This is a company that invests a huge amount of resources into its teams, punching well above its weight in comparison to companies that far outstrip in size.
Lockdown gave the owners time to take stock and think about the direction of the business, and saw them double-down on the investment it was putting into its teams.
Training academy
The company has now created its own training academy which is open to all within the business, from the pot washers all the way up to the top management team.
A real innovation, however, is the work the company is doing to provide generic training skills - for example a team member that wants to train in management, will train general management skills, not hospitality specific, as the company wants to be able to offer training and skills that are truly transferable to any industry.
That approach is paying off with team members not only training, but also staying with the business, really helping to aid retention within the team. There is a very strong ethos of internal progression within the business, and many senior members have progressed upwards through the business.
Poised for growth
Judges were massively impressed with the work the company was doing and the sheer scale and numbers of people that were receiving superb training opportunities throughout the business.
This is a business that is now poised for growth and has strong ambitions over the coming year, its work in developing, training and retaining its teams is something that’s going to stand in excellent stead as it continues its expansion across the southern Home Counties.
Culture is hugely important, and this is a business that firmly puts its people first, embracing the team and getting the most out of them as a result.