Training and development manager at CH&Co crowned Rising Star in HR

The finals were held on Friday 24th September at the Royal Automobile Club in Pall Mall, central London. As part of his role Light is responsible for the training needs of 2,000 CH&Co staff nationwide, across five niche brands, and he manages an annual training budget representing 12% of the net profits of the company. As well as devising, implementing and delivering the majority of the training programmes, Light is also responsible for one full-time trainer and for all graduate recruitment within the group. Alison Gilbert, director of HR and a board director of CH&Co said: "Since Josh has come on board, recruitment costs have dropped by 50 per cent, partly due to the success of our in-house 'Back to Front' training initiative for developing chefs into chef managers, which Josh re-launched earlier in the year. There has also been a ten per cent decrease in staff turnover." Commenting on his success, Light added: "To be shortlisted for this award was an honour in itself. I am absolutely thrilled to be recognised in this way and must thank the directors of CH&Co for always giving me the support and resources to achieve my objectives." Looking ahead, Light is already planning some new HR initiatives such as introducing Value Awards for staff and aiming to achieve IIP gold status for the company over the next 18 months.