16 winners announced at Springboard Awards for Excellence 2023

Trainee Toby Markham (pictured) and Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons were among the 16 winners of the Springboard Awards for Excellence held last Thursday (20 April) in London's Canary Wharf.

Industry leaders and 48 shortlisted hospitality businesses and individuals attended the awards in the East Wintergarden, which were hosted by Gordon Smart, presenter on ITV's Good Morning Britain.

The winners were selected by a panel of industry experts, including Ronan Harte, chief executive of BaxterStorey, and Diego Masciaga.

Markham from London was named winner of the Fiona Colley Trainee of the Year award for landing his first-ever job in hospitality after completing Springboard's Galvin's Chance programme. He has cerebral palsy and had struggled to find employment in the past.

Markham said: "Winning this award means a lot to me as it shows I have overcome the barriers I have, which is cerebral palsy and a learning difficulty. I was really proud to get my first ever paid job, and now to win this award. I hope this can inspire and show other people with similar barriers to me that they can work and do well."

Meanwhile, the Crumbs Project was recognised for its contributions to diversity, equality, inclusion and disability; Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons was awarded Sustainable Business and Best Employer; and the Eden Hotel Collection secured an award for Best Training Programme.

Chris Gamm, chief executive of Springboard, said: "The Springboard Awards for Excellence 2023 provide a fantastic opportunity for the industry to come together and showcase the immense talent and successes of its top businesses. The Awards recognise the hard work and dedication of hospitality superstars and demonstrate the sector's resilience, creativity, and innovation.

"We are proud to celebrate the individuals and companies that have made an outstanding contribution to the hospitality industry – particularly Toby, whose incredible story and achievement serves as a reminder of the transformative impact that the hospitality industry can have on people's lives."

The full list of winners for the 2023 Awards for Excellence are below:

• Fiona Colley Trainee of the Year Award supported by Braehead Foods - Toby Markham

• Best Training Programme - Eden Hotel Collection

• Best Apprenticeship Strategy Award sponsored by HIT Training - Brewhouse & Kitchen

• Best Education and Industry Partnership Award sponsored by Valor Hospitality - Manchester Hoteliers Association

• Best Recruitment Initiative sponsored by Caterer.com - Axiom Hospitality

• Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Award sponsored by CH&CO - The CRUMBS Project

• Disability Confidence Award sponsored by Sodexo - The CRUMBS Project

• Best Talent Onboarding sponsored by Mapal - Gleneagles

• Career Development Initiative sponsored by Diageo - Z Hotels

• Employee Health & Wellbeing sponsored by Blue Badge Access Awards - RBH Hospitality Management

• Best Retention Initiative sponsored by Hand Picked Hotels - Dishoom

• Business Innovation sponsored by Harri - Marsham Court Hotel

• Sustainable Business Award sponsored by Franke Coffee Systems - Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons

• Community Engagement sponsored by 5 Hertford Street and Oswald's Clubs – Wagamama

• Best Employer sponsored by American Express - Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons

• Springboard Ambassador of the Year Award sponsored by BaxterStorey - Michael Taylor, Sodexo

• The Chris Beaumont Outstanding Contribution Award sponsored by Bidfood - Sally Beck

Springboard is an industry charity that helps disadvantaged and unemployed people find a career within hospitality, leisure, and tourism.

It has supported more than 10,000 people, including Ukrainian refugees, care leavers, and those with mental and physical health conditions, into jobs within the sector.