The Springboard Awards for Excellence were presented at a glittering ceremony at the Brewery on Chiswell Street, London, on Monday 1 November. The awards showcase outstanding industry practice in attracting and retaining people. Springboard is delighted to have the opportunity to reward all the winners for their active participation in driving the Hospitality, Leisure, Travel and Tourism industries forward.
1. Springboard Special AwardSponsored by Hand Picked Hotels
Winner: Brian Turner
The judges said: "Brian is an inspirational role model, who appeals to talent of all ages and gives freely of his time to the industry. His enthusiasm and support for Springboard is boundless. He has spearheaded FutureChef since its inception, inspiring many young people to take part, and he supports fundraising year after year."
2. Recruitment Award for Travel & Tourism
Sponsored by Travel Weekly
Winner: Thomas Cook
The judges said: "Thomas Cook demonstrated innovation and creativity with its 'You'll Go Far' strategy, which aimed at creating a diverse and flexible workforce to better match their customer profile. The company targeted new recruits, providing a 12-month development programme with flexible assessment.
3. Recruitment Award for Hospitality & Leisure
Sponsored by Caterer & Hotelkeeper
Winner: The Glasgow Hoteliers Personnel and Training Forum
The judges said: "An excellent example of partnership in action to tackle a common problem. Nine hotel groups in Glasgow, JobCentre Plus, Career Scotland, Remploy and Springboard Scotland joined together to create a Hospitality Glasgow training programme to provide exposure of the breadth of jobs available."
4. Retention Award
Sponsored by Caterer.com
Winner: Four Seasons Hotel Canary Wharf
The judges said: "The Four Seasons introduced direct line meetings for all staff with the general manager, revised and improved their appraisal system, introduced a 12-week development programme for newly-promoted supervisors, and a 'Next Step' mentoring programme for staff with the potential to become managers."
5. Best Career Progression Award
Sponsored by VT Plus Training
Winner: Greene King Pub Company
Highly commended: Beardmore Hotel at Clydebank, Glasgow
The judges said: "The company delivered across-the-board training programmes and apprenticeships, and attracted managers from outside the industry. The initiative reduced turnover by 10% and customer complaints by 15%. Within the fast-track managers' programme there was a 16% reduction of managers leaving within their first six months."
6. Best Employer Award for Travel & Tourism
Sponsored by ABTA
Winner: VisitScotland
The judges said: "A comprehensive HR programme was introduced, focusing on recruiting champions of VisitScotland and providing more interesting roles and a better work/life balance."
7. Best Employer Award for Hospitality & Leisure
Sponsored by the British Hospitality Association
Winner: TLH Leisure Resort, Torbay, Devon
Highly commended: Novotel London West
The judges said: "TLH Leisure Resort took a long-term approach to recruitment and retention. They set out to create a happier and more stable workforce, and to improve customer satisfaction."
8. Diversity in Employment Award
Sponsored by Jobcentre Plus
Winner: Hilton Southampton
Highly commended: Weavers Restaurant Trust, Bethnal Green
The judges said: "The Hilton Southampton demonstrated diversity by developing a training plan to meet the needs of recruits who had a disability. Working with Remploy, Red Lodge School, and City Limits, the Hilton devised its training programme and then set about giving all staff Disability Training."
9. Best Student Placement Provider (small organisation)
Sponsored by The Authentic Food Company
Winner: Baxtersmith
The judges said: "Baxtersmith set out to recruit more staff through university student placements to meet a specific business need. Students were exposed to all potential career options in the company and a 100% employment rate resulted. They demonstrated a good balance between meeting a business need and meeting the individual's skills and development needs."
10. Best Student Placement Provider (large organisation)
Sponsored by Angel Human Resources
Winner: Gala Group
The judges said: "Driven by a need to recruit management staff, the Gala Group recognised that it was not the first choice career option for many recruits. The company focused on student placement and building confidence, leadership and motivation, coupled with skills development in an environment that was supportive, created a nicely rounded student package."
11. The Young People Award
Sponsored by American Express
Winner: The Cumbria Tourist Board
Highly commended: Haringay Education Business Partnership, Compass Group
The judges said: "Faced with shortages and the effects of foot and mouth, the Cumbria Tourist Board put together a package to encourage, develop and retain local talent. The initiative was a great partnership of companies and organisations nurturing home-grown talent. In an area that contains many small businesses it provided a successful solution to the shortage of chefs."
12. Education AwardSponsored by the HCIMA
Winner: Inverness Hotels Association
The judges said: "The IHA has made a comprehensive effort to open students' eyes to the career possibilities on offer in the industry in an innovative and interesting way and had developed promising links with local colleges and schools."
13. Web Award
Sponsored by P&G Professional
Winner: Gleneagles hotel
The judges said: "Gleneagles looked to the web to enhance and support its recruitment drive. Through its website, Gleneagles has revolutionised its recruitment practices."
14. Best Regional Initiative category for its involvement in the Hoxton Apprentice restaurant scheme
Sponsored by Pierce Design International
Winner: Compass Group's Hoxton Apprentice restaurant scheme.
Highly recommended: The Cumbria Tourist Board
The judges said: "Compass looked to enhance its reputation as a 'good citizen' and attract talented individuals through an innovative recruitment stream. The Hoxton Apprentice was set up in conjunction with the charity 'Training for Life', Whitbread Plc and several agencies and government bodies as a 'training restaurant' concept that would operate commercially but also provide skills and employability training for the long term unemployed and socially excluded candidates."
15. Springboard Ambassador's Award
Sponsored by the Hotel Employers Group
Winner: Arthur Callaghan, head chef at the Novotel Birmingham Centre
The judges said: "Arthur consistently trains and assists in the development of his staff, caring for them and supporting them in their career, aiming to replace the stereotypical industry image with one of fun, fairness and teamwork. At Hall Green Infant School, where he talked to the children during Health Week, the kids described him as 'a real cool man'. What better accolade!"