Hospitality industry charity, Springboard has announced Alastair Storey as its new Chairman. He has been appointed by Springboard’s Board of Trustees to take over from Stephen Moss CBE, Springboard’s Founder and Chair for the past 29 years.
The Board were keen for a high-profile industry leader to take the helm, leading Springboard into a new phase of growth and strengthening the senior team.
A Springboard Life Patron since 2010, Storey is Chairman of WSH, the parent company for leading hospitality brands including BaxterStorey, benugo, Portico and Caterlink. A tireless champion of the industry, he has retained the accolade of most influential person in hospitality since 2012, taking the celebrated title from celebrity chef Jamie Oliver in The Caterer’s Top 100 list.
Anne Pierce, CEO of Springboard, said, “We are confident that Alastair’s experience and active engagement in the hospitality industry will help Springboard achieve its ambitious goals to help young people, unemployed and disadvantaged adults into sustainable employment and careers in hospitality.”
At the same time, Springboard UK (the Charity’s trading arm) is focused on promoting the industry as a great place to work and supporting individual businesses to attract talent – and in the current climate there has never been a more critical time for this important work.
Storey (pictured right) said, “Springboard provides invaluable support to our industry, attracting new talent and showcasing the endless opportunities a career in hospitality and tourism can provide.
“In these uncertain times Springboard’s mission has never been more essential. Attracting new talent is crucial to the future success of our sector, and through its work with business partners, Springboard showcases hospitality and tourism as a truly exciting sector. I am delighted to continue the fantastic work Stephen and the team have undertaken over the past 29 years.”
Storey will build on the legacy of Stephen Moss CBE, who will move to the role of Founder and Life President. Stephen, along with other industry giants at the time, such as Lord Charles Forte, built Springboard out of their combined frustration over the poor perception of the hospitality industry, the inability to attract home-grown talent and the woefully inadequate careers advice at the time.
In 1990, in the pre-internet revolution, the charity began as a drop-in Careers Centre to excite and educate young people and unemployed adults about hospitality opportunities in London. In 1997, with the appointment of Chief Executive, Anne Pierce, Springboard expanded across the UK and developed new programmes in secondary schools and for adult jobseekers and those people further away from the labour market to promote careers and encourage people into the industry.
One of its flagship programmes, FutureChef, was designed to inspire young people to cook through a school cookery competition. Starting in 1999 with just 100 students participating, it is now embedded within the school curriculum and this year’s competition has engaged nearly 14,000 12 to 16 year olds with the national final taking place on Monday 18th March at Westminster Kingsway College.
Moss (pictured left) said, “At this pivotal time, I am proud to look back at what our organisation has achieved. We now offer over 60,000 careers advice and guidance sessions each year, and work with over 100 businesses to address issues surrounding HR and corporate social responsibility. Alastair will bring his unrivalled expertise and experience, continuing our hard work and supporting Springboard’s growth.”
Pierce added, “I've worked with Stephen for over 22 years, and his immeasurable contribution, wisdom, tact and diplomacy and sheer passion has inspired everyone who has ever worked for and with Springboard. He’s been a hugely supportive Chairman and the team have benefited from his wisdom and celebrated many successes with him over the years.
“Now we’re at a transformational point of Springboard’s evolution. With issues facing the industry including the impact of Brexit and immigration policy, Springboard’s work is elevated to a new level of importance. We’re excited to welcome Alastair to drive our mission forward as an influential leader with ambitious goals.”
Storey joins alongside new additions to the leadership team, new Fundraising and Marketing Director, Nikki Kelly, joined from the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, and new Finance & Resources Director, Danyanne Quemper joined from the SANDS Charity. Together with the existing team of outstanding professionals, they are driving forward an exciting programme of work to make a real difference to people’s lives and tangible support from the industry.