Springboard awards for excellence announced

The Springboard Awards for Excellence were announced at the new Emirates Stadium at a gala dinner with the cream of the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism industries in attendance to applaud the successes.

The annual Springboard Awards for Excellence are now in their fourth year and recognise outstanding practice by companies and individuals in addressing one of the Hospitality, Leisure, Travel and Tourism industryís most significant issues ñ attracting and retaining people. Each winning entry had to meet the award criteria of a clear strategy, address the specific need of their initiative, show clear aims and outcomes and provide proof of innovation, achievement, evaluation and use of partnerships.

The Royal Lancaster Hotel, London won the prestigious Chris Beaumont Award. Sponsored by 3663, the award is given in recognition of an individual, organization or partnership that has demonstrated the most outstanding overall contribution towards achieving Springboardís aims over the last 12 months. The award was renamed last year in honour of the massive contribution Chris made to Springboard before he sadly passed away. When Springboard was set up as a London-based organisation in 1990, Chris was seconded from Trust House Forte and as its first MD brought the charity to prominence. He later returned to industry, but remained on the Board of Trustees, and was a supportive, influential, and very involved guardian of the innovative and memorable approach to promoting careers that he established at Springboard.

The Chris Beaumont Award encompasses the philosophy and ethos of what Springboard is about in its quest for excellence in the hospitality industry, commented Andy Kemp, Group Sales Director, 3663 First For Foodservice 3663, like many companies recognise and applaud major players who dedicate time and their resources to the improvement of our industry and itís on this basis that we are very proud to see this award go to the Royal Lancaster Hotel for all of the work they have done as ambassadors spreading the word and utilising Springboard through both its training, development and recruiting ethos.

In presenting the award, Anne Pierce, Chief Executive of Springboard, commented, ìThe Royal Lancaster hotel has been a huge support for Springboard over the last year, including taking part in FutureChef, Buddy Day and holding taster days for potential recruits.î

ìWhenever we have asked for assistance the Royal Lancaster has been ready to do all it can to promote the industry to as wide an audience as possible, and has given fantastic support to Springboardís London team.î