EMPLOYEES from a number of Newcastle-based leisure operator Cairn Group’s hotels have completed a new Leadership Development Programme for management individuals from sites across the UK.
Twelve members in the business have successfully taken on the programme which started in February 2016 and culminated with presentations by the learners and a certificate giving ceremony at Royal Station Hotel Newcastle this June.
Aimed at heads of departments through to operations level staff and delivered by an external training provider, Cairn Group has introduced the programme in order to strengthen, inspire and empower managers.
Speaking at the presentation, Cairn Group HR director Richard Adams, said: “Today has been all about celebrating our new leaders and hearing what they have learnt, how they have and will apply this knowledge, and what impact this already has and will have.
“It is so valuable to put practices like this in place because it means we are carrying through the next generation of managers who will ultimately be the ones responsible for driving Cairn Group forward in the future.
“From head chefs and food and beverage managers to our front of house managers, they will be able to get the most out of their co-workers as a result and grow with the business.”
This first wave marks the start of a unified and proactive approach to developing the teams by bringing those working in different cities, hotels and roles together – organised and delivered centrally.
The multiple brands represented include Mercure, Hotel Indigo and Holiday Inn as well as Cairn Group’s own unbranded hotels, located across the UK in the likes of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Doncaster, Birmingham and London.
Richard added: “The candidates who have come through the programme work within a range of brands as part of the Group and typically may never have met each other. They now have a peer network that they can pick up the phone to for advice which is a really important outcome for them.
“The key is that everyone takes it further and we also roll it out to a second group and so on. The feedback from our employees has been really positive so we’re confident that uptake for the next programme will be popular and that we’ll be able to do it more often.”
Terry McEvoy, deputy manager at Stoke Place Hotel in Buckinghamshire, said: “The nature of the programme meant finding a working balance was easy – taking one day out every month to meet, with some independent activity in between.
“Every session involved looking at certain models such as DISC behavioural assessment, allowing you to understand personalities better, and situational leadership – both of which particularly interested me and were what I chose to base my presentation on. In-between sessions, I was able to incorporate ideas into our processes and share results with peers.
“It’s been fantastic to receive such strong support and encouragement from the company directors and to be given the opportunity to progress in our careers, achieving personal goals along the way. I’ve already referred colleagues at assistant level for the next course.”
For more information on Cairn Group, visit www.cairnhotelgroup.com.