The winners of the Springboard Awards for Excellence were announced on 1 November at Whitbread’s head quarters at The Brewery on Chiswell Street, London.

Addressing the issue of attracting and retaining people within the leisure industry, the awards recognised excellence in 15 categories.

Thomas Cook won the recruitment award for travel and tourism, while the Four Seasons Hotel Canary Wharf was given the retention award.

Greene King Pub Company received the best career progression award and was commended for having reduced staff turnover by 10 per cent and cutting the number of managers leaving within their first six months by 16 per cent.

VisitScotland was named the best employer award for travel and tourism as judges were impressed by its “successful implementation of a culture change from its previous guise as the Tourist Board.”

The family-owned TLH Leisure Resort in Torbay, Devon, walked away with the best employer award for hospitality and leisure following its close co-operation with schools and colleges and an innovative strategy to achieve customer satisfaction.

The Gala Group was given the best student placement provider and restaurateur Brian Turner received the Springboard Special Award for his contribution to the organisation.

The awards – now in their second year – aim to showcase outstanding practice in people retention and development by both individuals and teams and are focused on three main themes: promoting careers, attracting people into the industry and best employment practice.