Ritz London launches academy to train future hospitality stars

Starting in September, the Ritz Academy will offer a three or five year training programme, with candidates mentored every step of the way by a team led by Ritz London managing director Stephen Boxall and head of human resources Joanne Meridith.

The programme will provide practical and academic experience and is divided into three stages:

Stage one will last three years, with candidates spending six months working in the following departments in the hotel: the kitchen; The Ritz Restaurant, The Rivoli Bar, housekeeping, front office and reservations.

Candidates will then have the option of taking permanent job at the Ritz or enrolling into the second stage of the programme, where they will spend six months working in the food and beverage and rooms divisions.

The third stage offers candidates the chance to work in the food and beverage or rooms divisions at assistant manager level, or try working in the finance, sales and marketing and human resources divisions.

Ritz London executive chef John Williams MBE, Food and Beverage operations manager Simon Girling and hotel manager Sal Gowili will all be on hand to help mentor candidates as they progress through the programme.

“The Ritz team and I are delighted at the prospect of welcoming vibrant and talented individuals into The Ritz Academy and look forward to helping them develop and prosper within the industry and, where the legend began and has led the way ever since, The Ritz London,” Stephen Boxall.

To apply for the Ritz Academy, applicants should submit their CV and responses to three set questions by Friday 25 July 2014.Shortlisted candidates will then be asked to take part in individual and group assessment and an interview.

For further information visit www.theritzlondon.com/academy.html​​