Starwood Hotels (Sheraton Hotel Group)

“We are extremely satisfied with our experience with Bowles and their experiential approach and believe that no other development centre reflects Starwood’s core values of playing as a team and going the extra step as well as they do.” Starwood Hotels EAME

About the Starwood Hotel programmes

We have been designing and delivering development programmes for Starwood Hotels since 1999. Our relationship with them is one that has flourished due to our commitment to incorporating the organisation’s values into each programme and their belief in the use of Experiential Learning to explore aspects of leadership and management.

The objectives of the programmes

Our work with Starwood Hotels is varied and we have worked with a number of teams covering development areas such as :

  • Focusing on Change management,
  • Cohesion & leadership – Sheraton Park Lane,
  • Senior team development  – Sheraton Skyline staff (Heathrow and Gatwick),
  • Strategic management – Sheraton Belgravia.

In 1999 we ran the first Vita Futura Graduate fast-track residential module where Sheraton Group selected their up and coming management trainees from across the UK and Europe and sent them to us for a 2 day Leadership Development programme.  This programme has grown in stature over the years and we have delivered the programme for up to 24 graduates from across the group’s European, African and Middle-Eastern operation.

“the purpose of this graduate management program is to help young talents develop the skills they will need to be tomorrow’s Starwood leaders. While being a great opportunity for bonding and developing a strong team identity, Bowles’ outdoor activities all have a common goal to push these young adults out of their comfort zone.  Challenging themselves and overcoming their limits is in fact key to their development both as individuals and professionals and has proven to be an essential trait of successful leaders. We are extremely satisfied with our experience with Bowles and their experiential approach and believe that no other development centre reflects Starwood’s core values of playing as a team and going the extra step as well as they do.” Yiannis Batsis, Staffing & Employer Relations Manager, Starwood Hotels EAME

We have also designed and delivered a number of Senior Management Courses for Group Management Teams from across Europe (Area and Country Managers, General Managers, Departmental Heads, Senior Directors) and have used MBTI and other diagnostic models to emphasise specific themes.