Michael Whitehead Email & Phone Number

London, London, Gb

London, London, Gb

Following my promotion to Area Vice President Human Resources - Europe (and which is continued with my previous promotion) my key focus is on Europe Operations and supporting the enhancement of the Global Human Resources function (recruitment, learning & development, analytics, diversity / inclusivity, and culture development) from London HQ. My role reports directly to the VP People (who is also based in London). During the COVID Pandemic I was involved with strategic decisions to ensure survival of the business in the early stages and how to right size the business for the future post-COVID. This included centralising Human Resources for the Europe region as a pilot for future centralisation. This currently includes recruitment, onboarding, learning & development, and employee relations for U.K., Netherlands and France. I implemented a Service Level Agreement to ensure consistent approach and ensure responsibilities for hotel and HQ were clearly identified.

London, London, Gb

London, London, Gb

YOTEL is a global hospitality brand that is planning on aggressive expansion over the coming years. My original position of Senior Human Resources Manager was to support the first phase of this expansion during 2019, where the company grew from 9 hotels at the end of 2018 to 15 by end of 2019. With my focus on the European region, I was instrumental in the opening of: Edinburgh (2019), Amsterdam (2019), London (2020), Glasgow (hotel, 2020), Porto (2021), and VEGA destination bar at YOTEL Glasgow (2021).

Amsterdam, Nl

Following a restructure of Human Resources within the UK region of PPHE Hotel Group, I was promoted to HR Business Partner for the above cluster. This cluster comprises of over 1,000 guest bedrooms and a headcount of over 400. This cluster also includes two destination restaurants (Chino Latino’s and Florentine), as well as Park Plaza London Riverbank meetings and events space, which is the second largest space within the group. In my role I am responsible for building organisational capabilities through expert knowledge and effective people strategies – ensuring that managers are equipped. I am also required to balance a commercial and technical approach while working within the Hotels’ leadership teams as a strategic partner toward the achievement of the business’s overall objectives and vision. I also lead, support, and develop a team of three within Human Resources (Senior HR Officer and 2 x HR Officers) to ensure managers and team members within the hotels receive expert front-line support and guidance and to ensure that my team support action plans and objectives to ensure they are delivered. I will also work closely in partnership with the Regional HR team to co-develop, implement and review Regional HR strategic action plans, policies, procedures, systems and initiatives.

Amsterdam, Nl

As part of the new opening Executive team (General Manager, Operations Manager and Financial Controller), we were given the freedom to create our own vision in terms of overall hotel strategy. This included an opportunity to create a Human Resources platform that has resulted in the most successful hotel opening within the Company. With the hotel exceeding all annual targets, including revenue within its first fully operating first year (£21million). It was important that the hotel strategy not only concentrate on the creation of a solid foundation but keeps reviewing and improving, which also relates to Human Resources.The hotel also contains a destination restaurant, called Florentine, as well as an illy Coffee Shop which are high street concepts which I supported with new opening recruitment and learning & development strategies. This allowed me to be creative with the management teams, and built good working relationships that ensures that Florentine and illy feel part of the ‘hotel’ and not separate. For the Human Resources function, I was given a degree of freedom and flexibility in relation to recruitment and learning & development for Park Plaza London Waterloo hotel. As a result, the hotel strategy I devised with the Executive teams is to recruit for personality and train for skills. This has resulted in a hotel team that is engaging with guests, with being in the top 170 in TripAdvisor and second in our competitor set.

Amsterdam, Nl

The purpose of my role is to provide general HR related support and coordinated implementation of HR policies and programs for the PPHE Hotel Group in the UK. In my role I provide general project, technical and administrative support to the Regional HR Manager UK, along with support to the Regional Trainer UK to ensure all business objectives are met in a timely, efficient and professional manner.A number of projects include:- Key account contact for Springboard Charity for all UK hotels- Build and maintain relationships with key Universities/colleges- Creation and implementation of a working program with Lambeth Council- Working with Lambeth College to create and implement work placement program for Trainee Chefs- Creation and implementation of a 'Prevention of Illegal Working' standard operating procedure- Sourcing and launch of an Occupational Health provider to the UK region- Launched a Vetting Service Provider to the UK region- Implemented centralised job board contracts and standardised job branding in the UK region- Creation and implementation of 'Managing Sickness Absence' and 'Managing Unauthorised Absence' standard operation procedure- Creation of a management master class for "Managing Absence"- Supported the creation and development of a 'Shared Parental Leave' standard operating procedure

Amsterdam, Nl

My role of Senior HR Officer at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge hotel which has: 1,019 bedrooms, 35 meeting rooms, Brasserie Joel restaurant, Ichi Sushi and Sashimi bar, Primo Bar, Espressamente illy coffee shop and a Mandara Spa.As part of a team of 6, I supported a number of departments as the main HR contact. These departments are Front of House (Reception, Concierge, Guest Relations, Guest Services and the Night Reception team), Housekeeping (the biggest department and payroll cost in the hotel), Mandara Spa and Fitness Centre, Security and Engineering. In my role I support the managers with any ER issues, recruitment, training needs as well supporting them by using HR data and information to ensure key performance indicators are met. I also work on a number of projects with the aim to support the operations.I was also fortunate to work with the Corporate and regional teams of PPHE Hotel Group (owners of Park Plaza Westminster Bridge) on projects that so far including the welcome received by all new starters and a Company wide Performance Management tool.

Gb

Working in the head office of Paramount Restaurants. Paramount Restaurants (no longer trading) where the owners of the following brands; Chez Gerald, Bertorelli, Livebait, Brasserie Gerard, iL Bertorelli and Caffe Uno restaurants. In my role I was there to support all team members and management of the restaurants and support office (head office). During my time here I worked closely with the ER Manager on TUPE, redundancy, ET claims and other ER related issues. I also supported the implementation of Fourth Hospitality into the business and became the "Super User" of the system.The Head of HR implementated a in-house e-learning tool and with that I support the L&D team in writing and setting up the system. I also supported in training the management population in how to use the system.

Mclean, Va, Us

Started my HR career with Hilton as a HR Coordinator at Hilton Standard Airport. I then transfered to the role of Cluster HR and Training Officer for Hilton London Green Park and Hilton London Hyde Park hotels in October 2007. Due to restructuring I was then transfered to Hilton London Kensington as a HR and Training Officer in March 2008.I left the company due to restructuring of the whole London HR structure and felt needed a new challenge.

Cipd Level 5 Diploma In Human Resources Manager, Human Resources Management And Services

Cipd - Certificate In Personal Practice, Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General

Ba (Hons), International Business