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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 ArmstrongChristian Armstrong

People and Development Director - Guoman and Thistle Hotels

Tim BaconTim Bacon

Managing Director – Living Ventures

James BerresfordJames Berresford

Chief Executive - VisitEngland

Natalie BickfordNatalie Bickford (vice-chair)

HR Director UK and Ireland - Sodexo Ltd.

Geoff BoothGeoff Booth

Chairman - Professional Association of Catering Educators (PACE) (Non-voting member)

Jude BrimbleJude Brimble

National Officer, GMB Food and Leisure Section

Michael CainesMichael Caines

Operational Partner and Director - ABode Hotels and Michael Caines Restaurants

Richard CarrickRichard Carrick

Consultant

Tea CollaianniTea Colaianni

Group HR Director - Merlin Entertainments

Martin CoxMartin Cox

Director - West Dorset Leisure Holidays

Peter DarnellPeter Darnell

Managing Director - Chartridge Conference Company

Don DavenportDon Davenport (President)

Non-Executive Director - Harrison Catering Services

Karen DaviesKaren Davies

HR Director - Novus Leisure

Sara EdwardsSara Edwards

Vice President, Human Resources - Orient-Express Services Ltd

David FairhurstDavid Fairhurst (Chairman)

Chief People Officer, McDonald's Restaurants Europe

Laura FrithLaura Frith

Vice President HR - interContinental Hotels Group

Geoffrey HarrisonGeoffrey Harrison

Chief Executive - Harrison Catering

James HorlerJames Horler

Chief Executive - 3Sixty Restaurants

Nick HoweNick Howe

Joint Managing Director, Holroyd Howe Independent

Kulsum HussinKulsum Hussin

Chair - Welcome Skills

Philip LayPhilip Lay

Retail Director - S.A. Brain and Company Ltd.

Peter LedererPeter Lederer CBE

Managing Director - The Gleneagles Hotel

Jillian MacLeanJillian MacLean

Managing Director - Drake and Morgan

John McEwanJohn McEwan

Chief Executive - Advantage Travel

Michael McQuillanMichael McQuillan

Managing Director - The Streat Franchising Ltd.

Robin MillsRobin Mills

HR Director - Compass Group UK and Ireland

Stephen MossStephen Moss

Chairman - Springboard UK (formerly Managing Director, BCP Limited)

Charles PrewCharles Prew

CEO - Von Essen Hotels

Neil RobertsonNeil Robertson

Chief Executive - British Institute of Innkeeping (Non-voting member)

Philippe RossiterPhilippe Rossiter

Chief Executive - Institute of Hospitality

Brigid SimmondsBrigid Simmonds

Chief Executive - British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA)

Louise SmalleyLouise Smalley

Group Human Resources Director - Whitbread Group Plc.

Jane SunleyJane Sunley

Managing Director - LearnPurple (Non-voting member)

Alistair TelferAlistair Telfer

Club Secretary - Oxford and Cambridge Club

Shelley ThomasShelley Thomas

Group People Director - Gala Coral Group

LexingtonTim West

CEO - Lexington Catering

Sean WheelerSean Wheeler

Area Director of Human Resource - The Dorchester Collection

Mike WilliamsMike Williams

Group Director of People and Development - Malmaison and Hotel Du Vin Hotels

Andrew Main WilsonAndrew Main Wilson

Chief Operating Officer - Institute of Directors