Four Pillars Hotels is a group of five friendly and welcoming properties, located from the heart of the Thames Valley to the Cotswolds, between the M4, M40 and M5.   We pride ourselves on the fact that our hotels offer guests all the comforts of home, away from home.   That’s why our regulars come back to see us – again and again.

Typical to the industry, our mid-week business focuses mainly on business and conference clientele and at weekends we are a popular choice for weekend breaks and functions business.   All but one of our properties boasts four stars and a superb new four star hotel is currently under construction in the Cotswold Water Park – due for completion in Spring 2007.   This will obviously create career opportunities, not only for our existing staff but also for new team members.

A culture of care
The group is passionate in its belief that happy staff result in happy customers.   In fact, this is summed up in a nutshell in our Vision:

“To build the scope and reputation of Four Pillars Hotels
by creating environments where guests and staff feel at home.”

Four Pillars has been Investors in People accredited since 1996 and our development culture means that everyone has the chance of a career if they really want one.   We operate a Mentoring Scheme and every member of staff undergoes regular Appraisals and Reviews to monitor their progress and discuss career progression.

One of our most successful initiatives is our Buddy Scheme.   Every new employee is paired up with a Buddy from their department, to help them find their feet during the first few weeks in their new job.

Good quality Staff Accommodation is provided for staff at all our hotels and a lively, buzzing social life is enjoyed by live-in staff outside working hours!   This even extends between hotels, where events such as our annual ‘It’s a Knockout’ competition are attended by teams from all hotels in the area.

Other incentives include our Thank You Cheque scheme, which provides on the spot rewards for those who, in management’s opinion, have gone that extra mile to serve a customer or solve a problem.   Then there are our Long Service Awards and you’ll see plenty of our team members sporting the special badges – our staff stay with us!

Management Development
Four Pillars also runs a successful Management Development s for both existing team members and new appointees.   Some members have college qualifications, but we certainly don’t rule out applicants who have tried another career, and are really committed to a career in hospitality.  Every member is put through a thorough training programme, gaining experience working in different departments and at different hotels.

We are renowned for being such a friendly and caring group to work for that our trainees typically stay with us. Many have prospered and risen to senior positions within the Group.   One of our success stories, Emma Gillings, became General Manager of our Abingdon hotel only 6 years after joining the company (with no previous experience???).

Career development
We respect our team’s needs and understand that different experiences and environments are important for career development.   Therefore, we offer our staff the opportunity to move around our five Four Pillars hotels to progress their careers.   This also helps to create a feeling of belonging - to the Group, rather than just one hotel.

Staff incentives
Our Four Pillars People Plan includes a wide range of motivational initiatives, which have helped us over the years to retain our employees.   Team initiatives include our annual Night of Stars Awards, which reward both staff and management - from back and front of house, which is linked to each hotel’s bi-monthly Hotel Stars scheme.

What do our team members say about the Group?  
Here are some responses from winners of our Night of Stars Awards 2004, when asked the question:  “Which one thing do you like most about the company?”

“That you, as an employee, are treated as a person, not just a number.”
 Andy Evans-Smith, Winner - Head of Department, Front of House
 
“Opportunities.  Everyone has a chance.”
 Dean Foster, Winner - Management Team Member of the Year

“I like its focus on caring for staff, as well as the rest of the business.”
 Neil Tindall, Winner - Head of Department, Food and Beverage

“I like the fact that you get to know other staff from the other hotels, because of the size of the company.”
 Rob Gardner, Winner - Employee of the Year, Front of House

You’ve seen what our staff say, so why not contact us and come and have a chat about joining the Four Pillars Team?   We promise to reply to every application – within 48 hours of receipt.   For more information, visit our website at www.four-pillars.co.uk