Chris Gamm, CEO of Springboard, shared how he’s championing careers in hospitality through strategic leadership, industry collaboration, and social impact. From supporting over 5,000 people into work each year to launching a bold mission to deliver 1 million new hospitality skills by 2030, he’s building a future-ready talent pipeline—rooted in inclusion, innovation, and purpose.
Q – Can you tell us about your role as the CEO of Springboard and what a typical day looks like for you?
A – As CEO of Springboard, my role is to drive our strategy, expand our reach and ensure we’re making a tangible impact on people’s lives and the hospitality industry. No two days are the same – one day, I might be meeting with industry leaders to strengthen partnerships and the next, I’m engaging with our team and programme participants to see firsthand how our initiatives are transforming careers. A key part of my role is also championing the value of hospitality as a career choice, advocating for greater support for skills development and securing funding to keep our work sustainable and impactful.
Chris Gamm
CEO, Springboard
Q – How does Springboard work to bridge the gap between job seekers and the hotel industry?
A – We provide tailored training, mentoring and work placements to equip job seekers with the skills and confidence they need to secure hospitality roles. Our approach is industry-led – we work closely with hotels and other hospitality businesses to ensure our programmes align with their needs, making our candidates job-ready from day one. Each year, we support more than 5,000 people into sustainable hospitality jobs, directly addressing workforce shortages and skills gaps.
Q – What are the biggest challenges currently facing unemployed individuals seeking careers in hospitality, and how does Springboard help overcome them?
A – Many job seekers face barriers such as lack of experience, confidence or access to training. Others may struggle with personal circumstances, financial constraints or misconceptions about hospitality careers. At Springboard, we offer free-to-access training, financial support where needed and one-on-one mentoring to break down these barriers. Our success is reflected in the 74% of programme graduates who move into employment in hospitality, demonstrating the effectiveness of our approach.
Q – How is Springboard addressing the skills gap created by the pandemic and helping individuals transition back into the workforce?
A – The pandemic created a significant disruption to hospitality’s workforce, with many skilled professionals leaving the sector. We’ve responded by intensifying our efforts to retrain individuals, offering accelerated learning programmes and working with businesses to create structured return-to-work pathways. We have just launched a new strategy: to deliver 1m new hospitality skills by 2030. It is designed to address long-term skills shortages, equip people with the core skills they need for a successful career in the industry, ensuring hospitality remains an attractive and accessible career choice.
Q – How does Springboard collaborate with businesses and industry leaders to futureproof the talent pipeline?
A – We work hand-in-hand with employers to design training programmes that address both immediate hiring needs and long-term skills gaps. Businesses collaborate with us by sponsoring training courses, providing work placements, recruiting our trainees and engaging staff as ambassadors in career talks and mock interviews. This ensures that we’re developing a pipeline of skilled, job-ready individuals who meet the evolving needs of the industry.
Q – With the rise of digitalisation in hospitality, how is Springboard integrating technology-focused training into its skill development programmes?
A – Our free online platform, CareerScope, provides job seekers with career guidance, CV-building tools and training resources. Additionally, through the CareerScope Hospitality Support Hub, we provide tailored support for hospitality professionals, particularly in light of recent industry challenges such as rising closures and job displacement. This initiative, delivered in partnership with UK Hospitality, Hospitality Action, Institute of Hospitality and Savoy Educational Trust, offers resources and signposting for people to top up their employability skills, search for jobs, safeguard their mental wellbeing and receive financial and redundancy advice. As well as employability training, we also ensure beneficiaries are confident with the latest technology and digital trends.
Q – How does Springboard ensure that its programmes remain relevant and aligned with the evolving needs of the hotel industry?
A – We have a continuous feedback loop with our employer partners, regularly assessing industry trends and adjusting our curriculum accordingly. Our employer advisory boards and partnerships with hospitality leaders ensure we stay ahead of workforce demands. We also consult with past participants to refine our offerings, ensuring our training remains effective and practical. The fact that 76% of our trainees are still in their jobs after 12 months is testament to this, as well as the support they receive in work.
Q – What initiatives has Springboard introduced to promote diversity and inclusion within the hotel workforce?
A – Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our work. We actively support individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, including refugees, people with disabilities and those from low-income communities. Our programmes are designed to be accessible and we work closely with employers to foster inclusive hiring practices.
Q – How do you measure the impact of Springboard’s programmes, and what key metrics do you focus on?
A – We measure our success by tracking employment outcomes, retention rates and the long-term career progression of our participants. In the past year, we have:
Supported 5,164 people into work in hospitality
Engaged 40,837 pupils through our careers and education programmes, including 14,127 through Springboard FutureChef
Trained 2,760 young and disadvantaged people through our employability programmes, helping give them soft skills, building their confidence, hospitality-related training, one-to-one mentoring and coaching and support finding a job
74% of these trainees were supported into hospitality jobs, and 76% of our trainees stay in their roles for more than 12 months
Supported 168,578 people with specialist careers information guidance, promoting the hospitality, leisure and tourism industry as a great place to work. This included 124,981 users of the CareerScope hospitality careers hub, supported by 2,585 industry ambassadors
Beyond statistics, we also assess the personal impact – improved confidence, skills development and overall job satisfaction.
Q – How do you foresee the future of the hospitality skills landscape evolving, and what role will Springboard play in shaping a sustainable talent pipeline?
A – The future of hospitality will require a blend of technical skills, adaptability and exceptional customer service. As the industry evolves, we’ll continue to innovate, ensuring our training keeps pace with new trends, from sustainability practices to digital advancements. With an ambitious goal to support 5,000 people into hospitality jobs each year, Springboard will play a crucial role in ensuring a steady flow of skilled professionals who are ready to thrive in the industry for years to come.
Q – How does your team contribute to Springboard’s success, and what do they say about working at Springboard?
Wayne Sattaur, Springboard Programme Manager
“I love helping our trainees see their value. Many have faced setbacks and feel rejected, but we show them their potential. I also enjoy developing their teamwork skills, which are crucial in every industry – from hospitality and retail to banking. Seeing their confidence grow and the bonds they form on our courses is inspiring. These skills stay with them throughout their careers, opening doors to new opportunities.”
Selina Boshorin, Springboard Programme Manager
“Promoting hospitality careers in schools and colleges gives young people access to the right information and different career pathways. For those already passionate about hospitality, I enjoy nurturing and growing their talent. I also love equipping schools with tools and resources to better support their students. By creating strong partnerships with local businesses, we help shape future opportunities and ensure young people are set up for success.”
Bhavna Patel, Springboard Head of Business Development
“At Springboard, we take pride in connecting our partners with job-ready candidates while opening doors for underrepresented groups. Businesses benefit from diverse talent, meeting recruitment needs while fulfilling ESG commitments. It’s incredibly rewarding to see our partnerships create life-changing opportunities for individuals and long-term benefits for the industry. Having come from the industry myself, and being part of this journey – where talent and opportunity meet – is what makes working at Springboard so special.”
Mandan Safdari, Springboard Finance Director
“I’m proud to work for Springboard, helping to drive our mission forward. Supporting the delivery team to achieve our targets is incredibly fulfilling. One of the best parts of my role is working alongside passionate colleagues, all dedicated to making a real difference. Knowing our work directly helps people who need it most is what makes Springboard such a rewarding place to be.”