Seaham Hall to tackle recruitment problem with profit share scheme
Five-star hotel Seaham Hall on the County Durham coast is to tackle a staff recruitment problem by pledging a 40% return of future profits to its employees.
The scheme is modelled on the successful John Lewis Partnership profit-share scheme, and is believed to be the first of its type introduced in the UK hotel industry.
The 20-room property has undergone a £2m upgrade by new owners over the past 18 months. Yet finding and retaining good staff remains a concern, said general manager Ross Grieve.
"Seaham Hall has almost 100 employees and 90% have been recruited locally. We currently need more people for the kitchen, in food and beverage, and trained spa therapists, so we must try to get these people from outside the area.
"I'm delighted that we have attracted some really impressive staff, but we urgently need more exceptional and motivated people to share in our success," he said.
The employee incentive scheme will see 40% of net profits divided up and returned to each member of staff equally.
Recent refurbishment at the hotel has included a new look for its award-winning Serenity Spa, a new lounge bar and new restaurant led by celebrity chef Martin Blunos.
In November Seaham Hall won the Small Hotel of the Year title in November's North East England Tourism Awards.
Martin Blunos and Ross Grieve join Seaham Hall as executive chef and general manager >>