Langham Hotels International has been honoured with the 'MD 1st' accolade in the Hong Kong's government's inaugural Employees Retraining Board (ERB) Manpower Developer Award Scheme.

The success underlines the luxury hotel operator's ongoing commitment to total quality management and excellence.

The ERB Manpower Developer Award Scheme was designed to assess, promote and recognise best practice in organisations and their manpower development strategies. The criteria endorses a total quality management approach and includes promotion of a corporate culture based on manpower development, driving public awareness of on-the-job training, and promotion of lifelong learning and encouragement of employee participation.

Under the new scheme, Langham Hotels International and its three hotels in Hong Kong – The Langham, Langham Place and Eaton underwent a rigorous independently-audited assessment to become the only hotel group in the city to be honoured. The scheme recognised the group's outstanding performance in manpower development with the permanent title of "MD 1st". The prestigious accolade identifies Langham Hotels International as one of the first to forge a strategic partnership with the ERB.

Brett Butcher, Chief Executive Officer of Langham Hotels International said: "Hospitality is a manpower intensive business which means we need to attract, develop and retain a lot of exceptional talent to deliver the service our guests expect."

"Under our group's Total Quality Management, we send a very clear message about our commitment to our people and their careers. They are the cornerstone of our success," he explained.

"Our colleagues are laying a foundation that will grow our brand footprint and ultimately contribute towards driving the company's economic, social and environmental sustainability. We're delighted to be honoured with "MD 1st" which recognises we give our professionals the edge they need to face the challenges and developments in today's world of hospitality," he said.

Langham Hotels International is the first hotel operator to achieve the "MD 1st" status amongst the 80 companies recognised by the ERB Manpower Award Scheme and designated "MD 1st".