Hospitality recruiter and events organiser Paul Gilley FIH, former Trustee and current chair of our Nominations Committee, has completed the Flex Legends challenge, working a full shift at a different hotel every day for 30 days and raising over £10,000 (and counting) for Room to Reward.
Between 28 September and 27 October, Paul worked as a bellboy, concierge, footman, doorman, chef and breakfast server. Every shift was booked through the Indeed Flex app, like any other worker on the platform. He took no wage: host hotels donated the day’s pay, or a pledged sum, to the charity.
Room to Reward thanks the volunteers who keep Britain’s charities running with hotel breaks in unsold rooms donated by the hospitality industry.
Joe Langtree, Operations Director of Room to Reward, said:
“It’s difficult to put into words just how much this means to us. Paul has been an incredible supporter of R2R for a number of years, came up with this wonderful idea and it’s been amazing to see so many hotels jump in. Every penny raised makes a real difference to charities, communities and the Hidden Heroes who do so much for them. As well as the wonderful fundraising, a dozen new hotel partners have signed up to donate breaks. This enables another 30 breaks a year for inspirational volunteers. The impact of Paul’s incredible campaign will be felt for years to come.”
Hosts ranged from The Lanesborough and The Goring to the Royal Garden Hotel and the Royal National Hotel. At each one, Paul learned a new operation from scratch, often on the same day.
Paul said:
“Thirty days, I thought it would be easy. What really blew my mind is that it’s not just thirty different properties. It’s thirty different bits of software, thirty different bits of equipment. The one thing that stitches it all together is the people… I hope this journey has proved, not just to me but to the hotels I’ve worked for, and perhaps even you, that you can come and do a shift. We’ve still got it in us.”
Flex Legends, backed by Indeed Flex, celebrates the experienced professionals whose skill, instinct and calm under pressure set great service apart. Paul’s month made the case in practice: an experienced hand can walk into an unfamiliar operation and deliver from the first shift.
Novo Constare, CEO and co-founder of Indeed Flex, said:
“Thirty hotels, thirty different set-ups, and Paul delivered in every one. That’s what experience gets you, and it’s what the industry is short of. The people with years of craft behind them haven’t disappeared. We want to make sure they’re seen, valued and appreciated.”
Paul spoke about the challenge on BBC Radio London during the run. It closed with a celebration at St Ermin’s Hotel on 27 October for host hotels, donors and fellow legends.
Experienced hospitality professionals who want to pick up shifts can find out more here.
Donations are still coming in, and the page remains open here.
Be part of our well-respected network, get trusted advice and take a positive approach to your learning and development.
Your business card may take a moment to be generated. You can save your business card by right clicking -> save image as, or holding down on the image on your phone.
