Press Releases

AMBASSADOR THEATRE GROUP WINS EXCELLENCE IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AWARD

Issued : 22 April 2005

The Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) has won the Excellence in Workforce Development Award in the ‘over 250 employees’ category at the Learning and Skills Council London Regional Awards Ceremony.

The award is in recognition of ATG’s commitment to achieving its core business objectives, through the on-going development of its 1,600-strong workforce. It was presented to Hugh Hales, ATG’s Group Head of Human Resources, by ITV news anchorman Sir Trevor MacDonald.

Since it was established in 1992, ATG has created and developed its own range of in-house courses tailored to the unique culture and working patterns of the theatre industry, giving employees the opportunity to develop the skills required for the company’s ongoing success, while offering staff transferable skills for the future. ATG strives to be an Employer of Choice through the operation of Best Practice management, the provision of development opportunities for all employees and the recruitment and promotion of enthusiastic and dedicated staff. In particular, ATG aims to ensure that employees are given the confidence to offer the best possible customer experience.

ATG has recently completed the first successful pilot of a Certificate in Management programme for 14 London theatre managers, in conjunction with Kensington & Chelsea College. Equivalent to an NVQ Level 3, the course challenged employees to turn theory into practice, while developing time-management skills and the discipline of home/work study.

Health & Safety has always been a priority for ATG and in 2003, the company appointed its own dedicated Health & Safety Manager, David Metz, to concentrate on this area. A range of accredited courses are now available to staff including the CIEH Foundation Certificate in Health & Safety, Certificate in Food Hygiene and the HSE-accredited First Aid at Work Certificate.

The 110 staff at the ATG Ticket Centre, based at the New Wimbledon Theatre, have individual training requirements and, as a result, the Centre has employed its own Training and Service Manager, Sandra Wellstead, to focus on ticket and merchandise selling techniques and IT skills. The initial full training for staff has been increased wherever possible from one to two weeks, so that customers receive a faster and better informed service when booking tickets. The ATG Ticket Centre deals with ticket sales for all 11 ATG West End theatres as well as the regional venues in Brighton, Bromley, Richmond, Stoke and Wimbledon.

The training opportunities within ATG extend to the technical and back of house departments. In 2004, ATG ran two rigging courses and one carpentry course with external training providers, as well as teaming up with technical colleges offering City & Guilds technical qualifications. ATG employees are currently enrolled in City & Guilds Entertainment & Theatre Electricians and Electrical Installation courses.

The Ambassador Theatre Group is currently the second largest theatre group in the West End and separately, in the UK regions, with a total of 24 venues including, most recently, the Theatre Royal Glasgow. It is also one of the country’s foremost theatre producers and has been behind some highly successful and innovative co-productions in Britain and internationally, including Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker!, Noises Off and The Rocky Horror Show. ATG is also producing Michael Grandage’s new production of Guys and Dolls (with Clear Channel Entertainment) starring Ewan McGregor and Jane Krakowski, due to open at the Piccadilly Theatre this June.

David Blyth, Operations Director, ATG:
“We are all proud to have won this Award. We believe our success over the past 15 years is down to the high quality productions we offer and our dedicated workforce who provide the best possible customer experience throughout the company. We are delighted that their hard work and commitment has been recognised by the Learning & Skills London Council.”

ENDS
For further information, please contact John Chittenden, Group Press Officer on 020 8454 7919 or johnchittenden@theambassadors.com

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