Providing training to tomorrow’s leaders in hospitality

When members of the Scottish hospitality industry gathered in Glasgow recently for a celebration of its emerging talent, it was a proud moment for us at Tickety Boo.

For the tenth year in a row, Tickety Boo is to provide management training to eight members of the hospitality industry. They are all recipients of scholarships given out annually through the Hospitality Industry Trust Scotland.

HITS is a charity that helps new and existing hospitality workers achieve their full potential in the industry. Each of the eight scholars we’ll work with will receive Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) Level 4 management training, They include supervisors and junior managers from a cross section of the hospitality industry.

For Tickety Boo’s director Annie Lindsay, working with the scholars – announced at HITS’ Emerging Talent Conference in Glasgow – is a return to her roots. Annie was formerly training manager at the five-star Gleneagles Hotel in Auchterarder, Perthshire, a position subsequently held by David Cochrane, now chief executive of HITS.

Says Annie: “Having been in charge of training the staff at Gleneagles, and having continued to coach and train many clients in the hotel, restaurant and catering trade since then, hospitality is close to my heart. I’m thrilled to continue helping the trade through the extremely valuable scholarships offered through HITS.”

More than 400 delegates gathered at the Emerging Talent Conference 2016, which took place on February 4^th at the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow. The sellout event included keynote speakers Mark Flanagan, Royal Chef and Assistant Master of Catering at Buckingham Palace, and Charlie Flynn, professional boxer and Commonwealth gold medalist.

HITS awarded a total of 164 scholarships in what was the toughest decision making process yet, says David Cochrane. They received more than 500 applications – a record number. “This year was the most difficult yet due to the sheer volume of applications received. Our office was inundated. This is very exciting for the hospitality industry and a great testament to the work of HIT Scotland,” says David.

We’ll raise a glass to that! And we can’t wait to get to work with this year’s scholars.