Member Article

Hotel group celebrates first graduates from 'Thrive' leadership academy

A boutique hotel group in the UK has celebrated its first graduates from a training academy designed to broaden staff experiences and combat national skills shortages in the sector.

The Eden Hotel Collection’s Thrive academy launched last September and has delivered a series of training, projects and mentorships to staff at its hotels through a 12-month course.

As well as investing in staff development and providing pathways to progression, the academy responds to national skills shortages in the hospitality sector and aims to develop the next generation of leaders within the industry.

The course included face-to-face workshops on leadership and management, financial management, people engagement and motivation, marketing, health and safety and sustainability; as well a final project and mentorship from senior figures within Eden.

Staff in the academy’s inaugural year were celebrated at a graduation ceremony held at The Greenway Hotel and Spa, in Shurdington, Cheltenham.

Among those who graduated was Brockencote Hall Hotel Sous Chef Dane Glover, whose final project – which proposed a new two-course concept of afternoon teas at Brockencote Hall – is now set to be brought to life when the hotel launches his offer to customers in 2024.

Lisa Redding, Group People Director, who was among the mentorship team, said: “The first year has been a tremendous success with positive feedback on how it has helped to build skills, confidence and leadership qualities which can be applied in their day-to-day work.

“It has been equally positive for us to see some of the ideas brought to the table and the enthusiasm for developing their knowledge in areas of the business which they have not typically been involved in before, helping them to deliver a more rounded customer-focused approach.

“We look forward to continuing the development of our graduates through regular seminars and welcoming the next cohort in November.”

Mark Chambers, Group Managing Director, who was also part of the mentorship team, added: “We know we have some exceptional talent within our hotels and Thrive is all about realising their potential through opportunities for growth and career development.

“The sector still faces national recruitment challenges with recent figures from the Office for National Statistics showing vacancies remain significantly above pre-pandemic levels, which makes opportunities such as Thrive so vital for us in attracting and retaining staff, whilst developing talent from within.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .