Interpub director receives MBE
Interpub human resources director Franca Knowles has been awarded an honorary MBE for services to hospitality training.
Knowles was born in Holland in 1952 and came to England in 1988 when she started working at Interpub. She founded the Footsteps Training Programme in 1998.
The training programme is based around a personal log book and a 10-point training prgramme. It has become an invaluable tool for small, independent companies without a dedicated HR department.
Culture Secretary, Andy Burnham said: "Franca Knowles' dedication to providing staff in her company with the best possible training is a great example of how investment in people reaps benefits for everyone in a company.
"By providing Interpub plc with this firm foundation of training, Franca is helping to build a knowledgeable, skilled and enthusiastic workforce who will not only contribute to their company but to the industry as a whole.
"Added to this her amazing dedication to raising money for charity and it could not be more fitting that she is receiving this honorary MBE."
Mrs Knowles said: "I am thrilled to have been awarded this honour by Her Majesty the Queen. I consider the work I have done to be very important for the young employees in my company, and I am delighted to have been recognised for it.
"The new talent coming into the company is the future of the industry as a whole and I take such pleasure in seeing these young people achieve so much and thrive in their chosen industry. To be honoured in this way for the work I believe in is the icing on the cake."
