Hotel Cateys 2017: Human Resources Manager of the Year winner, David Morison, Jumeirah

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David Morison is no stranger to awards. He won the Rising Star of the Year and Ambassador of the Year while working at the London Hilton on Park Lane. Moving to Starwood's Park Tower in London's Knightsbridge in 2011, Morison won a coveted Acorn Award from The Caterer before scooping Starwood's Presidents Award in 2013 for his role in employee engagement scores rising by 10%.

Joining Jumeirah in 2013 as HR manager, Morison made a mark, swiftly spearheading a number of projects that earned him manager of the quarter. Now, as assistant director of human resources, he is recognised throughout the business for his honesty, integrity and commitment to both the strategic objectives of the hotel and the personal support of his colleagues.

Morison is known as an innovator within the business. Last year he launched Jumeirah's first ever ‘World Café' for staff, which created a relaxed environment to promote dialogue among employees. Teams were asked to consider ‘how can we take this hotel to the next level?', with Morison planning the whole initiative and gathering all feedback.

He is also instrumental in recruitment and retention within the business, recognising its direct impact on the guest experience. Morison led his team to deliver Appreciation Week 2017, which featured a different set of activities and initiatives each day, and which gave Jumeirah the opportunity to thank its hardworking staff. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with 84% saying they felt more motivated having taken part.

On top of acting as on-property lead for the payroll and rota system, championing the pension provision, implementing a new labour forecasting tool and redesigning the business's recognition tool, Morison also finds time to take part in activities outside of his day-to-day responsibilities. He plays an active part in HR in Hospitality, organising events and even hosting its annual awards. He is also a Springboard ambassador and an Oxford Brookes mentor, securing employment for his first mentee as sales and marketing co-ordinator at Jumeirah Himalayas Shanghai.

As part of his own development, Morison has completed a CIPD course in psychology in leadership and management, the learnings from which he has also imparted to his team.

Ever seeking new ways to understand the needs of his colleagues, Morison has also volunteered to take on duty management shifts to immerse himself in the hotel operation. He clearly gets involved in all aspects of the hotel, making a great contribution to his colleagues and the business as a whole. The judges thought this was an outstanding entry from a passionate HR professional who embodies the qualities of an ambassador for the profession.

What the judges said
"David is clearly well respected in the business and has made a great contribution to his hotel. The nomination showed his complete dedication to people and the industry as a whole." Zoe Jenkins

"He has had an outstanding career to date, with some quantifiable achievements. David is a manager with a bright career ahead of him." John Scanlon

Shortlisted
Gareth Blake, The Copthorne Tara hotel, London

James Goulding, PPHE Hotel Group

David Morison, Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Jumeirah Lowndes hotel, London

Past winners
2016 Tristan Knight, Rosewood London

2015 Aideen Whelehan, Lancaster London

2014 Mike Williams, De Vere Hotels & Village Urban Resort

2013 Julia Murrell, Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, Oxfordshire

2012 Sarah Banner, The Cavendish London

2011 Ros Young, ABode Hotels

2010 Della Fanning, The Marylebone London

2009 Liz McGivern, Red Carnation Hotels

2008 Sean Wheeler, Malmaison and Hotel du Vin

2007 Helen (Kalyan) McKibbin, Novotel London West