality industry, the talented workforce within it and the many successes of the industry this past year.”
“The Springboard Awards for Excellence are one of the most prestigious recognitions in the hospitality sector. Being a finalist or winner is a mark of excellence that stands out on your professional journey. The awards ceremony brings together industry leaders and influencers and is a fantastic opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, receiving the exposure your business deserves.”
Join in and recognise the UK and Ireland’s hospitality superstars, who have made outstanding contributions to the vibrant and dynamic industry, including those who have inspired us over the last year with their resourcefulness, creativity, innovative ideas, supporting the growth of their organisation, developing their co-workers, and leading within their communities.
Henderson Foodservice play crucial role in supporting Springboard
Henderson Foodservice have offered their continued support for Springboard, and our Springboard FutureChef programme. Their support at local and regional finals in Northern Ireland has been crucial. Alongside supporting Springboard FutureChef, they have also been strong advocates for our Springboard Ambassador initiative, encouraging those in their business to sign up.
As of recent, Henderson Foodservice have been supportive of our Tourism Northern Ireland Roadshows and Hospitality Takeover Days, where they have delivered culinary skills workshops and spoke to trainees about their career journeys, sharing opportunities within their organisation.
Their support doesn’t stop there. On various occasions, Henderson Foodservice have invited trainees on our Springboard courses to view their premises and offered tours around their departments. They have also assisted in CV and interview skills workshops, conducting mock interviews simultaneously.
Here’s what Roy Dempster of Henderson Foodservice had to say “Henderson Foodservice were delighted in 2021 to be approached by the Springboard Northern Ireland team requesting our local support for their flagship UK National Educational competition FutureChef.
As a business we were happy to support such a worthwhile charity which solely focuses on promoting the Hospitality Industry, inspiring and attracting people into it thereby helping create that all important future talent industry pipeline.
We were fully engaged and attended regional heats with several of our foodservice team involved. It gave Henderson Foodservice the opportunity to engage with our current clients and customer contacts, involving them in the judging process, confirming the interest and impact that we as an organisation have on the success of the Springboard FutureChef programme.
Our involvement also placed us in a pivotal position to meet ‘new customers’ and we grew some of this new customer base as a direct result. As a business we have pledged to continue our support for this competition and look forward to seeing new talent emerging into the industry.”
Industry unites to encourage uptake in hospitality careers
Senior industry leaders have united in a programme of autumn school visits designed to encourage more young people to consider a career in hospitality.
Compass, Elior, Punch Pubs, Sodexo and Nestlé Professional® will join Kate Nicholls OBE, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, and Chris Gamm, CEO of Springboard, visiting schools across the UK to help improve the perception of hospitality careers.
The school visits mark the start of a big recruitment drive by the Choose Hospitality Pledge. Co-founded by Nestlé Professional, Choose Hospitality and Springboard CareerScope, the Choose Hospitality Pledge is seeking motivated ambassadors to help educate secondary students about the industry’s wide range of entry-level roles and training opportunities, the breadth of roles available – dispelling the ‘only chef or waiter’ myth – as well as the many career pathways on offer.
Commenting on the new school’s programme this autumn, Nestlé Professional managing director, Katya Simmons, said:
“Hospitality businesses are more than twice as likely than other industries to experience challenges filling vacancies[1]. To address this, we are leading an industry alliance urging hospitality ambassadors to step forward and promote the industry to young people. The Pledge has been created by us with Choose Hospitality and Springboard CareerScope, and is garnering support from a growing number of hospitality and industry leaders.
“Together with our founding partners, we’re galvanising the hospitality industry in the UK to unite and help tackle the recruitment challenge. We’re calling on industry to sign up to the Pledge as ambassadors and visit their local secondary schools. Ambassadors will be equipped with campaign toolkits and props to engage with schoolchildren and demonstrate the exciting opportunities that exist in our industry. Now is the time for people who have carved out a career in the industry to give something back.”
UKHospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls OBE said:
“As the third largest private sector employer in the UK, it’s essential that we shine a light on the fantastic career opportunities that hospitality can provide, and education plays a key role in attracting the next generation of British talent. While only 10% of jobs in hospitality are currently recognised by the UK government as skilled, our industry is filled with highly trained and motivated professionals, and more roles need to be recognised to ensure we continue to attract young workers to the hugely rewarding careers on offer and bring in the skills that we need.”
The Choose Hospitality Pledge gives school leavers the opportunity to experience how dynamic, rewarding and exciting the sector is as a career. It aims to reshape perceptions of the hospitality sector and ignite a passion for careers among young people.
To give back to your profession by inspiring the next generation of talent, please register as a Choose Hospitality Pledge ambassador by visiting: https://my.careerscope.uk.net/ambassador-signup.
The Soho Sandwich Co. Get in the Festive Spirit and Support Springboard this Christmas!
Christmas is the season of giving and spreading joy, and that’s exactly what The Soho Sandwich Co. are doing.
From mid-November and throughout December, SOHO have pledged a 25p donation to Springboard per Christmas product sold from their delectable festive range of fresh sandwiches, toasties and paninis.
Our London supporters will be delighted to learn that The Soho Sandwich Co. are also generously providing sandwiches from their festive range at the Springboard Christmas Carols on Thursday 7th December.
Their Soho Sandwich Co’s festive range includes the following mouth-watering fillings:
- Turkey and Trimmings Signature Sandwich
- Turkey and Stuffing Sandwich
- Vegan Festive Feast Sandwich
- Triple Cheese and Fig Panini
- Pigs Under Blankets Panini
- Boxing Day Toastie
We’re also excited to announce that Adrian O’Hare, Sales & Marketing Director at The Soho Sandwich Co. will be taking on the ultimate challenge next year as he takes part in Springboard’s Cambodia Trek, which will see him trekking 100km through the Cambodian Wilds, from Siem Reap to Wat Preash Bat Bun Tham, to Kulen Mountain, and finally Angkor Wat for a sunrise to remember. A once in a lifetime experience!
The last few spaces are remaining on the Springboard Cambodia Trek. You can secure your place with a £500 deposit today.
The Soho Sandwich Co. story began in January 2000, in a small kitchen in North London. Since then, they’ve grown into one of the UK’s leading producers of food to go, now delivering nationwide six days a week. Their ambition is clear – to become the UK’s number one sandwich brand, beloved by everyone because of their unwavering commitment to quality.
In 2022, their dedication to excellence was recognised when they were awarded ‘Manufacturer of the Year’ by the British Sandwich Association. This praise is a testament to their dedication to crafting the finest sandwiches and other delicious offerings. In June this year, they were acquired by Around Noon Ltd, an Irish sandwich manufacturer, strengthening their position and offering in the market
They work together with their suppliers to ensure consistently high-quality ingredients, produced safely and sustainably, with an emphasis on freshness. This commitment to quality and sustainability is not only good for their customers but also for the environment.
We are extremely grateful for The Soho Sandwich Co. support over the festive period and beyond. Make sure you try out their Christmas range this Winter!