Manchester born Sixty Eight People, a female-led, award-winning hospitality recruitment and training consultancy, have launched a brand-new office located in the central hub of Euston.
Founded by Abi Dunn, recognised as one of CODE Hospitality’s Women of the Year 2023 for her tireless campaigning for better hospitality standards, and super charged by Managing Director Charlotte Kemp, previously People Director of Manchester based hospitality group, Mission Mars, who has second-to-none industry knowledge and a wealth of contacts, these female trailblazers are continuing to revolutionise the industry, and the next stop is London.
Sixty-Eight People’s mission is to build the biggest hospitality network globally and use it as a force for good. Looking to dispel the negative recruitment stereotype, the consultancy prides itself on its values-driven but straight-talking approach to hiring and training. They put people before profit and offer a mould breaking service to both operators and job hunters. Evidenced by their world class user NPS of 96%.
As the hospitality staffing crisis dominates the news agenda in London and the UK, affecting businesses in real time nationwide, Dunn and Kemp felt it was time to bring their Northern hospitality expertise to London, and wake the sector up to many of its archaic recruitment and retention practices.
The agency has cemented a successful reputation in the North over the last four years, having supported established names such as Dishoom, Rare Restaurants, Melia Hotels, Everyman Cinemas and Junkyard Golf Club in their regional growth.
Nina Panayiodou, Ops Director of Dishoom commented “Sixty Eight feels like an extension of our own team, fully immersing themselves in our values and operations. Their attention to detail and constant willingness to adapt to our feedback made the overall recruitment process effortless! Extremely responsive team, day or night, with a genuine passion for finding the best people.”
Abi Dunn, Founder of Sixty Eight People – ‘London has been a long time coming for us. Its not a move we are taking lightly. We are coming to build a hospitality network and use it as a force for good, enhancing the existing sense of community the sector already has. The market is challenging right now, but the opportunity to support London job hunters and employers is massive. We want to bring some of our northern warrior spirit to the capital!’
Sixty Eight People’s London journey begins with a 5-strong team of experienced hospitality operators, headed by Dunn and Kemp, who will ensure a constant presence in the city to guide and coach the team. By doing this, the pair hope to use this time to discover and create new connections, growing network even further, getting under the skin of the city, to help meet and hire professionals who will help to replicate the strong reputation the agency has in the North.
The consultancy are also looking to bring some of their other unique divisions to London, all tackling a different challenge the industry faces. CLASSOF68, was set up 18 months ago to provide innovative leadership workshops, helping operators develop and retain a management workforce with significant leadership skill gaps. Sixty Eight International was set up following an 18 month pilot scheme to relocate outstanding kitchen talent from oversees to fill vacant roles in UK kitchens. It has been a gamechanger for the company and their clients.
‘’After working in the capital for the majority of my operational career, I know the London hospitality scene is unrivalled. Sixty Eight People isn’t your typical agency full of recruiters focused on commission – we’re a team of people who have previously held management roles in world-class hospitality operations. By drawing on our experiences, we bring to the capital a different recruitment experience for both candidates & clients that truly sets us apart. We are honest, authentic and we genuinely give a shit about finding brilliant people for people focused businesses.’ Charlotte Kemp, Managing Director of Sixty Eight People
