More than £100k raised at the Springboard Awards for Excellence as Champions of the UK’s Hospitality Industry crowned
More than £100,000 was raised at the Springboard Awards for Excellence 2022, in partnership with Smart Group, this week as the hospitality charity crowned its hospitality heroes of the past 12 months.
The awards ceremony highlighted the great lengths our hospitality businesses have been to in order to attract talent and look after, develop and retain their workforce, through being innovative, inclusive and collaborative.
The evening was a spectacular event with the backdrop of stunning city views from the 4th and 5th floors of The Science Museum in the exclusive ‘Illuminate’ venue.
Julia Sibley, chief executive of the Savoy Educational Trust, collected the Chris Beaumont Outstanding Contribution award, while Mitchells & Butlers and Bartlett Mitchell each picked up two awards and Rare Restaurants, Luxury Family Hotels and Sodexo were also among the winners.
Hosted by TV Presenter and Paralympian champion Ade Adepitan, who shared a personal and evocative story with the room, giving appreciation of charities like Springboard, who support those in a disadvantaged position to reach their potential. The great and the good of the hospitality industry dug deep to raise more than 100k for the charity across donations, sponsorship and ticket sales.
Springboard CEO, Chris Gamm, kicked off the ceremony by commending those nominated and shortlisted for doing an outstanding job, championing the industry and aligning with Springboard’s mission to futureproof the talent pipeline for hospitality.
The awards fell on the same week that Springboard hit the milestone of supporting 5,000 young, unemployed people into work as part of its ‘Springboard to 2022’ initiative. Chris also gave a mention to Springboard FutureChef’s recent winner, Phoebe Lawson, who took the crown at the national final last month.
The full list of the Springboard Awards for Excellence winners:
Ambassador of the Year, sponsored by BaxterStorey – Catrina Pengelley, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
Best Kickstart Employer, sponsored by Harri – Sodexo
Best Apprenticeship Strategy, sponsored by Hit Training – Mitchells & Butlers
Best Education and Industry Partnership Award, sponsored by Sodexo – The Grand, Brighton
Disability Confident Award – Hotel Brooklyn
Career Development Initiative, sponsored by Diageo – Philema Hospitality Management
Best Employer, sponsored by American Express – Luxury Family Hotels
Best Practice Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Integration – Rare Restaurants
Best Recruitment Initiative, sponsored by Handpicked Hotels – Mitchells & Butlers
Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Award, sponsored by CH&Co – Bartlett Mitchell
Best Talent Onboarding, sponsored by Mapal – Royal Lancaster London
Employee Health and Wellbeing Award, sponsored by Pladis – Bartlett Mitchell
Business Innovation, sponsored by 5 Hertford Street – Balmer Lawn Hotel
Community Engagement Award – Sea Containers, London
Fiona Colley Trainee of the Year Award – Kevin McGowan
Chris Beaumont Outstanding Contribution Award, sponsored by Bidfood – Julia Sibley, Savoy Educational Trust
We were joined by Showtime Photo Booth, the go to company for photo booth hire in London with their GIF Photo Booth
Thank you
Edinburgh students celebrate success at Johnnie Walker Princes Street graduation
Nine students have celebrated their graduation at the Johnnie Walker Princes Street Learning for Life Academy in a special ceremony hosted within the new visitor experience to toast their success.
The students have completed the six-week bartending and hospitality course which offers young people entry level training in bartending and hospitality, including work experience in local pubs, bars and restaurants.
All participants of this cohort have been offered the opportunity to interview for a role at Gleneagles Townhouse in Edinburgh, which is due to open in spring 2022 in a major move which will see the iconic brand expand beyond the Perthshire hills for the first time in its almost 100-year history.
Congratulating the students on their graduation, Gleneagles’ Director of People & Culture, Emma Simpson, said: “Hospitality is an industry like no other. Dynamic, exciting and rewarding in equal measure, there are very few career paths that present the same breadth of roles and opportunities for continuous professional development and progression.
“It’s wonderful to see so many young people kickstarting their hospitality careers through this programme which is helping to nurture the next generation of talent here in Edinburgh. We’re thrilled for the graduates and look forward to following and supporting them as they progress in their careers.”
