Springboard winners announced

BaxterStorey’s Linda Halliday was the big winner at last night’s Springboard Awards for Excellence, picking up the Chris Beaumont award for outstanding contribution.

Halliday, who is HR and training director at the contract caterer, was recognised for eight years of generous support to the industry charity. She has given up much of her free time and was instrumental in securing vital funding to secure Springboard’s future.

Other winners on the night included Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill, which picked up the Best Employer Award for Hospitality and Leisure; Holiday Inn in Kensington, London which scooped the Diversity in Employment Award; and Compass Group, which won both the Best Regional Initiative and the Retention Awards.

Anne Pierce, Springboard chief executive, said: “At a time when business is beginning to get really tough, we believe that recognising achievement is critical to motivation and morale. 

“Without doubt, the enthusiasm, excitement and commitment demonstrated by our award winners set a wonderful example for others in the industry to follow.”

The awards were held at the Guoman Tower hotel in London.

Full list of winners:

Springboard Ambassador Of The Year, sponsored by Hit Training
Katie O’Sullivan, Sapporo Teppanyaki Ltd & Il Forno Ltd

Best Regional Initiative, sponsored by Cadbury
Compass Group UK and Ireland – Fraserburgh Academy

Web Award, sponsored by DRP Group
Online Travel Training

Education Award – Large, sponsored by Institute of Hospitality
Cala Coral Group

Education Innovation Award – Small, sponsored by City & Guilds
Chefs Adopt a School

Young People Award, sponsored by American Express
Chefs School & Reception School at Folio Hotels

Best Student Placement Award, sponsored by Inspire
Starwood Hotels

Best Initiative to Attract People into Management Award, sponsored by Edexcel
Firmdale Hotels

Diversity in Employment Award, sponsored by Jobcentre Plus
InterContinental Hotels Group Holiday Inn Kensington

Best Initiative to Attract Chefs Award, sponsored by Handpicked
IHG c/o Holiday Inn Coventry

Best Employer Award Hospitality & Leisure, sponsored by Investors in People UK
Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill

Best Employer Travel & Tourism Award, sponsored by ABTA
The Co-operative Travel

Career Progression Award, sponsored by VT Plus Training
West Cluster, Marriott Team

Retention Award, sponsored by BSG
Compass Group

Best Recruitment Hospitality & Leisure, sponsored by caterer.com
Paul UK

Corporate Citizen Award, sponsored by BII
Sodexo

The Chris Beaumont Award, sponsored by 3663
Linda Halliday, BaxterStorey

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By Daniel Thomas

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