About IHG

The organisation created the IHG Academy - a public:private partnership model, helping local people develop their skills and take a first step into employment. One model is sector based work academy that is delivered in partnership with JobCentrePlus and targeted towards those not in education, employment or training. The model includes a City & Guilds qualification, work experience in their hotels and an interview with the opportunity to secure employment and continued development. During 2013, 27% attendees of an IHG Academy have 'graduated' into employment in our hotels. The IHG Academy won business in the community work inspiration award for work on the academy programme across the UK&I, specifically in Leeds, for the excellent work the academy programme does in the local communities, providing learning and job opportunities. Graduates follow a robust training programme to develop their careers which is aligned to nationally recognised qualifications. Hence, the IHG Apprenticeship programme started where employees can gain an NVQ level 2 and be assessed by their line manager whilst completing daily tasks. IHG’s apprenticeship scheme has been recognised at the National Apprenticeship Awards 2013. The company achieved ‘highly commended’ in the ‘new employer’ category for the Thames Valley Region because of their commitment to offering new apprentices and excellent career opportunities, with over 100 places offered to date. A video of candidate success stories has been produced to promote this initiative.

All of IHG’s employees have free use of our Spirit health clubs including swimming pools, spas, sauna and steam rooms and fully equipped gym facilities. Employees are able to participate in a variety of exercise and wellbeing classes. Since their Olympic sponsorship, they have seen increased memberships from their employees. The company promotes many health benefits through their intranet, including booklets on general health, stress, mental health and back pain. They work with their healthcare provider and provide all employees with access to advice on health and well-being through either case management or a confidential care-line. Their work with Hospitality Action also entitles employees and their families to support via Hospitality Action and support and care organisations. ‘Food for thought’ was a concept initially introduced into their hotels for conference delegates providing fresh food, fresh thinking and menus packed full of energy boosting goodness to keep focused for longer. This includes a live cooking station, roast of the day, all day freshly baked cookies, nuts & seeds. It proved so popular with guests that IHG rolled it out into their corporate office restaurant, which is now accredited by the Food for the Brain organisation. Their head office sports day is also a very popular annual event, encouraging all employees, regardless of fitness levels, to participate in a fun way. They have also increased their annual ‘one day race around the world’ event to now be a week long activity encouraging fitness across all employees.

On 22nd February 2013 IHG held their annual recognition awards ceremony for the hotel employees in the UK and Ireland managed estate. This was held at the prestigious Intercontinental Hotel, Park Lane and everything possible was done to ensure that our nominated employees had an evening to remember, from offering assistance with outfits, providing travel to the venue, a drinks reception followed by a gala dinner, to the awards ceremony followed by dancing to the small hours and then transport back to their pre-arranged accommodation for a well-earned rest. A variety of awards were up for grabs, including ‘engagement hotel of the year’, ‘aim higher’ and ‘employee of the year’. Those employees nominated to attend were chosen by their managers and colleagues, most having been an ‘employee of the month’ on one or more occasion previously. The perfect end to a fantastic celebration was the delivery of an OK style magazine to all employees who attended the awards which was slipped under their door ready for the next morning, giving everyone plenty to talk about over breakfast! The build up to this event runs throughout the whole year, and really backs all of their recognition programmes, as everyone wants an invite to the annual awards night. The momentum that the awards drive through the hotels is amazing and they ensure it remains on the agenda across all properties each month.