Diageo Learning for Life is an award-winning bartender training programme, through which the company invests £1m-per-year in offering opportunities to young unemployed people in the UK to get into hospitality careers.
Since launch in Scotland in 2014, over 4,000 people have graduated from the programme with 88% going on to sustained employment and a further 6% going on to further education.
Ewan Ritchie, from Midlothian, is celebrating his graduation from the course which has recently completed in Edinburgh, only the second course to be held in the new Learning for Life Academy at Johnnie Walker Princes Street.
The new Johnnie Walker Princes Street visitor experience has a dedicated bar for the Learning for Life programme, giving students access to world class training. The academy provides ample space for presentations, tutorials and lessons as well as a large, open bar area where people can learn and hone the skills they learn.
Ewan, said: “The last six weeks have been absolutely fantastic and I am so grateful to have been able to work with such a wonderful team to kickstart my career in hospitality. My favourite part of the course was learning practical skills and gaining product knowledge from inspirational trainers and Ambassadors within the Industry]. I really look forward to starting my full time front of house role within the new Gleneagles Townhouse.”
Gillian Dalziel, Learning for Life Programme Manager in the UK said: “Congratulations to all the students that have graduated today. It has been great to see all their hard work come to fruition. At Diageo we aim to promote sustainable growth through inclusive programmes and Learning for Life plays an important role in giving young people the opportunity to kickstart a career in such a vibrant industry.”
The Learning for Life course in Edinburgh was delivered by Diageo partner The Springboard Charity, who works closely with Diageo to ensure the highest quality training and experience is delivered to Learning for Life students.
Chris Gamm, CEO of Springboard, said: “This has been another hugely successful course, delivered to a group of engaged and enthusiastic individuals in Scotland. We couldn’t be more proud of the graduates and are delighted that they have all been offered interviews at Gleneagles Townhouse. The Learning for Life Academy at Johnnie Walker Princes Street is already proving itself as a vital training centre, making a positive impact on improving the hospitality talent pipeline in Edinburgh.”
To find out more about Diageo Learning for Life and how to apply, please visit here.
4C Associates partners with Springboard to nurture hospitality talent pipeline
4C Associates, one of Europe’s largest consultancies dedicated to procurement and supply chain transformation has joined Springboard as a corporate patron. The charity, which helps people of all ages and backgrounds to build their careers in hospitality, leisure, and tourism, provides employability training and education programmes, as well as careers resources and advice.
Established in 1990 to support the hospitality, leisure and tourism industry, Springboard’s key goal is to futureproof the talent pipeline, tackling ongoing problems the industry faces, including staff and skills shortages. They do this by working with schools, colleges, and universities to enhance curriculum teaching delivered to students – helping them gain key industry insight and skills development required for the transition from education to employment.
Springboard help disadvantaged and unemployed people to gain soft and hard skills, industry insight, and work placement opportunities, leading to overall improved wellbeing, enhanced employability, and a transition to positive destinations, including employment, further education, and apprenticeships. Springboard’s programmes provide engaging and motivational training alongside mentoring support during the whole process, and also once the candidate is in employment.
4C Associates, the London-headquartered consultancy, supporting clients in the hospitality and leisure sector to optimise their supply chains, from farm to fork, to deliver sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective outcomes, will join the charity to help to make a difference in the industry.
“At 4C our consultants are industry experts who work collaboratively with our hospitality clients to deliver long term value to the business. I’m proud that we are able to use our expertise and skillset to support the industry that’s been hit by events of the past few years and future proof the hospitality talent pipeline”, said Gavin Bowen-Ashwin, Managing Partner and Head of Hospitality at 4C Associates.
The team’s focus at 4C Associates is on four core areas: optimising supply chain operation and distribution networks, food and beverage sourcing and range optimisation, developing effective procurement functions and transformation; and procurement cost reduction – all with the aim of improving EBITDA in a sustainable way that supports the business strategy and growth.
“This is the most crucial time to support the industry and make an impactful change, working in solidarity to get businesses back on their feet and help the 2.9 million people who have been made unemployed or furloughed as a result of COVID-19.”, added Kirsty Linton, Business Development Manager at Springboard.
