MEDIA RELEASE
Date: 10 March 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hospitality ITO gains new talent
The Chairperson of HSI today announced the appointment of two experienced hospitality leaders to the ITO’s Board,
providing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the ongoing development of New Zealand’s hospitality training needs
Chairperson Carol Stigley said that Maryann Geddes of Skyline Enterprises and Craig Macfarlane of Macfarlanes Group
would bring hands-on industry experience and new depth to the Board’s existing strong team.
“They will be a great boost to us in achieving HSI’s goals of developing and promoting work-based training
qualifications,” she said. “We’re about growing talent in New Zealand hospitality and we welcome leaders from the sector
who can help take us forward in that task.”
Mrs Geddes is Operations Manager for Skyline Enterprises Ltd – an organisation that invests heavily in staff training
and was winner for the past two years of HSI’s Supreme Award for Excellence in Training and Innovation.
Mrs Geddes said that training was an integral function of Skyline’s business, beginning with the National Certificate in
Customer Service during induction training, and carrying through a range of national certificates to management level,
depending on employees’ career paths.
This experience enables her to contribute perspective across issues ranging from high-level management training through
to front-end service, but particularly in supervisory management training.
“Maryann is a seasoned operator who’s very used to hiring and training staff, and is particularly strong in training and
moderation,” Ms Stigley said.
“She was brought onto the Board for her personnel training experience, and her expertise will particularly help us to
strengthen managerial training qualifications.”
Mr Macfarlane is the Board’s Food and Beverage representative, and runs Macfarlanes Group – a highly progressive
hospitality company in Taranaki.
Through its locally-based businesses including Macfarlanes Caffe, Macfarlanes Catering & Events, Elixir Café, Arborio Restaurant and Bar, Daily News Café, Café Govett Brewster, Airspresso, Macfarlanes
Espresso Bar and Ozone Coffee Company, Macfarlanes Group inspires its staff to be the best they can by focusing on
quality and attention to detail.
Mr Macfarlane’s knowledge of small and medium business and regional issues will also help the Board to address key
training needs for both groups throughout the country.
“Craig brings us an SME and entrepreneurial perspective and is very much committed to hospitality training,” Ms Stigley
said.
“He’ll bring his own style and background to the role, and also represents the small/medium business sector that we’re
keen to get closer to. We’re delighted that he’s from Taranaki and has a good understanding of both people management
and Gen-Y,” Ms Stigley said.
HSI has a busy year ahead, with the Board aiming for stronger completion rates for the Modern Apprentice programme,
expansion of its in-development catering qualification framework, strengthening qualifications for managerial training,
and getting more training underway among SMEs. Ten positions have just been created to provide greater support for the
SME sector throughout the country.
HSI’s Chief Executive, Steve Hanrahan, said the new Board members both demonstrated a strong commitment to training, and
would provide further insight into industry trends including migrant labour and the effects of Government policy on
labour supply.
“They bring a strong sense of stability and expertise that will help HSI to continue addressing training issues and
needs across the industry’s sectors and throughout the country,” Mr Hanrahan said.
ends