IOH to tackle diversity and inclusion

The Institute of Hospitality (IoH) has established its first ‘Future Forum’ to address disability, diversity, and inclusion issues across the hospitality industry. It will be chaired by Kelly-Marie Staunton MIH, Assistant Front of House Manager at Champneys Health Resorts, Mottram Hall, Cheshire, UK.

The forum is a prestigious line-up of 10 hospitality professionals who consider there is an urgent need for employers to recognise all types of disability, including invisible ones. One outcome already agreed will be to provide a Disability and Diversity Check List for employers.

Staunton says: “This Forum has a great deal to cover in helping move the issue of disability, diversity, and inclusion into the mainstream. It is important that the industry employs a diverse workforce and reflects the society in general and then shares best practices.”

She concludes: “It is also crucial that our employees are properly trained, and we break down some of the barriers that stop people from being employed if it’s perceived to fall into the ‘too difficult category’, she concluded

IoH CEO Robert Richardson FIH is enthusiastic about where the Forum may take the IoH and the industry: “Establishing the IoH Future Forum, is the logical next step in our diversity and inclusion strategy. We genuinely want to hear from our members and non-members about their stories so we can aim to accommodate and eradicate some of the issues that face this part of our society. I am looking forward to seeing the outcomes from the Forum as they begin their work. Our hospitality family embraces change, and I see the IoH Future Forum as a change-maker.”

The forum would be delighted to hear about personal experiences about these issues,. You can get in touch and share your stories with members of the IoH Future Forum on LinkedIn:

• Chair – Kelly-Marie Staunton MIH, BA (Hons) MA (Master of Arts) & LLM (Master of Laws) LinkedIn Joint Vice-Chair ) LinkedIn
• Joint Vice-Chair – Fiona Jarvis LinkedIn
• Joint Vice-Chair Dr Maria Gebbels MIH LinkedIn
• Sean Wheeler BEM FIH LinkedIn
• Paul Gilley FIH & IoH Supervisory Board Member LinkedIn
• Gabrielle Le Roux LinkedIn
• Gregory Hall MIH LinkedIn
• Elizabeth Mistry LinkedIn
• James Clark MIH LinkedIn
• Robert Richardson FIH LinkedIn