The SAVOY SOCIETY STUDENT MENTORING SCHEME
CELEBRATES A SUCCESSFUL FIRST YEAR
In the face of a looming management skills shortage triggered by worrying drop-out rates in higher education, the cream of the hospitality industry decided to take matters into their own hands.
They set up their own mentoring scheme.Now a year on, The Savoy Society Mentoring Scheme has celebrated its first Alumni Dinner at Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair, toasting the fifteen hospitality management students from some of the UK’s top hospitality-centred colleges and universities who form the scheme’s initial clutch of mentees.
The evening also struck a note of gratitude towards the fifteen Savoy Society members who have pledged up to two years’ commitment to act as mentors. Each mentee has been paired with a mentor following a highly competitive process of interviews and written assignments. Mentors will provide the invaluable guidance, influence and access to networks that can inspire promising talent to stay the course, complete their degrees and join the industry.
To help ensure the scheme’s success, The Savoy Society chose Springboard UK to co-ordinate the programme, banking on its profile and track record for encouraging new entrants to the industry.
In his welcome speech, Stuart Johnson, General Manager of Brown’s and Chairman of the Savoy Society mentoring Scheme, said ‘The first year of our mentoring scheme has proved an even greater success than we hoped for. We now have a firm foundation for an initiative to support tomorrow’s managers, and we expect it to grow from strength to strength.
’Petrina Johnson, a mentee from Sheffield Hallam University, said, ‘Having won a place on this valuable mentoring scheme has already benefited me in many ways. Just having that guidance, advice and support gives me a lot of personal encouragement, making me want to aim higher in my career.’James Matthews, a mentee from the University of Surrey, said, ‘One quote sums up this fantastic scheme for me – “To become the best, learn from the best”. More than an advisor, my mentor has been like a father figure to me.’
Dee Smith, Springboard’s touch point for the scheme, said, ‘Enabling career progression and development is a central focus of The Springboard Charity’s work and The Savoy Society Mentoring Scheme complements our aims and ethos well. It’s a privilege to work closely with such a prestigious industry organisation.
Also present at the champagne reception and dinner were the sponsors of the scheme, including Lynn Murray of Louis Jadot, David Punter of Casna Limited,, Nick Scade of the Lord Forte Foundation, Mark Norris of Profile and Sally Atkinson of Atkinson Executive.
For more information, contact Dee Smith at Springboard on dees@springboarduk.org.uk.
Notes: The Savoy Society Mentoring Scheme
1.The Savoy Society Mentoring Scheme was launched in 2009, the brainchild of Stuart Johnson, General Manager of Brown’s Hotel and the youngest ever Hotel Manager of The Savoy. The scheme offers long term mentoring support to students at University studying toward their Hospitality Management degree programmes from members of The Savoy Society. It is built on the belief that if the student is studying towards and aiming for a successful career in the industry, being mentored will enhance his or her chances of success now and into the future through the guidance, expertise and contacts that a member of The Savoy Society can provide.
2. The higher-education institutions currently taking part in the scheme are: Bournemouth University, Shannon College of Hotel Management, Sheffield Hallam University, University College Birmingham, University of Surrey and Westminster Kingsway College.
3. Mentors include senior managers and executives from Bibury Court, The Goring, The Queensberry Hotel, Crown Plaza London, Fawsley Hall, Marriott, Pennyhill Park Hotel and Spa, Boodle’s, Hyatt regency London – The Churchill, Brown’s, The Traveller’s Club, Hospitality Training and Judges Country House Hotel.
