Staffing concerns are an opportunity to think about removing barriers

MCA’s latest FD Leaders event on 17 January featured partner Holly Addison discussing the talent gap in hospitality and ways in which finance leaders can help resolve it.

Along with fellow speaker John Webber, head of rating at Colliers, Addison spoke on some of the primary concerns facing hospitality, one of which is both the labour and skills shortage. She shared insights from her work with the sector as well as other consumer-led industries at Leathwaite, and Balance the Board, a mentoring programme of which Addison is a co-founder.

According to the Office for National Statistics, there are more job vacancies than unemployed people and vacancies in the hospitality sector have risen sharply since the beginning of the pandemic, compounded by the creation of new jobs and “talent leakage” to other sectors, according to Addison.

“Brexit has caused the issue to be exposed, but it was arguably already there,” she added. “Some hospitality businesses may operate outdated staffing models as well.”

Other sectors have become more meritocratic and reduced barriers to entry, leading to more industries competing for the same talent pool. Changing staffing models to add flexibility, through job sharing, multiskilling, and hybrid working where possible, can allow hospitality to become more competitive, Addison argued.

Engagement, reward, and a sense of purpose is also more important than ever for employees, who are increasingly gravitating towards those organisations that align with their values.

Addison further emphasised the importance of being inclusive to people of all abilities and from all communities, regardless of identity, background, or circumstance.

This is also an opportunity to think about removing barriers, being more proactive, and ensuring recruitment processes are accessible to all,” she continued. “I urge you to look at [diverse populations] as a rich source of talent at all levels

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