Chris joined Springboard as chief executive in August 2020, with overall responsibility for leading the charity and trading subsidiary. Prior to joining Springboard, Chris spent more than 15 years in print and digital communications, covering everything from fashion and restaurants to retail and the weather. Most recently, he spent just under three years as editor of The Caterer, the hospitality industry’s leading media brand, overseeing the weekly magazine, suite of print and digital products and 35 annual events including flagship event the Cateys.

Kelly has lead Springboard in Scotland, NI, Ireland and North England since 2014. She has a passion for the industry, combined with a natural desire to help people. Prior to working at Springboard, Kelly spent 17 years with Thomas Cook and was one of the Founding Members of the Thomas Cook Children’s Charity. She is a member of the Scottish Tourism Alliance Tourism Skills Group, a Judge for the Scottish Thistle awards, a member of BII Scotland Council and a board member of Apprenticeship in Hospitality Scotland. During her time at Springboard, Kelly has driven remarkable growth and improved the employment prospects of tens of thousands of young, unemployed and disadvantaged adults within hospitality and tourism.

Mandan is a ACCA-qualified professional with over 15 years’ experience in a wide range of sectors, including a large international TV broadcasting organisation, Institutional Shareholder Services, which provides services to asset holders, to her most recent role with National World PLC, which is the third largest local news publisher in the UK. Mandan has formed a large network of relationships across various industries and always pursues a better way through change to improve an organisation.  As Finance Director at Springboard, she manages all aspects of the finance department, working alongside the charity’s senior leadership team and board of trustees. Mandan is proud to be a trusted professional and represent the Springboard Charity, helping support thousands of people across UK into employment in the hospitality industry.

Bryan joined Springboard in February 2020, as Operations Director for London, the South East, South West, Wales and the Midlands. Prior to this, Bryan has over 20 years experience working in the travel sector, in many senior roles within Thomas Cook. He has a highly developed skill set in the fields of Business Development, People Engagement and partnerships, and is highly focused, results-orientated and a target driven individual. Bryan is very passionate about making a difference with individuals and supporting the hospitality sector.

From her first job as a cleaner and glass collector, Inga has worked across the HLT sector for 25+ years, from the licensed trade to event management to tourism destination development. Inga joined Springboard in 2014 after first volunteering as a Springboard Ambassador, then as a freelance trainer. The architect of the first Diageo Learning for Life course in Europe, Inga’s role as National Head of Employability is to develop and lead the delivery of Springboard’s employability and training services, supporting local projects with national frameworks while directly managing national contracts. Inga is also a Trustee of the Scottish Youth Theatre Trust.

With over 10 years experience in the hospitality sector behind her, Amy-Jane joined Springboard in 2019, leading on marketing and events. Amy-Jane has worked both in operational roles and within sales, marketing, PR and events in pubs, bars and restaurant and hotels. Prior to this, Amy-Jane was a qualified project manager, working in regeneration for local government, supporting unemployed people to train, develop employability skills and overcome barriers to employment, which has given her a great background in the understanding of Springboard’s objectives. She wanted to help people by working for a charity, whilst continuing to advocate for the hospitality industry and its people.

James has over 25 years’ experience of fundraising within the charity sector, working across a broad range of communities and themes, including unemployment, education, health and wellbeing, equalities and inclusion. James oversees the funding team at Springboard, with a specific focus on developing long-term partnerships and raising funds through grant giving Trusts, Foundations and Public Funding opportunities.

Amanda has been with Springboard for 21 years and has extensive experience bringing together industry, schools and colleges across the UK. Amanda shapes our innovative and inspiring, industry-focused resources to help teachers deliver curriculum aligned learning in the classroom. She manages Springboard’s highly successful and valued flagship Programme – FutureChef, offering schools a highly respected education support programme.

Bhavna joined Springboard in September 2020 with a wealth of knowledge from leading Hotel Groups such as The Dorchester, Hilton, Radisson, Accor, IHG and many more. Bhavna was keen to work for a charity to help people and is now very proud to be part of Springboard, a charity that represents the industry she has loved and grown her career in. She started her career in hospitality with a busy Heathrow Hotel as a Front Office Team Member and developed into Senior roles ranging from Reservations, Event Management and Sales.  Bhavna is passionate about the hospitality industry and extremely excited to support Springboard’s strong vision, mission, and values.

“With over a decade of experience in Hospitality management and consultancy, Ted started with Springboard as a Trainer in early 2018, having previously been an ambassador volunteer, working with the Employability team to deliver Qualifications and Practical Skills training to those the Charity supports. When Springboard defined its response to the combined effects of Brexit and the Covid-19 Pandemic, Ted’s background in hospitality Project Management lead to him leading on the Springboard to 2022 project to futureproof the talent pipeline for the industry. With that project nearing completion, Ted has moved into a new position as the Head of Digital Development to oversee the variety of online assets that the Charity relies upon to complete its mission, and to develop and implement the strategy for our digital services going forwards.”