Hilton among hospitality businesses congratulated by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg on social mobility

All four companies were named as signatories to the Business Compact as part of the Deputy Prime Minister’s Social Mobility Strategy to make access to employment experience and opportunities more equal.

More than 100 companies have signed up to the new rules that were launched in April 2011. The businesses, who together employ over two million people and have collective turnover of more than £500bn, have agreed to recruit more fairly and make work experience more open while supporting local communities.

Hilton apprenticeships and schemes for underprivileged​

Ben Bengougam, vice president, HR, Europe for Hilton Worldwide was one of the business leaders invited to a reception as the first company signatories to the strategy were announced. Ahead of the reception, Bengougam said the hotel operator already had policies in place to ensure social moibility in their company.

“Hilton Worldwide is a global business and we are committed to ensuring that our workforce reflects the diversity of the communities we operate in. We do this by supporting local communities and schools; providing training and jobs for young people; and ensuring our recruitment process is fair and transparent,” Bengougam declared.

All of the Hilton Worldwide hotels currently develop links with local schools and colleges and offer placements to students via a Springboard UK scheme. The operator also runs a Chef Apprenticeship Academy and ‘Galvin’s Chance’, a programme for underprivileged young people.

Clegg congratulates Hilton​

The deputy prime minister welcomed Hilton Worldwide as being one of the first company to sign up to the new rules. “I’d like to thank Hilton Worldwide for signing up to the Business Compact. Today’s success makes me even more ambitious. This great news is just the beginning – I will be doing everything I can to bring even more businesses on board,” Clegg said.

Contract caterer Compass Group were also named as one of the initial signatories with Barceló Hotels and Jurys Inn. Ian Sarson, group managing director at Compass Group UK & Ireland said: “We also want to encourage and inspire the future generation which is why we work with schools and colleges to run a Junior Chefs’ Academy, introducing young people to the opportunities that a career in catering presents."

"Last year over 1,600 people achieved an apprenticeship within Compass and we have a range of development programmes matched to nationally recognised qualifications which enable people to grow and evolve within our business, providing them with real opportunities and a career for life," Sarson concluded.

The Business Compact, launched by the Deputy Prime Minister in April 2011 aims to:​

• Support schools and communities to raise aspirations and inspire their pupils about careers.
• Make work opportunities more open to all young people and not just those with 'contacts'.
• Make internships more open.
• Recruit staff fairly and not discriminate against ethnic or social background or upbringing.