PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Are leaders born or are they made? At Beaches Turks and Caicos, the answer is clear – leaders are developed through deliberate investment, mentorship and opportunity. The resort, recognized as the Caribbean’s premier all-inclusive family destination, has long been committed to hiring locally and cultivating the next generation of hospitality leaders in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The resort’s people-first approach ensures that leadership is not just a title but a culture grounded in growth, training and empowerment. To achieve this, Beaches Turks and Caicos employs a multi-faceted strategy to develop its workforce, creating pathways from entry-level positions to senior management.

One of the key drivers of this vision is the Sandals Corporate University (SCU) which offers industry-recognized certification courses across various hospitality disciplines. These courses, provided free of charge, enable team members to gain academic and professional credentials that enhance both their career mobility and their confidence.

Sandals Corporate University also partners with regional and international universities to provide team members with access to academic advancement and exchange opportunities. Through these partnerships, team members can pursue further studies while they apply their knowledge within a world-class resort environment.

Within the resort itself, the learning and development department plays an important role in day-to-day training. Led by Learning and Development Manager Phildreka Mayham, the department conducts workshops on transformational leadership, customer service excellence, financial literacy and brand management. This ensures that employees are not only technically skilled but also prepared for personal growth and leadership roles.

Another avenue for development is the Management Training Programme where rising leaders are cross-trained in multiple departments and resorts across the Sandals and Beaches chain. This gives them hands-on exposure to different leadership styles and operational strategies, while they build their confidence to lead in diverse environments.

In addition, the resort encourages job shadowing which allows aspiring leaders to learn directly from experienced managers across various fields. This real-time mentorship has proven invaluable, particularly for individuals transitioning from entry-level roles into supervisory and management positions.

Managing Director James McAnally highlighted the resort’s commitment to developing local leaders, “behind every successful organization are exceptional leaders. At Beaches Turks and Caicos, we believe in creating those leaders by providing our people with the tools, training and opportunities to grow. Many of our managers began their journey in entry-level roles and have risen through hard work and mentorship. That is a legacy we are proud to continue.”

A living example of this is Tanya Swann, who rose from director of sales, groups and conventions, to her current role as executive assistant manager. With over two decades of experience across multiple departments, Swann credits her growth to the mentorship, training and opportunities offered by Beaches.

“My journey has been nothing short of dynamic. I have been privileged to serve in many areas, supported by excellent training and leadership. Each role prepared me for the next. The experiences I’ve gained at Beaches have equipped me not just to succeed personally but to mentor others stepping into leadership roles.”

For Beaches Turks and Caicos, leadership development is more than a corporate initiative; it is a commitment to the community. The resort equips local talent with skills, credentials and real-world leadership experience to ensure that the Turks and Caicos Islanders are at the forefront of the country’s growing hospitality industry.

As the resort continues to expand, Beaches Turks and Caicos remains resolute in its mission to invest in people, elevate local talent and create leaders whose impact will extend far beyond the resort’s walls.

Montego Bay, St. James: Sandals Corporate University (SCU), the learning and development hub for Sandals and Beaches Resorts team members, continues to set the gold standard for excellence in AI implementation and training strategy as they celebrate their recent double win in the 2025 Brandon Hall Group^TM HCM Excellence Awards®.

Collaborating with Canadian-based corporate training company, Flint Learning Solutions, the SCU was awarded two gold medals for projects submitted to the categories: Best Use of AI in Business Impact for elevating guest experiences with AI training and Best Learning in the Flow of Work for improving hospitality with on-the-job activities.

The awarding organisation, The Brandon Hall Group™, has, for over 30 years empowered and certified business excellence globally and through the HCM Excellence Awards®, which recognises organisations that have implemented best practices for initiatives in learning and development, talent acquisition and management, leadership development, human resources, sales performance, diversity, equity and inclusion and the future of work.

Highlighting the achievement, SCU’s Senior Corporate Director, Dr. Luz Longsworth stated, “the Hospitality industry requires a flexible and fast paced approach to on-the-job training and the SCU is excited about the possibilities for expanding the use of AI in its training model to enhance our team members’ learning experience and to ultimately continue providing our Sandals and Beaches Resorts guests with consistently excellent service.”

