In partnership with


Tip-top service is the name of the game at Cheval Residences, a luxury serviced apart- ment company, so staff retention/devel- opment is crucial to keep its discerning corporate and private guests happy. With the company looking to expand to Doha, Qatar, in 2020, succession planning is becoming even more important too. To address these issues, the company


Coworth Park


also be tailored for specific departments – to check the dynamics of a new team, say. It has been received warmly by teams and managers alike as an effective tool to gauge engagement throughout the year. In fact, the appraisal system has proved so successful it will be rolled out across the Dorchester Collection. Development is a hot topic throughout this group, starting with three months of core skills training and progressing through leadership programmes right up to executive level. All training is based on developing self- knowledge to inspire and lead others. As you might expect, “good communication with managers” is one of the higher scoring areas for Coworth Park in the Best Places to Work survey. Another was that it offers great benefits – as more than 87% agreed.


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AUCHRANNIE LEISURE In a nutshell An employee-owned resort comprising two four-star hotels


with 85 rooms, 30 five-star self-catering luxury lodges, three restaurants, a shop, two leisure clubs with pools, a destination spa, an outdoor adventure centre and a children’s playbarn Location Isle of Arran Employees 168 Average staff turnover 65% in 2017/18 Annual sales turnover £7.7m


Until recently, Auchrannie was owned by the Johnston family, which has worked hard to earn a place in the Best Places to Work listing over the years. Last November, the family went one step further, and the resort became the first Scottish hospitality business to become employee-owned, giving the whole Auchran- nie team a stake in its future. Claire Johnston, HR and people develop-


ment manager, says: “We continue to work to build an efficient, sustainable and profitable business. Our teams have received this excep- tionally positively and, along with dedicated training programmes across all departments, this has contributed towards a huge 22% year- on-year improvement in staff turnover.” And if that’s not enough, on 1 April 2018, Auchrannie became an accredited Real Living


www.thecaterer.com


Wage employer, further enhancing its already high reputation.


“This, along with being employee-owned, will further improve our staff turnover, reduce recruitment costs and enhance our existing productivity,” says Johnston. With 92% of Auchrannie respondents to the


survey agreeing they work in a great environ- ment, it seems the only way for the resort is up.


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CHEVAL RESIDENCES In a nutshell Operator of luxury serviced apartments and residences


Locations London (with plans to open in Doha, Qatar, in 2020) Employees 230 Average staff turnover 23% for 2017 Annual sales turnover Not disclosed


Cheval Residences


launched its Cheval management and super- visory academies last year, having invested in a state-of-the-art training facility equipped with the latest presentation technology and a sepa- rate break-out room. Potential high-flyers were identified at their annual performance review and encour- aged to join the nine-month programme, which includes workshops, e-learning and shadowing days on topics such as personal leadership style, change management, coach- ing, resource management, communication, motivation and performance management. There is also a “train the trainer” course, where employees can get feedback on their psychometric profile.


The lucky candidates are also paired with a senior Cheval manager who acts as their mentor, providing support and career guid- ance. This year’s first intake will graduate in October 2018 after participants have been assessed on coursework and a final project presented to senior management. Cheval seems to be a happy ship, with mutual respect among managers and teams indicated by a score of 83% and an even higher score for respect for work-life balance.


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ZIFERBLAT In a nutshell A pay-per-minute café, shared office space and events venue


Locations Liverpool, Manchester and London (14 in total worldwide) Employees 38 Average staff turnover 8% Annual sales turnover £1.5m


Here’s an employer that genuinely wants its staff to enjoy work as much as guests enjoy its facilities. Ziferblat’s pay-per-minute café con- cept is the first of its kind in the UK and, as a result of its unusual model, the social interac- tion with guests is seen as the most important element in the role of the “hosts”.


Auchrannie Leisure 27 April 2018 | The Caterer | 43


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