A total of 800 guests filled Wembley Stadium as the hospitality industry gathered to support and commemorate all of the charity’s achievements over the last 25 years.
Funds came pouring in as over £100,000 was raised for The Springboard Charity to support existing ‘Into Work’ programmes as well as investing in new ones in order to support anyone of any age into a sustainable career within the hospitality, leisure and tourism industry.
The event was filled with entertainment along with cuisine from Mark Reynolds of Delaware North and Springboard’s FutureChef Alumni. Success stories were shared from Springboard beneficiaries, as well as milestones in Delaware North’s rich 100 year history.
Anne Pierce MBE, chief executive, Springboard, commented: “In 1990, when Springboard opened its doors at 3 Denmark Place, who would have known that 25 years down the line we would be here commemorating this Silver Anniversary milestone.”
She continued: “All of Springboard’s activities make a difference—to young people, to unemployment, to poverty, to industry, and to business. The world may have changed a great deal since 1990, but Springboard’s underlying goal remains exactly the same: to promote the hospitality industry and to get people into jobs. The next 25 years will likely bring many more changes to the world, and to the ways in which the organisation operates, but Springboard will hopefully continue to reach many more achievements, and to make a difference.”
Doug Tetley, managing director, Delaware North UK, added: “Delaware North was founded in 1915 by the Jacob’s brothers, who set up a popcorn cart outside a baseball stadium in what would become the birth of the multi-billion pound business it is today.
“With only the second generation of Jacobs Chairman at the helm, the company is one of the largest privately owned businesses to date in the USA and the family remain firmly engaged in all its operations and at its core. This is a key part of Delaware North’s make up; as a large global company it is important to retain flexibility in decision making, experience from the top and core values centred around the power of partnership.
"Many Delaware North contracts span over 50 years, with our oldest being 86 years. This is testament to our dedication to innovation, focus on customer service, quality of provision and working with our clients to create special experiences at all our venues.”
The Silver Diamond Ball was also in partnership with DRP Group. Diamond sponsors were Core Recruitment and Zenith Hygiene.