The third year of Housekeeper Olympics at Malmaison and Hotel du Vin has seen the semi finals being carried out and the finalists who will be competing in Birmingham on the 21^st September have been announced:

 Northern Semi Final 17^th August 2010:

Edinburgh Malmaison

Newcastle Malmaison

Belfast Malmaison

Newcastle Hotel du Vin highest runner up

Aberdeen Malmaison - highest runner up

Southern Semi Final 24^th August 2010:

Brighton Hotel du Vin  

Birmingham Malmaison

Poole Hotel du Vin

Cambridge Hotel du Vin – highest runner up

A special announcement also came to Leeds Malmaison who also received a place in the final in the tenth place chosen from all of the remaning semi finalists by achieving the highest runner up score of the 18 hotels who did not reach the final.

Kerry Mabbley, Customer Relationship Manger at Springboard attended the event and said:

‘The Housekeeper Olympics are a fantastic way of demonstrating the product knowledge, team work, spirit and passion that is needed to work in this area of a hotel.  All of the teams across the two semi finals demonstrated this and all are worthy winners in their own rights.  Good luck to all of the finalist for the 21^st September!’

And finally a word from Mike Williams, People and Development Director at Malmaison and Hotel du Vin:

‘We now have our finalists ready to compete in the housekeeping Olympics.  Having been rigorously tested on their attention to detail, guest interaction, security and team working skills the ten finalists are now raring to go.

Our judges were impressed with the passion and spirit demonstrated by all the teams present and they have shown themselves to be true housekeeping professionals!’

hotcatUK is the fastest growing proffessional network for people working in hotels and catering and those considering a career within the industry. They met with Springboard's Sam Coulstock about his role at Springboard....

hcUK:  Welcome to the hot seat, what is your current role at Springboard?

SC:  Thank you for asking me, this is scary – it’s like being on news night. I have two roles at Springboard, looking after our business partners and all our careers services, so I am Customer Relationship Director and Careers Director.

hcUK:  So day to day, what does this involve?

SC:  No two days are ever the same in my role, which makes my job one of the best in the industry. I normally have lots of meetings with different sorts of people, my team, other Directors, CEO or Finance at Springboard, plus also lots of external meetings with business partners, sponsors or other bodies and organisations. I also attend lots of events and activities so my day can go from one extreme to the other.

Tomorrow is a good example - I have two meetings in the morning with current partners, back at the office to carry out induction with two new ‘Springboarders’, then another partner meeting and finally meeting with our Education Director to plan out what we are doing for Skills London in October - busy!!

hcUK:  That is busy!  So how do you get your ideas?

SC:  I have moments that are very random - in the bath or middle of night stuff... Not sure where I get ideas from, mostly from talking with people then something will ping in my head.  I also look at what the industry is up too and then think - could we do that at Springboard, would it work??

To read the full interview, go to http://www.hotcatuk.com/forum/topics/hotcatuk-meetssam-coulstock

To contact Sam, click here

Philippe Leroy, Recruitment Manager at BaxterStorey and Virgin London Marathon runner, has raised an impressive £1,051 so far for CHASE charity.

CHASE supports children and teenagers with life-limiting or significant life-threatening conditions.

With a time of 4 hours 27 minutes - not forgetting 40 seconds - Philippe bettered his PB achieved three years ago by 18 minutes! The best bits? The crowds en route and seeing family and friends plus the last mile.

The worst bits? The downpour at the start just as he was applying sun’s cream, hitting the wall at mile 16 plus the last mile!

Well done, Philippe - fantastic effort for a fantastic cause!

Springboard is delighted to invite you to this unique opportunity to attend a stimulating conference focused on the future of housekeeping, its staffing, its changing image and the need to attract more home-grown talent into the profession..

The conference – the first of its kind - is designed for the benefit of General Managers, Human Resource Managers, Housekeeping & Accommodation Managers.

14 June at The Midland Hotel - Manchester

1 July at The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh, Scotland

Each event is just £40 (plus VAT) including conference, lunch and refreshments.

Take part in the conference that will help shape the future of the sector.
Please register today as places are limited.

http://www.roomtochange.springboarduk.net/

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.

Andrew Aston, Executive Chef UK & Ireland, Compass Group UK Ltd
Winner of the Chef Award

The Cost Sector Catering Awards are the pivotal event in the catering industry's calendar recognising the hard work, commitment and dedication of those involved.

Andrew Aston began his career as a trainee chef in 1991 at Gardner Merchant and gained experience at the Four Seasons Hotel in Marylebone, the Civil Aviation Authority and GEC Marconi before his success led him to Compass in 1999 at the newly-opened Millennium Dome, providing a 24-hour catering service for 4500 building staff.

