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Franca Knowles awarded Honorary MBE for services to hospitality training

032/09
1 April 2009

Franca Knowles, Human Resources Director of Interpub plc and founder of the Footsteps Training Programme, was today awarded an honorary MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for services to Hospitality Training, presented to her by Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe (who also has responsibility in Government for Licensing).

Mrs Knowles was born in Holland in 1952 and came to England in 1988.  She started working at Interpub (IP) that same year, when it was a small, multiple-pub business based in London and the South East.  It was through her insight and determination that investment in staff training was seen to be the way forward for the company, with the foundation of the Footsteps Training Programme (FTP) that she designed and developed in 1998.

The training programme is based around a personal log book and ten point training plan.  They are simple, focused and transportable training programmes which equip the student with the skills they will need to progress within the company.  FTP has also become an invaluable training tool for small, independent companies who do not have a dedicated HR function.

In recognition of her achievements, Culture Secretary,  Andy Burnham said:

“Franca Knowles’ dedication to providing staff in her company with the best possible training is a great example of how investment in people reaps benefits for everyone in a company.  By providing Interpub plc with this firm foundation of training, Franca is helping to build a knowledgeable, skilled and enthusiastic workforce who will not only contribute to their company but to the industry as a whole.  Added to this her amazing dedication to raising money for charity and it could not be more fitting that she is receiving this honorary MBE.”

Mrs Knowles said:
“I am thrilled to have been awarded this honour by Her Majesty the Queen.  I consider the work I have done to be very important for the young employees in my company, and I am delighted to have been recognised for it.  The new talent coming into the company is the future of the industry as a whole and I take such pleasure in seeing these young people achieve so much and thrive in their chosen industry.  To be honoured in this way for the work I believe in is the icing on the cake.”  

NOTES FOR EDITORS

  1. Individuals who are not UK citizens or citizens of Commonwealth countries of which The Queen is Head of State are eligible to be considered for honorary awards for their services to the UK.  It is not customary for The Queen to present honorary awards.  The insignia of honorary awards for candidates resident in the UK are normally presented by the Government minister appropriate to the service rendered.
  2. Franca Knowles has won several other awards for her Footsteps Training Programme including a National Innkeeping Training Award (including a special award for Innovation), a British Institute of Innkeeping award and several Investors in People Accreditations.
  3. Mrs Knowles has also taken part in a wide range of fundraising initiatives, including a bi-annual Ten Bridge Walk in London. Over the past several years she has raised over £100,000 for charities including The Rona Trust (a sailing charity), Meningitis Trust, National Hospitality for Neurology and Neurosurgery and the Glasgow Royal Infirmary Breast Cancer Unit.

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