24th Nov 2010 - 00:00
Abstract
People 1st, the sector skills council for hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism, has strengthened its council of members with the appointment of 10 key figures from across the hospitality and tourism sector.
The new appointments include Michael Caines, Michelin-starred chef and operational partner and director of ABode Hotels and Michael Caines Restaurants, whose Gidleigh Park restaurant was recently voted top in the Sunday Times Food List and Jillian MacLean, managing director of Drake and Morgan, who was named the eating and drinking-out market's Rising Star at the 2010 Retailers' Retailer awards. People 1st has also appointed Natalie Bickford, HR director UK and Ireland for contract caterers Sodexo, as vice-chair of its board of trustees. Natalie joined the People 1st board - chaired by McDonald's senior vice president, chief people officer David Fairhurst - in 2008, and is also chair of the sector skills council's Women 1st initiative. Also joining the People 1st council of members are: • Christian Armstrong – people and development director - Guoman and Thistle Hotels • Karen Davies – HR director, Novus Leisure • Sara Edwards – Director of HR worldwide, Orient-Express Services Ltd • Mike Greenacre – managing director, Co-operative Travel • John McEwan – chief executive, Advantage Travel, who also joins the board of trustees • Shelley Thomas – group people director, Gala Coral Group • Alistair Telfer – club secretary, Oxford and Cambridge Club • Mike Williams – group director of people and development, Malmaison and Hotel Du Vin Hotels People 1st's chief executive, Brian Wisdom, has welcomed the new members: "As an employer-led organisation, People 1st is committed to ensuring that we have the highest level of employer support and engagement across the broad range of industries that make up our sector. "The new additions to our council of members bring a wealth of experience from across the visitor economy. I look forward to involving each of the new members in our work, and to listening to the expertise and guidance that they will bring."