Women Make Their Presence Felt at Castle Howard, York

Added: (Wed Jan 11 2006)

Pressbox (Press Release) - WOMEN MAKE THEIR PRESENCE FELT AT CASTLE HOWARD

Women are playing an ever more important role in business these days and nowhere is this reflected more than at award winning Castle Howard near York. Almost 70% of staff employed at Castle Howard today are women which may surprise many with a more traditional perception of this historic estate. In fact, it is interesting to note that the percentage split in the 18th century was almost similar, but that the roles were considerably different!

Castle Howard is nevertheless a complex organisation and The Hon Simon Howard, Chairman of Castle Howard Estate Ltd, finds that it is now women who are driving areas of growth within the business as the Estate invests and diversifies. In addition, much of the workforce, from guides to gardeners, from accountants to administrative staff, from security staff to building services is also made up of women.

“We have made significant investments in the last few years particularly in the leisure, tourism and retail sectors of our business” says Mr Howard “These are areas where women have always been strongly represented and there can be no doubt that the Estate has benefited greatly from adopting a forward thinking approach to equal opportunities. Women are now represented at every level in the business and have contributed an enormous amount to the achievements here in recent years”

The development of the farm shop, plant centre, chocolate shop and courtyard café within the 18th century stable courtyard have contributed to the growth in employee numbers. Castle Howard now employs almost 100 permanent and 150 seasonal members of staff, making it one of the regions larger employers and a vital contributor to the local economy.

Working at Castle Howard is particularly popular for working mums looking for part-time work due to flexible working hours and as an equal opportunity employer, Castle Howard welcomes applications from everyone. With the continuing success of these businesses it is anticipated that the number of people working at Castle Howard will continue to grow.

On Wednesday 18th and Thursday19th January Castle Howard is holding recruitment events in the Stable Courtyard where people can come along and find out more about seasonal vacancies in the Stable Courtyard Shops and Café. On both evenings, refreshments will be served from 5pm in the Courtyard Café and an introduction to the Castle Howard Estate will be given at 5.30pm.

For more information about the recruitment evenings or working at Castle Howard please do not hesitate to call 01653 648444 or email recruitment@castlehoward.co.uk.


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Issued by: Nicole Hingley
Date: 09 January 2006
Telephone: 01653 648625
Email: nhingley@castlehoward.co.uk / press@castlehoward.co.uk

Notes to the Editor
· In October 2005 Castle Howard was awarded the Yorkshire Tourist Board’s White Rose Award for ‘Large Visitor Attraction 2005’ and ‘Taste of Yorkshire 2005’.
· Profit from tourism, retail, farming, forestry, property and banqueting ensures that Castle Howard Estate is self-sustaining and supports the on-going programme of conservation and restoration across the estate.
· Castle Howard welcomes almost 200,000 visitors each year.
· The Gardens, Stable Courtyard Shops, Café and Plant Centre are open every day with free admission and car parking. The House opens 12th March until 5th November 2006.
· The 10,000 acre Castle Howard Estate sits within the Howardian Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.