Lenise White, Sandals Resorts’ measurement and evaluation specialist also shared her enthusiasm about the win.

“The double gold win from the Brandon Hall Group™ is a tremendous recognition of the impact the SCU has made in transforming hospitality learning and service delivery. It signifies that our efforts to integrate AI into training are not only innovative but also delivering real business impact.”

The partnership between SCU and Flint has, since its application, redefined on the job learning, demonstrating how innovative technology and training can ease real-world business challenges in the hospitality industry. The programme establishes a new standard for hospitality talent development and has given way to the integration of personalised, AI-powered learning, geared towards enhancing team member capabilities and elevating the guest experience without disrupting daily operations.

“We’re incredibly proud of our partnership with Sandals Corporate University and the exceptional results we’ve achieved together. SCU’s leadership in embracing innovative approaches to talent development has been instrumental in creating a programme that empowered employees to create the exceptional, memorable experiences that define the Sandals brand and keep guests returning year after year,” shared Flint’s Chief Executive Officer, James Glover.

The 2025 award entries were evaluated by a panel of veteran, independent senior industry experts, Brandon Hall Group analysts and executives based on their alignment to business needs and environment, programme design, functionality and delivery, innovation and creativity among other criteria.

“This year’s Excellence Award winners exemplify the transformative power of strategic human capital management. Through their innovative approaches to talent development and employee engagement, these organizations have not only achieved remarkable business outcomes but have also redefined what it means to create truly people-centric workplaces,” remarked Brandon Hall Group Chief Operating Officer and HCM Excellence Awards® Programme Leader, Rachel Cooke.

The win follows another exceptional achievement in AI-powered training after the SCU copped the bronze award for Best Corporate University in Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) Implementations from the Global CCU, earlier this year.

Photo Captions:

Header: A group of proud team members from Sandals South Coast team pose for a quick photo op after receiving their training completion certificates.

1st insert: Sandals Ochi Beach Resort General Manager, Carol Bourke (left) presents Learning and Development Manager, Joy Bernard with her certificate of recognition for the role that she played in administering the training initiative.

2nd insert: Ghislain Boutoulle, hotel manager at Beaches Turks and Caicos (right) beams as he congratulates bar department team member, Andrew Clarke on his successful course completion.

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Wednesday, 10 September 2025: The TCI Boat Club has once again demonstrated its commitment to community support by donating $7,000 to the SNAP Centre, raised through its highly successful 11th Annual Poker Run.

This generous contribution highlights the club’s dedication to supporting the vital services the SNAP Centre provides to children with special needs and their families in Providenciales. Last year’s donation assisted with much-needed upgrades at the Centre, and this year’s contribution will further strengthen the delivery of critical programmes and services for students.

“Our Annual Poker Run is more than just a fun event on the water; it’s a way for our community to come together and make a tangible difference. The SNAP Centre does invaluable work, and we are honoured to contribute and partner with their mission,” said Ms. Jenekah Stubbs of the TCI Boat Club.

Director of the Special Education Needs Services (SENS) Department, Dr. Anya Malcolm-Gibbs expressed gratitude on behalf of the centre: “We are truly thankful for the TCI Boat Club’s continued generosity. This donation will directly support our efforts to provide a safe, supportive, and empowering learning environment for our students. Partnerships like these remind us that when the community comes together, children with special needs are given the opportunity to thrive.”

The Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Social Services, Hon. Rachel M. Taylor, also commended the donation, stating: “The SNAP Centre plays a crucial role in our education system, offering specialised services that make a real difference in the lives of children and families. I applaud the TCI Boat Club for their ongoing commitment to education and inclusion, and for demonstrating the power of community in supporting our nation’s future.”

The SNAP Centre remains dedicated to providing essential support, education, and resources for children with special needs.

Donations such as this ensure the Centre can continue to expand services and create meaningful opportunities for students and their families.