Double graduation for Compass stars

Compass colleagues, Briony Twidle, commercial sales director at Excel London and Claire McHardy, general manager at EICC Nourish have graduated from the award-winning WiHTL & Diversity in Retail Women in Leadership course.

WiHTL & Diversity in Retail is the only Collaboration Community dedicated to advancing inclusion in the Hospitality, Travel, Leisure, and Retail sectors. This comprehensive, cross-industry training programme is designed to provide a series of experiences and learning opportunities to support career progression for high potential women leaders in the UK&I Retail industry.

Both graduates were nominated by Jane Byrd, managing director at Compass Cymru, who was named on the 2024 Role Models for Inclusion in Hospitality, Travel, Leisure and Retail Index, produced by WiHTL & Diversity in Retail, in partnership with The MBS Group.

Commenting on her experience, Claire said:

“The highlight of the course was all the wonderful speakers that we heard from. Words from Emma Dinnis, CEO of Cote Hospitality really resonated with me - be authentically yourself and don't have regrets.

“One of the most fulfilling parts was meeting my mentor, Sophie Hackforth-Jones and having her guidance, experience and outside perspective to help and support growing my skills. I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to take this course, thank you Jane Byrd for nominating me. I'm excited to take all I've learnt and share it with my team at EICC Nourish and Levy.”

Briony said:

“I was honoured to be nominated by Jane Byrd to take part in this year's WiHTL & Diversity in Retail Women in Leadership course.

“One of the key highlights of the course for me were the Role Model Conversations. Hearing the personal career journeys of so many successful women who have made it to the top was truly inspirational, especially as they really opened up about the personal struggles and challenges they experienced along the way and how they overcame them.

“Having the opportunity to connect with so many talented women from across the hospitality, travel, leisure, and retail industries has given me new perspectives and an invaluable network of support for the future.”