Between 2020 and 2021, Springboard engaged 27,010 pupils through their careers and education programmes, across 420 schools, colleges, and universities. 1,952 young and disadvantaged people were trained through their employability programmes and the charity supported 47,442 people with specialist careers information and guidance through their careers, education, and employability programmes and via CareerScope – an industry support hub, launched in 2020.
“We are looking forward to establishing a long-term partnership with Springboard and hope to make a positive impact on the industry through our joint efforts.”, concluded Gavin Bowen-Ashwin.
Ade Adepitan MBE to host Springboard Awards for Excellence 2022
Springboard UK has revealed that Paralympian champion, TV presenter and journalist – Ade Adepitan MBE – will present its Awards for Excellence 2022 on Thursday 7th April.
Held at the Science Museum’s breath-taking Illuminate venue, the ceremony will reward outstanding achievements in hospitality, celebrating its finest individuals and businesses. Ade will reveal winners across 16 categories – recognising everything from employee health & wellbeing and career development initiatives, to best community engagement and business innovation.
Also joining the festivities is Showtime Photo Booth with its popular animated GIF booth.
More than 40 leading restaurant, hotel, pub, bar and catering business have made the shortlist for the Awards.
Springboard CEO, Chris Gamm, says: “We’re delighted that Ade can join our celebrations and having such an inspiring and engaging host is the perfect addition to what is shaping up to be a very special event in the hospitality calendar.
“Our industry has gone above and beyond throughout the pandemic to support their communities and employees, bring in new talent, and succeed despite the odds. We’re looking forward to welcoming Ade as we celebrate the true stars of the hospitality industry face-to-face at such a fantastic venue.”
Ade Adepitan MBE says: “I’m absolutely delighted to host the Springboard Awards for Excellence and celebrate the successes of the fantastic hospitality industry over the last year. We’ve all seen some amazing things happen in our restaurants, pubs, bars, hotels and cafes over the last year and this has been in spite of staff shortages and restrictions. I’m also in awe of the work that Springboard does to help young, unemployed and underprivileged people in our communities to get skills, build their confidence and find lifelong careers in the hospitality industry!”
The awards, in partnership with the Smart Group, will take place from 7pm-midnight on Thursday 7th April. Individual tickets are £200 (plus vat) or £1,900 (plus vat) for a table of 10. Tickets are available to buy at https://springboard.uk.net/awards/.
Springboard appoints three new trustees
Springboard is delighted to announce the appointment of three new trustees, two of which benefitted from the charity’s programmes at the start of their careers in hospitality.
Jennifer Earland is head of talent acquisition at Hawksmoor and found her first role in hospitality after taking part in a Springboard employability programme. After starting in restaurant operations, Jennifer moved into people 10 years ago, working for Core Recruitment, Harts Group and now Hawksmoor.
Also joining the board is Alex Wilson, front office manager at the Goring Hotel, who first worked with Springboard during his time at school when he was crowned FutureChef champion in 2005. Alex has also worked at Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair, Elite Hotels and The Royal Household, and has been a Springboard ambassador for many years.
Jennifer Earland said: “After going through one of Springboard’s programmes which resulted in my first role in hospitality, I have first-hand experience of the positive impact they have on young people’s lives. This, alongside my belief that hospitality can be a rewarding and welcoming career for anyone, from any background, is the reason I am honoured to be joining the board and supporting all the fantastic work the charity does.”
Alex Wilson said: “I feel incredibly honoured to have been asked to join the amazing board of trusees for Springboard, a charity I have been associated with now for over 15 years in many different ways. Springboard gave me the platform to launch my career in hospitality through FutureChef in 2005 and in this role I intend to give back and support many more in to our wonderful industry.”
Meanwhile, Gareth Sharpe has also joined the board of trustees and will chair Springboard’s finance committee. Gareth is chief finance officer of Compass Group UK & Ireland and previously spent nine years at Tesco, most recently as CFO for Asia.
Springboard chairman, Alastair Storey said: “I am delighted to welcome Jennifer, Alex and Gareth to Springboard’s board of trustees. Their industry knowledge and first-hand experience of our work will be a huge asset in our mission to futureproof hospitality’s talent pipeline and attract the next generation of workers.”
