Deborah heads back to where it all began for Dartington
Deborah Heather, general manager of Dartington Hall, has won a grant to attend an intensive two-week international hotel administration course at Cornell University in America, where the pioneering founders of The Dartington Hall Trust first met in 1922.
As part of The Dartington Hall Trust, Dartington Hall uniquely operates as a not-for-profit social enterprise, generating revenues for the Trust’s charitable programmes through its facilities as a leisure break destination and wedding and conference venue.
Deborah is attending Cornell School of Hospitality in June, exactly 80 years since Dorothy and Leonard Elmhirst were there prior to them buying the run down Dartington Hall estate, as the base for an experiment in rural generation.
Deborah intends to use the knowledge gained from Cornell, together with her many years experience in the sector, to increase Dartington Hall’s charitable revenues by further extending its hospitality offering.
“While income generation is important it must be done in an ethical and sustainable way,” said Deborah.
“Our plans therefore include developing ‘green’ eco-friendly buildings and taking on local apprentices who will be mentored and trained to help them get a foot on the career ladder.”
In recognition of its work, Dartington Hall was recently awarded the Sustainable Hospitality and Corporate Social Responsibility award in the Conde Nast Johansens 2012 Awards for Excellence.
The prestigious course, which will be attended by 46 people from 23 countries, is designed to ‘strengthen abilities as leaders and problem solvers and to enhance capacities to shape and implement strategic vision within the organisation’.