Person of the Week

Ben Southall
British Adventurer and winner of Tourism Queensland's World's Best Job competition

Ben was selected from a pool of 34,000 applicants for the AUD$150,000, six-month Hamilton Island caretaker job starting on July 1st.

Source: theage.com.au

Quote of the Week

Gordon Brown is "a decent man, a highly principled man. He is not in politics for himself, but because he has a genuine vision for the way he thinks society should be organised. The fact that he's wrong is a separate matter."

Norman Tebbit, Tory peer in Total Politics magazine

Facts of the week

Top Executives lead revolt on Heathrow third runway

This interesting story high-lights the challenges of speaking out against a project which is arguably good for business and the economy, when you are a leading player in business.

• Roy Gardiner, Chairman of Compass is one of several leaders who have spoken out against the proposals for a third runway at Heathrow airport, arguing that both the rationale put forward and the environmental impact should be key considerations.
• The question appears to be whether the right focus would be to restructure existing resources at Heathrow before pushing ahead with more capacity.
• According to Russell Chambers, Credit Suisse adviser "It's possible to be pro-transport, pro-aviation and yet, at the same time, pro responsible citizenship."

Source: timesonline.co.uk

The Tips regulations: £100 million of additional cost for industry?

This week it was confirmed that new regulations would come into effect from 1 October 2009 which prevent employers and employees from paying National Insurance Contributions on less than £5.73 per hour.

• Should employers be allowed to top up staff wage payments to National Minimum Wage levels with tips?
• Though it may seem clear cut, the issue is not as straight-forward as may first appear.
• Ministers acknowledge in the consultation documents that the change will cost industry almost £100 million per year.

Source: vantisplc

Article of the week

Did you know that En Passant produces a bi-monthly magazine? Each week we will publish an online article from a previous issue. Check out this week's article on Robyn Jones, Chief Executive Charlton House Catering Services. It's entitled "Coat of many colours."

If you would like to find out more, or are interested in subscribing click here.

The One and All Foundation
Hotel General Managers, Discussion Forum

Friday May 29th, 8.30 to 11.00am
etc Venues - Avonmouth, London, SE1

This forum will bring Hotel General Managers together in order to explore the aims of One and All and give you an opportunity to network with your peers. Contact Jennifer to book your place: Jennifer@oneandall.org.uk