Best places to work 2018 SHORTLISTED FOR BEST EMPLOYER CATEY


HAND PICKED HOTELS In a nutshell Launched in 2001, this privately owned collection of country house hotels has grown to a total of 20 sites Locations The UK and Channel Islands Employees 1,498 Average staff turnover 49% (Dec 16-Nov 17) Annual sales turnover £83m (Dec 16-Nov 17)


Hand Picked Hotels is a big company, but chairman and chief executive Julia Hands has worked hard to create an inclusive workplace, where staff are encouraged to develop and let their personalities shine as part of a tight unit.


38 | The Caterer | 27 April 2018


Last November, Hands relaunched the company’s original set of vision and values “where guests feel special and colleagues feel like family”. Insiders report that her video presentation, which was shown across the portfolio, was met with “cheers and applause and a sense of pride”.


The relaunch kicked off with a roadshow and an ongoing programme of activities to drive the ethos in each hotel. This involves team training, job-swapping, games, role play, social events and community efforts. But the company was also creating a pro- ductive working environment. As the Best


Places to Work survey reveals, three-quarters of Hand Picked respondents feel they work well within a team to produce results. “It’s a place that I have worked for the past 34 years and is my second home – love the place,” comments one employee. Another member of the Hand Picked staff says: “I feel my company treats both its customers and staff with equal respect, which in turn builds the atmosphere that we all feel. It seems to be a mini eco-environ- ment where we all give a little more, and as a result we all gain a lot more. I wish more companies would wise up to this.”


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