Hotel Cateys 2022: People Team of the Year – Dakota Hotels

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The people team at Dakota is responsible for the management of 550 Dakota employees across five hotels in Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Motherwell. As well as the people working in each site, this also includes HR apprentices, regional heads, a head of engagement, learning and development and a human resources director.

All members of the department have worked within the company in various operational roles, so the people team has an in-depth knowledge of how the group works across all departments.

The hotel group has a history of low staff turnover, with the average length of service at 2.5 years. It is a keen advocate of professional development and encourages and supports more than 10% of its people to undertake apprenticeships or further education programmes.

The appointment of a head of engagement, learning and development in 2022 has meant that the focus is on the internal Dakota Academy. Training is delivered in various forms to best meet the needs of the individual, including internal workshops covering departmental-specific training and e-learning, as well as external training courses from the Wine & Spirit Educational Trust, Institution of Occupational Safety and Health [IOSH], and professional qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, Scottish Vocational Qualifications and apprenticeships. There is further internal career coaching in the shape of the Coaching Club, a programme that pairs individuals from different roles and locations together.

In addition to annual appraisals, the people team has created the Rising Star programme, which consists of a personal development programme and a 24-month training plan. This scheme has seen 26 team members achieve new roles through a personalised focus on development.

In January 2022, Dakota launched its first formalised employee voice platform, Team Table Talks, which allows the team to have their say on all matters in the working environment, as well as plan team lunches and Christmas parties. This initiative has supported retention with average turnover now sitting at 4% group-wide.

In May 2022, an employee survey showed that 93% of Dakota employees rated the company as having a very good communication rate, 96% classed it as a very good or good workplace and 92% were highly likely or likely to recommend a friend to working at Dakota.

The people team at Dakota is also committed to charity and the community and works with Manchester-based ReachOut, a mentoring charity working with young people in disadvantaged communities, Walk for Wellbeing with Hospitality Action, and as part of the Living Wage City Region Action Group.

What the judges said

“The HR team at Dakota has demonstrated an outstanding approach to an inclusive and constantly evolving people culture. The team is clearly striving to inspire younger generations, whilst supporting communities and delivering a strong welfare strategy.”

Caroline Harrison

The shortlist

The Belfry Hotel & Resort

Dakota Hotels

The Hari

Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons

Splendid Hospitality Group

Past winners

2021 Red Carnation Hotels

2019 Aviator by Tag

2018 The Ned

2017 Firmdale Hotels

2016 The London Edition

2015 Red Carnation Hotel Collection

2014 Dorchester Collection

2013 Hilton London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5

2012 Dorchester Collection

2011 Royal Garden Hotel London

2010 Jumeirah Hotels

2009 The Berkeley, London

2008 The Dorchester, London