QHotels Puts People At The Center Of Its Business

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. October 14, 2008

UNITED KINGDOM, August 2, 2005. QHotels today launched the first phase of its human development programme - an initiative that aims to put the company's people at the centre of the business, treating them as internal customers.

Launched by Paul Brewer, QHotels' director of human resources, the company is aiming to be at the forefront of the industry in terms of its far-sighted approach to staff training and development.

Paul Brewer said, "We really want to raise the bar where our people are concerned, rewarding long service, encouraging personal initiative and empowerment and simplifying assessment procedures.

"In particular, as a small company we want to give our people a real sense of ownership and responsibility, whilst enjoying the benefits of a strong team environment. We see the role of group personnel as very much a support service, focused on helping the hotels...they are our customers."

In time the new programme will concentrate on a number of areas, allowing personnel to attain external qualifications, and participate in an ideas scheme, where employees themselves champion and deliver their own ideas to fruition.

In addition to this programme, QHotels is looking to employ new general managers in its project management initiative. Two general managers joined the company recently - Joanne Barratt, now the general manager of Chesford Grange; and Mark Platt, who has just joined QHotels from the Holiday Inn Group.

Both these people were 'talent spotted' by the company and have been given special project management roles, prior to their taking up positions within the individual hotels. Joanne has spent several months reviewing brand standards within the conference side of the business, ensuring the product and offering is of the highest quality, whilst Mark has just embarked on a special project to ensure house keeping excellence across the group. Both initiatives, once complete, will be rolled out within the chain.

"This is just one element of our human resource programme, but what it allows us to do with senior staff is familiarize them into the QHotels Way, prior to them becoming general mangers. They may not be in their official roles for a while, but giving them a specific project to undertake before they take over one of our hotels, really provides them with a great opportunity to prove themselves and add value to the group," concluded Paul Brewer.

Notes to editors

1. QHotels is the new trading name for Quintessential Hotels

2. QHotels acquires properties that require development and investment. The Group is currently investing lb40m in five of its six hotels.

3. QHotels believes every member of staff plays a vital role in the success of the company and is committed to recruiting people who share their vision of continued improvement, high quality service delivery, and strong financial performance.