How does Springboard champion the hospitality industry?

In conversation with Chris Gamm, CEO of Springboard.

Q1. Please start by telling us a little bit about yourself and your journey to becoming CEO of Springboard?

My career began in journalism, editing convenience retail titles ‘Retail Express’ and ‘Retail Newsagent’ and later serving as publisher of ‘Better Wholesaling’ magazine. I then became editor of ‘The Caterer’, a role that gave me a deep appreciation of hospitality, its creativity, dynamism and the huge opportunities it offers people.

My connection with Bidfood goes back to those days, covering the sector and reporting on its suppliers. Today, Bidfood is one of Springboard’s most valued supporters, with Tim Adams on our Board of Trustees, Britta Ashu acting as part of our marketing committee, and Naz Haq on our fundraising committee. They support us in so many ways, from the Bidfood Golf Day and supporting the Virtual Race to their involvement in Springboard FutureChef, the Springboard Awards for Excellence and more.

When the opportunity arose to lead Springboard, I saw the chance to combine my passion for hospitality with my belief in the power of social mobility, helping people unlock potential while supporting an industry I care deeply about.

Q2. What would you say are the key benefits Springboard delivers to the hospitality industry?

Hospitality is one of the UK’s most vital industries, but it faces constant challenges with skills gaps, recruitment and retention. Springboard helps tackle these issues head-on by:

• Creating career-ready talent: Each year, we support around 5,000 people into hospitality roles, many of whom stay and thrive in the industry.
• Futureproofing the workforce: By 2030, our pledge is to deliver one million new hospitality skills across the UK, directly addressing the skills gap and ensuring businesses have motivated, job-ready recruits.
• Reducing turnover: 81% of Springboard graduates remain in their jobs for over a year, compared to an industry average turnover rate of almost 38%.
• Diversifying teams: We bring in talent from a broad range of backgrounds, adding fresh perspectives and helping businesses better reflect and serve their customers.

We deliver a skilled, motivated and passionate pipeline of talent, while also providing measurable business benefits for our partners.

Q3. And in turn, how does the charity deliver for the people you set out to support? Have any particular individual stories stood out to you?

We work with people who may be unemployed, disadvantaged or facing barriers to work, and give them the skills, confidence and experience to start meaningful, long-term careers.
Every programme is about more than technical training. We build resilience, motivation, and confidence. That combination is often life-changing.

For example, Lauren joined us feeling lost in her career path. Through her Springboard training she uncovered hidden talents and discovered a passion for hospitality she hadn’t realised she had. She now describes her career as exciting, rewarding and full of possibility.

Another trainee, Saffiyah, came to us at a time when her anxiety was holding her back. She credits her Springboard course with helping her out of a difficult place, giving her the self-belief to enter the workplace.

These stories are at the heart of Springboard. Every statistic, whether it’s the 200,000 skills we deliver annually or the 5,000 people we help into jobs, is made up of thousands of personal journeys like Lauren’s and Saffiyah’s. You can read more inspiring stories from Springboard graduates here.

Q4. What does working in our industry, and specifically for Springboard, mean to you personally?

Hospitality has always been more than just a job to me. It’s an industry built on creativity, teamwork, and human connection. To be able to lead an organisation that not only celebrates those values, but also changes lives through them, is incredibly fulfilling.

Q5. How can readers of this blog support your efforts – whether as a one-off action or as a more ongoing partnership?

There are lots of ways to get involved:

• Help us raise our profile: Share our work with your customers, networks and teams so more people understand the impact of Springboard.
• Fundraise with us: Make us your charity of the year, add £1 to the bill or to each product sold, host a fundraising activity or support one of our campaigns such as our online Christmas Raffle.
• Celebrate excellence: Enter or attend our Awards for Excellence and showcase the very best our industry has to offer.
• Partner with us long-term: From sponsoring a programme to supporting skills training or offering placements, businesses can make a tangible difference to both their teams and the people we support.

Even a small action can have a big ripple effect, and we always welcome conversations about deeper, longer-term partnerships.

Q6. Looking ahead, is there anything you’d like to emphasise about Springboard’s future?

I’d highlight our ambitious pledge. By 2030, we will deliver one million new hospitality skills across the UK. That’s not just a number, it represents one million opportunities for people to thrive, and one million steps towards futureproofing the industry.
Springboard is unique in being 100% dedicated to hospitality. We’re not just filling roles; we’re igniting passion, unlocking potential, and ensuring this industry continues to thrive for generations to come.

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