He moved to Goldman Sachs, the first dining contract for the new Restaurant Associates, and flourishing in the challenge, was soon promoted to head chef with a 32-strong brigade with a £2.7m annual turnover.

In 2003 he was promoted to a new role of development and implementation chef developing initiatives such as the Guest Chef Programme.

Andrew has worked closely with the Compass Junior Chef's Academy; has been involved with the Richard House Children's Hospice and the London Advisory Board raising funds for Springboard and gaining the Chris Beaumont Award for Excellence. He is described as "extremely loyal, committed and a valued member of the Compass culinary team".

Springboard is part of the 'Backing Young Britain' campaign, and will be supporting over 400 young people from across the UK with training and work placements that will provide them with the necessary skills to secure employment in the Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism Industry in London.

These training programmes are being delivered between January 2010 and March 2011 and Springboard will be delivering sector specific pre-employment training to young people aged between 18-24 years. Our programme is so successful it has recently been described as "Best Performing" by Central London Job Centre Plus.

The aim of this programme is to offer the specialist support required to move these young people into a rewarding work placement or a Six Month Employment part funded by The Springboard Chairty within the hospitality, leisure and tourism industry.

How Can You Get Involved with Backing Young Britain?

You can show you support for Springboard and Young Britain in the following ways:

Providing structured work placements for enthusiastic young people who are keen to experience the world of Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism

Offering an employment opportunity with no salary costs to you for 6 months

To find out more, please email or call your Springboard Customer Relationship Manager www.partners.springboarduk.net/meet-the-team/

or email Steve Wood on: stevew@springboarduk.org.uk

Work experience in a relevant industry sector is a key element of the Hospitality Diploma and in early March, four Hospitality Diploma students from George Green’s School, Tower Hamlets, went out on their two- week placements  with BaxterStorey, the in-house contract caterer at BlackRock, the global investment management company based in the City.

General manager, Christina Clegg, who took charge of the students during their fortnight was keen they should see all sides of the business. “I wanted the students to experience a range of jobs during their two weeks. I’ve told them that this is a profession where, once you have the basic tools of the trade, you can work anywhere in the world and transfer their skills to different industries.”

One student, Olamide Salau, has made such a good impression that she has been offered the chance to return during the summer for a paid work placement. “She was a bit quiet the first day or two but as soon as we put her on the deli service, it was like seeing a different person,” says Christina. “She has picked it up very quickly, she is good with customers and my staff love her.”

“I’ve been making lunches, dealing with customers, helping out and I love it. I don’t want to leave,” said a smiling Olamide. Fellow student, Amina Mohammed said "this was best experience of my life so far". Gemma Hornsey said, "Working in a real kitchen with real chefs was brilliant and I have no doubts now that want to be a chef!” Maria Mills commented, "If this is what work is like, I can't wait to leave college!"

An unqualified success! Great work experience that motivates the students to a career in the industry. Christina has some potential BaxterStorey recruits on her books!

THE BROOKWOOD PARTNERSHIP RECOGNISED IN THE   SUNDAY TIMES 100 BEST COMPANIES
TO WORK FOR 2010
SO GOOD THEY WON IT TWICE!

The Brookwood Partnership has been recognised by The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies To Work For 2010, the only food and service management company to have been listed.

Brookwood achieved 54th position in the list, which is up from 81st in their 2008 award. They believe this reflects the work they have invested on employee communication, especially with the introduction of Brookwood TV.
Brookwood was 24th in the category of wellbeing for all companies listed. Employees felt they were not stressed or under pressure. They also felt they had a good balance between their work and home life and that this had a positive effect on their health and performance.

Top marks were also achieved in relation to team spirit, having fun at work and feeling a sense of belonging to Brookwood. In turn, employees feel that, within their job, they can make a difference to the organisation. Employees take value and pride in working for Brookwood.

Brookwood scored very well within the leadership category, displaying that employees felt positively towards the Managing Partners, senior management and felt very positively towards the values and philosophies of Brookwood.
Brookwood ranked within the top 33 companies in the country in relation to management. Employees reported feeling supported, trusted and cared for by their immediate manager.

Very well done Brookwood!

To learn more about The Brookwood Partnership, click on their logo above.

Brookwood TV can be viewed on
http://www.brookwood-ptnrs.co.uk/

Well, despite the wind and the rain on Sunday, 28 February, Elior UK’s Team Leggit (Ruth Rigden, Gemma Hodson, Joanne Still, Tracey Fairclough, Jas Banwait, Andy Wood, Jonathan Bradford) put in a stonking performance to complete the Hotelympia 10k in fine form.

Strained ligaments and blisters aside, the team can proudly say that by the end of 28th February they had all finished!

A massive thank you to those of you that helped the Elior team raise a huge £1,038.01 to date for the Springboard, this year’s Elior charity.