CareerScope hits milestone of helping 100,000 people kickstart careers in hospitality since launch
A platform created to help people kickstart careers in hospitality is celebrating hitting the milestone of having reached 100,000 users since its launch.
Responding to industry-wide concerns regarding the detrimental impacts of COVID-19 on the future careers of a whole generation of hospitality workers, CareerScope was launched in September 2020, supported by leading names in the industry including Raymond Blanc, Michel Roux Jr, and Clare Smyth. 18 months on, the platform has been used by 100,319 people looking to kickstart a hospitality career.
An industry first, CareerScope is a partnership between five organisations: Springboard, Hospitality Action, UK Hospitality, the Institute of Hospitality, and the Savoy Educational Trust. Its objectives are to promote careers in hospitality, attract talent to the industry and support those whose jobs were affected during the Covid pandemic.
Discussing the platform and how it helps its users, Clare Smyth said: “CareerScope is a great initiative to help those who’ve lost their jobs get back on their feet and give them the skills and support to relaunch their career.”
The free service promotes careers in hospitality to new potential workers, supports those within the industry, and has brought the hospitality community together to provide careers advice and resources on developing skills. The platform also provides financial and wellbeing support, ultimately helping people get back into work and progress in their careers.
18 months since its launch, the impact the platform has had on those looking for support and information has been revealed. To date, there have been 100,319 users of CareerScope, with 21,990 new users in February 2022 alone – the most in a month since its launch. 2,713 users have actively created profiles to access Springboard’s training programmes, and the platform is believed to be the second-largest pool of hospitality jobs behind Indeed, with 29,369 live jobs and apprenticeships available.
CareerScope provides numerous initiatives within its platform, including a recently-launched teachers & careers adviser hub. Targeted at school leavers and careers advisers, the hub is designed to give educational facilities the tools to run a hospitality careers session in their school, college, or university. It includes sample lesson plans, inspirational videos, information on the industry, webinars, careers resources, and information for parents.
Further boosting the profile of CareerScope, a major campaign has launched in Northern Ireland to dispel myths and improve perceptions of careers in hospitality and tourism, helping to attract new talent and tackle staffing challenges.
The campaign is running until the end of March this year, with employers currently being invited to advertise their vacancies for free on the CareerScope campaign jobs portal.
Chris Gamm, CEO of Springboard, said: “The hospitality industry has faced one of its biggest ever challenges over the past 18 months and we have a lot of work to do to promote the great opportunities that a career in hospitality provides. The next generation will be hugely important in helping us to recover from the pandemic and in shaping the future of our industry, therefore it’s essential we show them what a brilliant career hospitality can offer and support them in getting great jobs.
“CareerScope is a one-stop hub, keeping people engaged, motivated, skilled, and getting them ready for work. The easy-to-access platform offers everything from free training, CV writing, and career webinars to financial support, health and wellbeing resources -plus listings to thousands of live jobs and available apprenticeships.”
For more information, or to create a profile, visit https://careerscope.uk.net/.
Record number of female finalists announced in national chef competition for schools
Almost 70% of finalists in a national competition to find the UK’s most talented young chef are female, suggesting that more young women are being inspired to seek careers in the culinary sector.
Hosted by the UK hospitality charity, Springboard, the competition is supported by the likes of Clare Smyth and Tom Kerridge, the former being the first and only British woman to win three Michelin stars.
The regional heats for the Springboard FutureChef competition took place last month, identifying 12 of the most up-and-coming young chefs from across the UK and Ireland. The finalists will now battle it out to be crowned champion in the national final being held in London on Monday 14 March 2022.
Aiming to find the UK and Ireland’s next generation of culinary talent, Springboard’s FutureChef is a school-based programme that supports the development of life skills while inspiring young people to pursue an exciting career within the world of hospitality.
Discussing her success, Diana Marin, 15,West Midlands regional winner and one of the eight female finalists, said: “Until I joined this competition, I didn’t realise that it was my passion to cook. It has opened a new path to my future and inspired me to follow a dream I never knew I had.”
