A team of six hospitality professionals from Cumbria are being fast tracked on to an executive management career development pathway, thanks to a new training initiative.

Working in partnership with Godfrey Owen Consulting, English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues has launched its new Leadership and Development Programme.

The six team members have been enrolled from within the company’s workforce, having been identified as rising stars with aspirations to develop senior management level careers in the leisure and hospitality industry.

They include Sofia Spadafora, Gary Tennant, Ruby Parker and Michael Eccles from Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa, and Lynn Porter and Harry Newton from Lancaster House Hotel’s front of house operations.

The first cohort to take part in this challenging two-year programme will undertake several experiences and challenges to equip them for leadership roles in the organisation, as well as undertaking specialised secondments in different areas of the hotel group’s operations.

They will also complete benchmarked assignments, participate in industry events and academic learning, and acquire additional leadership skills through mentoring from senior managers and experts in the field.

Each candidate will have a company director as a personal mentor, giving them experience of strategic leadership decision making at senior level.

English Lakes Hotels Group Operations Director Michael Kay explains:

“It’s our aspiration to recognise and support individuals within the company who show an aptitude, desire, energy and passion for progression."

“As a company we want to achieve continued growth. Staff retention is critical and developing leadership and management skills plays a big part in that. It promotes stability and greater job satisfaction across the workforce as team members see opportunities for career progression. We also aim to extend the programme for further applicants from within the business early next year.”

Godfrey Owen, senior consultant, adds:

“This is an exciting new leadership programme. It’s designed to help the group develop their embedded employability skills, knowledge and enthusiasm, encouraging them to adopt strategic thinking and problem-solving techniques and approaches."

“English Lakes Hotels has a strong culture for helping employees feel comfortable and fulfilled in their roles. The hotel group wants to build on that and inspire managerial staff to maximise their attributes and potential for wider leadership roles.”

For further information about new job roles at English Lakes Hotels, visit here.