About
HTS
HTS was borne out of a pioneering relationship between Hereward College and hospitality giant Whitbread
Whitbread runs more than 900 hotels in the UK and Germany and restaurant chains including Beefeater and Brewers Fayre.
Whitbread has set itself an ambitious target of creating… 100 supported internship placements per year.
It is the national delivery partner for Whitbread’s Thrive initiative, part of the company’s Force for Good sustainability programme which champions inclusivity across the organisation under the banner ‘no barrier to entry and no limits to ambition’.
Through Thrive, launched in November 2023, Whitbread has set itself an ambitious target of creating 100 supported internship placements per year.
The programme has evolved from Whitbread’s investment in three-bedroom mini Premier Inn facilities at Hereward College in Coventry, opened in 2019, and at Derwen College in Oswestry.
The company is planning to open similar training hotels in other locations in the UK to support its internship programme and has selected HTS to manage both the process of identifying suitable partners and quality assurance.
HTS also creates and delivers the internal training and development needed to support the national programme.
We are currently advising other major employers who are also planning to launch supported internship schemes, as well as local authorities and colleges with SEND students looking for a specialist service recruiting for supported internships.
HTS is led by Paul Cook, who has more than 25 years’ experience in further education, including over a decade as a specialist college principal and CEO. He is also Director of Employment on the Board of Natspec, the membership association for organisations which offer specialist provision for students with learning difficulties and disabilities.
Paul’s pioneering work in SEND was recognised with an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2022 for services to young people with disabilities.
Meet our Board
Paul Cook
Managing Director
With more than 25 years’ experience in the further education sector, including a decade as a college principal and CEO, Paul Cook received an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2022 for services to young people with special education needs and disabilities.
Paul also represents the interests and aspirations of thousands of learners with SEND as the director for employment for Natspec, an organisation that represents over 100 specialist education and training providers.
As managing director of HTS, Paul will oversee the national rollout of Whitbread’s pioneering Thrive programme and guide other employers, colleges and local authorities as they embark on supported internship initiatives which will transform the employment landscape for young people with SEND and bring huge organisational benefits.
Miranda Coles
Director
Miranda has been involved in the further education sector for over 20 years and has had responsibility for business support and capital project functions throughout her career.
As Vice Principal Finance and Resources at Hereward College, she is the executive lead for finance, funding, human resources and training, examinations and the college’s management information systems.
Jennifer Rohde
Director
Jenny Rohde has worked as a director in growth businesses and in business coaching roles for many years and has a passion for organisations that create value for society.
As an experienced executive board member and with 10 years’ experience as a trustee, Jenny brings an understanding and experience of building sustainable and effective business relationships as well as growing commercial income streams.