Jodie Cochrane, 18-year-old winner of FutureChef 2020, also shared her experience: “After winning Springboard’s FutureChef competition, I’ve been able to pursue my dream job as a professional chef. I’m so grateful to have been given this platform to showcase my passion for hospitality, learn from experienced chefs, and develop my own skills. Ultimately, this experience has given me the confidence and ability to secure a fantastic apprenticeship programme at the very start of my career.”
Celebrating Springboard’s recent diversity win, leading female chefs have considered the perceived challenges faced by women working in hospitality – a sector that continues to be dominated by men.
Discussing how the sector can accelerate gender-parity, Michelin star chef Clare Smyth, said: “The important thing is having visible representation. It’s not something that occurred to me when I was younger, I just wanted to work with the best chefs in the profession and there were almost no women at the top in those days — it was mainly men, so all my mentors were men. I try to make sure that I mentor my team. It’s important to do what we can to keep this generation in the profession so they can make it all the way to the top, as that will help change things.”
Springboard is leading the way in giving people of all gender and backgrounds the tools and mentoring needed to thrive in hospitality, with its FutureChef competition just one example of how this is being done.
Alongside this competition, the charity has also launched ‘Springboard to 2022’, which is supporting the industry’s recovery from the pandemic. They are ensuring there’s a skilled and engaged talent pipeline ready for the industry with the goal is to have 10,000 young people trained and ready for work by the end of 2022.
Springboard also spearheads CareerScope, the industry support hub to showcase careers in hospitality and support those within it whose jobs have been affected by Covid. It features careers advice, free training, support services and jobs, and is at the heart of our work within schools and campaigns to attract young talent.
Please visit the following websites to find out more about these initiatives:
FutureChef: https://futurechef.uk.net/
CareerScope: https://careerscope.uk.net/
Springboard to 2022: https://springboard.uk.net/support-us/springboard-to-2022/
Springboard Awarded Vital Grant from Hilton Effect Foundation to Train Young People for Jobs in Hospitality Industry
Springboard has been named as a 2021 Grant recipient of the Hilton Effect Foundation. Grants were awarded to organisations across the world for going above and beyond to support those disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and will be used to advance Springboard’s work in helping young and unemployed people to upskill and progress into employment within the hospitality industry. This is the second time Springboard has been awarded a Hilton Effect Foundation Grant, in recognition of their continued efforts, after first receiving one in 2020.
Springboard will use the 2021 Hilton Effect Foundation Grant to deliver essential new employability training programmes, starting in Spring 2022. The programmes will include short courses aimed at inspiring school-leavers to join the industry, and longer courses that will help young, unemployed adults gain the confidence and skills for a career in hospitality.
The course work includes pre-programme preparation in school; sessions on roles within the industry and entry routes; tour of local hotels; presentation from hospitality professionals, including hands-on activities; participation in Customer Care sessions; teambuilding activity; and more. The programmes’ tailored training and support will give participants increased confidence and motivation, transferable and sector-specific skills, and insight into the industry.
The activities will involve beneficiaries aged 16+ from across the UK and Republic of Ireland, with the majority in areas where the need is greatest, including the Midlands and the Republic of Ireland.
Chris Gamm, CEO of Springboard, said: “Over the last year we have worked tirelessly with our partners to provide employers with a pipeline of talent, giving them the space to focus on the current challenge of rebuilding from the Coronavirus pandemic. We are honoured to receive this Grant from the Hilton Effect Foundation to support our work. As we move into 2022, despite challenges our industry has faced, we look forward to continuing our work in attracting more young people to start careers in the hospitality industry. The Grant will allow us to continue to support employers and reach our target of getting 10,000 young people into jobs within the sector.”
Stephen Cassidy, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, UK and Ireland, Hilton, and Board Member, Hilton Effect Foundation said: “We are thrilled to award Springboard with a second Hilton Effect Foundation grant. A hugely deserving recipient, the hospitality charity is using the funds towards an exciting new curriculum to promote hospitality careers in the UK and help unemployed people to access jobs within the sector. With the pandemic still having an enormous impact on our sector, it is vital we inspire people to join our vibrant and diverse industry and support them in their journey. 2022 is set to be a pivotal year for hospitality, so we will be working closely with Springboard to showcase and nurture the fantastic career opportunities available in the industry.”
