Hilton HR manager awarded MBE for making hospitality employment accessible

Esther Brittan, HR Operations Manager UK&I, Hilton, has been awarded an MBE on the 2025 New Year Honours List, for volunteering and charity services to young people, removing workplace barriers and making hospitality employment more accessible.

In her role, Esther is responsible for managing Hilton’s partnerships with organisations dedicated to supporting those furthest from the jobs market, helping individuals facing barriers to employment to find a meaningful job. These include Down’s Syndrome Association’s WorkFit programme, Aurora Foxes, Only A Pavement Away and Springboard.

Reflecting on the honour of the award Esther Brittan MBE, HR operations manager UK&I, Hilton said: “It’s a privilege to work for a company that gives everyone a chance to showcase their value and thrive at work. Hilton places huge emphasis on the importance of celebrating diversity and embracing inclusion, and building an inclusive culture is a true team effort. This includes our hotel general managers, HR and hotel teams, as well as incredible organisations like Aurora Foxes, WorkFit, Springboard and Only A Pavement Away, who are at the forefront of driving opportunities for all. We have achieved so much together, and I look forward to helping more people facing barriers to employment to find their place in our incredible industry in the coming years.”

Alison Thwaite, Employment Development Manager, WorkFit (Down’s Syndrome Association) said of the associations partnership with Hilton and Esther said: “Esther has been incredibly supportive of our work to secure employment for people who have Down’s syndrome, recognising that everyone has something to bring to the workplace and understanding that a diverse workforce is a strong workforce. By supporting people who have Down’s syndrome into paid work, often in the first opportunity of this kind that they have had, Esther is helping to create a lasting positive impact in terms of that person’s independence, mental health and wellbeing, their sense of community and their professional development.”

Stephen Cassidy, senior vice president and managing director, UK&I, Hilton said of the news: “Building a truly inclusive workplace takes time and commitment, and Esther is a shining example of our ambition in action, galvanising our general managers and supporting their teams every step of the way to ensure everyone is given the chance to succeed. Whether it’s that all-important first job for a young person, a much-needed second chance, or a role for someone who never thought they’d be able to find meaningful employment, her impact is far-reaching, and this recognition is richly deserved.”

Denis Sheehan, MD, Accessible Hospitality Alliance was delighted to receive this news earlier today adding comment by saying: “The progress being made at Hilton is truly life changing for a great many people and demonstrates to our industry what is possible when we reflect on the true meaning of hospitality. The awarding of an MBE to Esther Brittan for leading our industry in making employment in hospitality more accessible is totally deserved.

“The lesson here for our industry is not just one of being mindful of inclusivity, but how being inclusive accessible employers will finally end the industry’s perpetual problem of shortages of people and skills.”

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