Springboard's Awards for Excellence celebrate what a great place the hospitality industry is to work. The 2009 awards, which were held at the InterContinental hotel in London's Park Lane, saw Shane King of Restaurant Associates win the Ambassador Award, sponsored by Hit Training.
Who is the award for?
The award is given to the most outstanding registered Springboard Ambassador whose enthusiasm, motivation and passion for the industry is used to inspire and influence potential recruits and change their perceptions about a career in the industry.
Why did the judges choose King?
King impressed the judges with his dedication to his Springboard ambassadorial role. He regularly visits schools to talk about his career, mentors chefs, attends career days, runs cookery courses and does demonstrations for children and parents. His personal statement grabbed the judges' attention, saying: "Growing up there was no one to help me into cooking, either at school or home. So for the last 20 years I've tried to address this through my passion, enthusiasm and dedication for the industry, sharing my knowledge and experiences."
Why are the awards important?
Anne Pierce, Springboard chief executive, commented: "The Springboard Awards for Excellence truly celebrate achievement in the industry. The outstanding people in our businesses, the teams that drive our strategies forward, the individuals who delight customers daily, and the companies that champion innovation and progression all make the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism industry thrive."
John Hyde, managing director of awards sponsor Hit Training, said: "Inspirational people like Shane can change lives and attitudes through passion. Springboard Ambassadors, through their firm belief in the hospitality industry, really do, by inspiration and example, help bring talented people to the industry."
How do I find out more?
For more about Springboard and its Into Work programmes, helping people into the tourism and hospitality industry, visit www.springboarduk.net or call 0207 497 8654.