Springboard was selected from hundreds of organisations that were considered for Hilton Effect Foundation Grants. Each of the 2021 Grantees are committed to having a long-term, meaningful impact on the people and communities they serve, by driving progress on critical environmental or social challenges.
The Hilton Effect Foundation was launched in 2019 as part of Hilton’s 100th anniversary celebration, to further ensure that the Hilton Effect would continue for generations to come. With the mission to create a better world to travel, the Foundation invests in both organisations and people having a positive impact on the communities Hilton serves.
As a long-standing partner of Springboard, Hilton also supports the charity’s FutureChef and Ambassadors programmes. FutureChef is the largest National School Cooking Programme in the UK, educating young people on cookery skills, nutrition, healthy eating and culinary/catering careers.
Springboard’s ambassador scheme gives Hilton employees the opportunity to volunteer within their local community, using their skills and talents to inspire the next generation of hospitality employees.
Shortlist Announced for this year’s Springboard Awards for Excellence
After months of anticipation, the final shortlist for this year’s Springboard Awards for Excellence, in partnership with Smart Group, has been revealed and tickets for the prestigious event are now on sale!
The Springboard Awards for Excellence are an annual celebration of hospitality’s finest individuals and businesses, recognising and rewarding their hard work, innovation and dedication to the industry across sixteen categories.
Some of the biggest names in hospitality, including The Ivy Collection, Raddison Hotel Group and Hawksmoor have been shortlisted for a springboard award for excellence in recognition of their outstanding work developing their talent and promoting the industry last year.
Springboard welcomes guests to be in the room and share the experience with some of the key players within the hospitality industry on Thursday 7th March from 7pm, as we celebrate their achievements.
This year’s event will be held in person and is to taking place at the breath-taking Illuminate venue within the Science Museum. Illuminate is set across two floors and offers panoramic views of London. We are delighted to be holding the event in this exquisite venue.
Chris Gamm, CEO of Springboard said: “We can’t wait to get everybody together in person again to enjoy a big celebration. After the past couple of years, we deserve it! It will be great to network face to face and take some time out to truly appreciate the efforts of the industry
Why not reward your team or clients by treating them to a night out and a delicious meal on this special occasion for the hospitality industry? The evening will offer networking opportunities and, of course, the chance to have fun whilst celebrating the resilience and regrowth of the industry we all love!
Tickets to the awards cost £200 each or £1,900 for a table of 10. You can reserve your tickets/ tables for Thursday 7th April 2022 at The Science Museum via the Springboard website: https://springboard.uk.net/awards
The Final Shortlist
| Ambassador of the Year Catrina Pengelley – The Nerdy Hotelier Florence Alloing – Georgian House Hotel Graham Mitchell – The Newmachar Hotel Michael Taylor – Sodexo Sponsored by BaxterStorey | Best Kickstart Employer Compass Group D&D London Sodexo The Ivy Collection Sponsored by Harri |
| Best Apprenticeship Strategy Compass Group Greene King Home Grown Hotels Mitchells & Butlers Sponsored by HIT Training | Best Education & Industry Partnership Award Galvin at Windows Royal Lancaster London The Grand, Brighton University of Wales, St. Trinity David Sponsored by Sodexo |
| Disability Confident Award Artizan International Hotel Brooklyn Leeds Marriott Hotel Sodexo D&I Team | Career Development Initiative Iconic Luxury Hotels Philema Hospitality Management The Ivy Collection The QHotels Collection Sponsored by Diageo |
| Best Employer Cycas Hospitality Four Seasons Hotel at Park Lane Home Grown Hotels & Lime Wood Group Luxury Family Hotels Sponsored American Express | Best Practice Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Integration Exclusive Collection Hawksmoor Rare Restaurants |
| Best Recruitment Initiative D&D London Mitchells & Butlers Radisson Hotel Group Tom Kerridge Sponsored by Hand Picked Hotels | Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Award Bartlett & Mitchell Be Inclusive Hospitality CIC Hilton London Metropole Hotel Brookyln Sponsored by CH&Co |
| Business Innovation Balmer Lawn Hotel HRH Group Northcote Umbel Restaurant Group Sponsored by 5 Hertford Street | Community Engagement Award Brigade Bar & Kitchen Sea Containers London The Grand, Brighton The Winnock Hotel |
| Fiona Colley Trainee of the Year Award Celebrating those who have completed a Springboard Employability Programme and, in so doing, have overcome challenges which may have prevented them from finding employment. The winner will receive a Career Development scholarship to support them in the next stage of their career or personal development. | The Chris Beaumont Outstanding Contribution Award Celebrating the individual, organisation or partnership that most successfully demonstrates the overall contribution towards achieving Springboard’s aims over the last 12 months. The Springboard team will nominate the recipient of this award, therefore no entries are required. Sponsored by Bidfood |
Springboard announces 2022 Awards for Excellence Shortlist
Springboard and our Headline Sponsor, Smart Group, are excited to announce the shortlist for the Springboard Awards for Excellence this Spring! This year’s event will take place on Thursday 7th April 2022 at Smart Group’s exquisite and award-winning ‘Illuminate’ venue, with panoramic windows that offer stunning views of the city.
