Cateys 2025: Best Employer Award: Red Carnation Hotels

When a third of new hires are brought in through friends and family referrals, it reflects a deeply rooted people-centred culture and a strong sense of pride among employees in their workplace.

This year’s very worthy winner of the Best Employer Award prides itself on its culture, treating its employees with care, consideration and respect.

This approach begins on new starters’ first day, when people enter the group’s 550-strong workforce. New recruits are greeted with a pre-onboarding welcome video from the hotels’ general managers and a ‘Welcome Day’, led by the executive team, illustrating the business’s commitment to and appreciation of new employees. This is followed by four check-ins within the first three months, which not only allows employee to set development goals and highlight challenges, but also facilitates trust-building with managers and encourages open conversations.

But Red Carnation’s commitment to employee care and development extends beyond the first few days – the group also has a range of learning and development programmes for its younger employees, such as its non-graduate management and degree apprenticeship, which prepares recruits for supervisory positions. The results speak for themselves: last year, the hotel chain saw 25 employees graduate to reception, housekeeping and F&B management positions across its portfolio.

Not only does the business invest in young talent, it also develops its leaders of tomorrow. Its Ambassadors in Management (AIM) One, Two and Three programme prepares current managers for the next level up. Currently, its AIM Two programme has led to the promotion of nine out of 14 employees during the course. The business also offers personalised one-on-one coaching with the head of learning and development, and this year it introduced bite-sized online training sessions to reinforce brand behaviours.

To build employee trust and loyalty, the hotel acts on the feedback it receives through its regular staff surveys. The results of the most recent saw the group improve its benefits, including enhanced maternity and paternity pay and an £800 payment for new parents during their child’s first months.

Inclusivity is undertaken through employees’ everyday actions: the introduction of name badges with pronouns creates a more inclusive working environment, while initiatives such as workshops on the menopause and unconscious bias promoted by the employee-led inclusivity, diversity, equity and action committee ensure ongoing awareness of topical subjects.

Alongside the schemes, awards and one-to-ones, Red Carnation also makes its reward culture fun by holding monthly tea parties, message of the month awards and global staff appreciation party awards.

Having won the award once before in 2023, the hotel group has not rested on its laurels. It continues to demonstrate that it has an industry-leading – and now double-award-winning – people-first approach.

What the judges said

“The talent management and development offer at Red Carnation sets it apart, with multiple programmes and levels to progress further in a career benefitting both Red Carnation and hospitality as whole.” Steve Rockey

“Red Carnation is consistently innovating in its people space with strong, embedded values, exemplary training and a development strategy at all levels of the organisation.” Julia Edmonds

“It’s great to see a previous winner continue to grow and develop its people agenda and not rest on its laurels.” Emma Simpson

The shortlist

• Amplify Guest Services
• Dakota Hotels
• Market Place
• Red Carnation Hotels
• Signature Dining
• Sushisamba London

The judges

• Julia Edmonds, Elior
• Vicky Freeman, Thomas Franks
• Jo Harley, Korero/Hendrick & Hyde
• Steve Rockey  
• Emma Simpson, Gleneagles
• Paresh Vara, PPHE

If you would like to enter the 2026 Cateys, or you know someone who you would like to nominate, register your interest for updates