The Industry turns out in force for the Springboard Awards
Monday night saw a lively start to the week, when 600 stars from the world of hospitality descended on the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London to recognise one another's hard work in Springboards Annual Awards for Excellence 2011. The glamorous ceremony played host to some wonderful food, energetic entertainment from contemporary violinist Jane Cho and of course, the presentation of 18 awards across 3 categories to our deserved winners (please scroll down for full commentary of the night).
The 2011 awards will be a night to remember for winners, shortlisted candidates and guests alike, and for those that over indulged, photos can be brought HERE to help jog your memory.
Call for entires into the 2012 awards will open soon, so if you feel you deserve some recognition or you would like to find out how you can get involved as a sponsor or supplier please email info@springboarduk.org.uk
The 2011 Springboard Awards for Excellence saw Bartlett Mitchell walk away with two of the top honours for New Media and Best Employer. Judges liked their use of social media and the quality of their initiatives in workforce demographics.
Starwood Hotels, Central London, had delivered a responsive and revolutionary approach to help people develop which in turn helped them secure the People Innovation Award. Whilst the Langstone Hotel showed huge foresight and trust as they let students run their hotel for a day! Not surprisingly the Langstone carried off the Young People Award.
It was also good to see Pubs and Bars being recognised for their endeavours with Charles Wells Pub Company going all out to reduce churn in their establishments through a variety of approaches and they weren’t to be denied in scooping the Best Recruitment Initiative.
Elaine Bowers, The Lowry, was the emotional recipient of the Ambassadors Award for her dedicated and committed approach to spreading the word about a career in hospitality, with the Best Career
Progression Award causing the judges no end of headaches as they just couldn’t split The Cavendish London and SSP. Both were delighted to be joint winners.
The Best Chef Strategy accolade is always one of the most hotly contested areas and this year it was Hilton Worldwide who walked away with the top honours for their advanced learning programmes and study trips.
Crieff Hydro Ltd had been a past winner but stepped up to the plate again to wrestle away the Best Management Strategy for a unique two-way process of maximising the individual’s potential within the business and the fun packed night was also successful for The Clink Charity who really impressed the judging panel with their creativity outside their normal theatre of operations to such an extent that there could only be one winner in the Diversity in Employment category.
In the hotly contested area for the Education Pipeline Award it was Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa that got top marks for clever use of partner organisations that helped young people get nurtured, grown and retained in the business.
Regional differences are always apparent when judging these awards and the businesses that adapt and flourish in a regional setting often throw up innovative and enterprising schemes to help them prosper. So it was with Hilton in the Community Foundations winning entry in the Best Regional Initiative which used great autonomy within their global brand to help solve community issues that won.
The Best Student Placement Provider was the property of Park Plaza County Hall whose dedicated approach to the development of young people was lauded by the judges, with Ed’s Easy Diner pocketing the Best Food and Beverage Strategy for their extended offer and value for money.
Turnover and the ability to slow it down is always high on the corporate agenda and it was The Orchid Group who got this exactly right with their sterling work on retention rates to collect the Retention Award.
Elior UK ticked every box as they lifted the Corporate Responsibility Award combining every aspect of working with schools, colleges and universities to create a unique initiative.
The very special Chris Beaumont Award was awarded to Heiko Figge FIH, Gouman & Thistle Hotels for the outstanding contribution, leadership and vision he has given to support the work of The Springboard Charity.
In a one off award to celebrate Springboard’s 21 years, The Springboard Chairman’s 21st Anniversary Award went to Danny Pecorelli and The Team at Exclusive Hotels
The Springboard Awards for Excellence ceremony held
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Now in their 9th year, the Springboard Awards for Excellence celebrate and reward inspiring people, organisations and initiatives - those that work hard to elevate the profile of the hospitality industry as an employer and attract and retain talent.
