Hospitality Rising wins Government support as it looks to solve sector's recruitment crisis

As latest figures from trade body UKHospitality show there are currently 400,000 vacancies across the hospitality sector , the grass-roots campaign, which is spearheaded by former Pret a Manger and YO! Sushi marketer Mark McCulloch (pictured), hopes to be the answer to the sector's crippling staffing crisis.

The HTSB will work into the joint Government and industry initiative, the newly-created Hospitality Sector Council.

McCulloch has won the backing of representatives of the whole spectrum of hospitality businesses, including UKHospitality, the BII and the British Beer and Pub Association, and the endorsement makes Hospitality Rising the official industry response to the recruitment crisis.

“We see this approval as a call to action for industry colleagues to come together and get behind the campaign, not just emotionally but, importantly, financially too, as we seek to build a campaign war-chest,” says McCulloch.

“This will allow us to drive our message out to the UK public, tell all our fabulous stories and make hospitality a positive career choice for the very many, not the few.”

Pret A Manger is the latest business to confirm its endorsement, and joins a number of other brands, including Athenaeum, Buzzworks, DRG, Hawksmoor, Hilton, The Pig Hotel & Limewood Group, Punch Pubs & Co, Rosa’s Thai, Wahaca, Welcome Break and more.

McCulloch, who will move to the role of campaign director reporting to the HTSB, is seeking to raise up to £5m by encouraging employers to pledge £10 per employee.

“The campaign cannot come soon enough,” says Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality

“Our latest research shows the issues of recruitment and skills are absolutely mission critical to the hospitality and tourism sectors.

“Many of our members are struggling with a significant level of vacancies; this campaign will enable hospitality to stage a vital intervention, and turn on a generation to the rich and varied roles and career pathways that our vibrant industry offers.”