Hotel Cateys 2011 – Human Resources Manager of the Year

Hotel Cateys 2011 - Human Resources Manager of the Year
Sponsored by Caterer and Hotelkeeper jobs

WINNER: Ros Young, Abode Hotels

Ros Young joined Abode Hotels & Michael Caines Restaurants in 2005 as human resources manager. She is now responsible for the staff at the six hotels within the group, with a new one under development.

Being part of a growing hotel and restaurant brand means that there is plenty of work for Young to oversee. Abode acquired and rebranded four hotels within three years and Young has been involved with developing and introducing the structure for human resources throughout the company.

She has also worked hard to ensure that more than 80% of training at Abode is delivered in-house and has even been involved in developing a bespoke apprenticeship programme for Abode and Michael Caines. A customer service training programme was also introduced in September 2011.

The hard work has paid off, with Abode being voted one of the 20 best employers in hospitality, as well as winning the Small Business Award at the Women 1st Shine Awards.

Since she took up her role as group HR manager there has also not been one year when one of Abode's employees has not won a Caterer and Hotelkeeper Acorn Award. On top of all that, Young still has time to devote to an number of other organisations: she is an active member of the British Hospitality Association (BHA), and has formed an association with the Mustard Tree charity, which aims to improve and rebuild the lives of homeless and marginalised people in Manchester. This partnership involves Abode hosting customer service training for the charity's volunteers, senior managers acting as mentors, and work placements for trainees.

What the judges said:

"Ros is a real professional whose credibility within her business is very impressive. Ros has done a great job building Abode Hotels' employer brand and developing a reputation for being a great employer."
Jon Reed, Operations Director, Learnpurple

"Through her dedication, enthusiasm and innovative approach, Ros Young has set excellent standards of sound HR management within the company. She serves as role model for other HR professionals working in the sector."
Philippe Rossiter, chief executive, Institute of Hospitality

THE JUDGES
Christian Armstrong, people & development director, Guoman & Thistle Hotels
Della Fanning, business excellence manager, the Doyle Collection
Linda Halliday, HR director, Oakman Inns and Restaurants
Rebecca Holt, assistant HR director, Jumeirah Hotels
Liz McGivern, director of human resources and training, Red Carnation Hotels
Jon Reed, operations director, Learnpurple
Philippe Rossiter, chief executive, Institute of Hospitality
Sean Wheeler, area director of human resources, the Dorchester

THE SHORTLIST
Simon Irvin, Bovey Castle
Robert Dunning, London Syon Park, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel
Mike Williams, Malmaison and Hotel du Vin
Ros Young, Abode Hotels

FORMER WINNERS2010 Della Fanning, the Marylebone hotel, London
2009 Liz McGivern, Red Carnation Hotels
2008 Sean Wheeler, Malmaison and Hotel du Vin
2007 Helen Kalyan, Novotel London West