Council of Members
People 1st's council of members is a vibrant group of executives and directors from the sector's brightest companies - all of whom recognise importance of training, investment and leadership.
Its members have a multitude of experience from PLCs, large, medium and small businesses, the public sector and not for profit organisations. They are charged with the remit of representing the interests of employers and employees from across the sector, thereby ensuring that People 1st delivers according to industry demand.
The council meets at least twice a year to:
- Constitute an advisory board, steering the strategic direction of People 1st's activities;
- Guide the trustees on what they consider to be the employer's requirements (whose interests they represent) for training and skills in accordance with the company's objectives;
- Appoint or remove trustees (by a majority of those present at a members meeting)
Members play a key role as “ambassadors” of People 1st, promoting its good interests and encouraging the stakeholders they represent to support People 1st's work. Ten of the members also sit on the board of trustees.
Members
Christian Armstrong
People and Development Director - Guoman and Thistle Hotels
Tim Bacon
Managing Director – Living Ventures
James Berresford
Chief Executive - VisitEngland
Natalie Bickford (vice-chair)
HR Director UK and Ireland - Sodexo Ltd.
Geoff Booth
Chairman - Professional Association of Catering Educators (PACE) (Non-voting member)
Jude Brimble
National Officer, GMB Food and Leisure Section
Michael Caines
Operational Partner and Director - ABode Hotels and Michael Caines Restaurants
Richard Carrick
Consultant
Tea Colaianni
Group HR Director - Merlin Entertainments
Martin Cox
Director - West Dorset Leisure Holidays
Peter Darnell
Managing Director - Chartridge Conference Company
Don Davenport
(President)
Non-Executive Director - Harrison Catering Services
Karen Davies
HR Director - Novus Leisure
Sara Edwards
Vice President, Human Resources - Orient-Express Services Ltd
David Fairhurst (Chairman)
Chief People Officer, McDonald's Restaurants Europe
Laura Frith
Vice President HR - interContinental Hotels Group
Geoffrey Harrison
Chief Executive - Harrison Catering
James Horler
Chief Executive - 3Sixty Restaurants
Nick Howe
Joint Managing Director, Holroyd Howe Independent
Kulsum Hussin
Chair - Welcome Skills
Philip Lay
Retail Director - S.A. Brain and Company Ltd.
Peter Lederer CBE
Managing Director - The Gleneagles Hotel
Jillian MacLean
Managing Director - Drake and Morgan
John McEwan
Chief Executive - Advantage Travel
Michael McQuillan
Managing Director - The Streat Franchising Ltd.
Robin Mills
HR Director - Compass Group UK and Ireland
Stephen Moss
Chairman - Springboard UK (formerly Managing Director, BCP Limited)
Charles Prew
CEO - Von Essen Hotels
Neil Robertson
Chief Executive - British Institute of Innkeeping (Non-voting member)
Philippe Rossiter
Chief Executive - Institute of Hospitality
Brigid Simmonds
Chief Executive - British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA)
Louise Smalley
Group Human Resources Director - Whitbread Group Plc.
Jane Sunley
Managing Director - LearnPurple (Non-voting member)
Alistair Telfer
Club Secretary - Oxford and Cambridge Club
Shelley Thomas
Group People Director - Gala Coral Group
Tim West
CEO - Lexington Catering
Sean Wheeler
Area Director of Human Resource - The Dorchester Collection
Mike Williams
Group Director of People and Development - Malmaison and Hotel Du Vin Hotels
Andrew Main Wilson
Chief Operating Officer - Institute of Directors