We received over 120 submissions, with 16 amazing categories to choose from, over 40 businesses made the shortlist. As always, we wanted to reward those who have shown amazing resilience and innovation, managing to shine over the past year, as the industry rebuilds. So, as well as bringing back award categories such as Best Recruitment Initiative, we introduced some new ones for 2022, including Best Kickstart Employer, Disability Confidence Award and Best Practice Environmental, Social and Governance Integration. Our categories showcase businesses and employees who have gone above and beyond, demonstrating the ability to implement new and successful initiatives to support their employees and communities.
Springboard CEO, Chris Gamm, says: The Springboard Awards for Excellence are about celebrating the businesses and individuals who do a brilliant job championing hospitality, developing our people, attracting talent and supporting Springboard’s mission to futureproof the talent pipeline. Congratulations to the brilliant businesses that made this year’s shortlist and we look forward to celebrating with you on Thursday 7th April, at Illuminate London.
The Final Shortlist
| Ambassador of the Year Catrina Pengelley – The Nerdy Hotelier Florence Alloing – Georgian House Hotel Graham Mitchell – The Newmachar Hotel Michael Taylor – Sodexo Sponsored by BaxterStorey | Best Kickstart Employer Compass Group UK & Ireland D&D London Sodexo The Ivy Collection Sponsored by Harri |
| Best Apprenticeship Strategy Compass Group UK & Ireland Greene King Home Grown Hotels Mitchells & Butlers Sponsored by HIT Training | Best Education & Industry Partnership Award Galvin at Windows Royal Lancaster London The Grand, Brighton University of Wales Trinity Saint David Sponsored by Sodexo |
| Disability Confident Award Artizan International Hotel Brooklyn Leeds Marriott Hotel Sodexo D&I Team | Career Development Initiative Iconic Luxury Hotels Philema Hospitality Management The Ivy Collection The Qhotels Collection Sponsored by Diageo |
| Best Employer Cycas Hospitality Four Seasons Hotel at Park Lane Home Grown Hotels & Lime Wood Group Luxury Family Hotels Sponsored American Express | Best Practice Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Integration Exclusive Collection Hawksmoor Rare Restaurants |
| Best Recruitment Initiative D&D London Mitchells & Butlers Radisson Hotel Group Tom Kerridge Sponsored by Hand Picked Hotels | Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Award Bartlett & Mitchell Be Inclusive Hospitality CIC Hilton London Metropole Hotel Brookyln Sponsored by CH&Co |
| Business Innovation Balmer Lawn Hotel HRH Group Northcote Umbel Restaurant Group Sponsored by 5 Hertford Street | Community Engagement Award Brigade Bar & Kitchen Sea Containers London The Grand, Brighton The Winnock Hotel |
| Fiona Colley Trainee of the Year Award Celebrating those who have completed a Springboard Employability Programme and, in so doing, have overcome challenges which may have prevented them from finding employment. The winner will receive a Career Development scholarship to support them in the next stage of their career or personal development. | The Chris Beaumont Outstanding Contribution Award Celebrating the individual, organisation or partnership that most successfully demonstrates the overall contribution towards achieving Springboard’s aims over the last 12 months. The Springboard team will nominate the recipient of this award, therefore no entries are required. Sponsored by Bidfood |