M I C H A E L’ S P R O J E C T S Michael actively supports a number of initiatives and charities. These are causes that are close to his heart for many reasons and which he passionately believes in.
CALVERT TRUST Enables people with physical, learning, behavioural and sensory disabilities to experience challenging and enjoyable outdoor activities. Michael says: ‘It’s a great charity that gives children with disabilities a rare sense of freedom.’
EXETER CHIEFS The Exeter Foundation is a ‘civic trust’ that works with 17 local charities within the community of Devon. Michael says: ‘In our six years we’ve raised more than £1million for the local charities.’
FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN
(l to r) David Lewis, Head Gardener, Michael Caines MBE and Andrew Baird, Executive Head Chef, take a tour of Longueville Manor’s kitchen garden.
Michael is patron of this specialist adoption charitable trust based in the South West. Michael says: ‘This is a charity close to my heart as I myself am adopted and have benefited from growing up in a loving family. Adoption does work and gives a huge amount of benefit for the adoptee and parent alike.’
Why is Relais & Châteaux so important to you?
ONE FOR THE BOYS ‘First and foremost, Relais & Châteaux is a collection of some of the world’s most outstanding hotels in locations that most of us would die to be at. From a marketing perspective, you are amongst an elite few and the quality of the experience is driven through what we call the Five ‘C’s - Charm, Cuisine, Courtesy, Calm and Character.
A charity that aims to raise awareness about cancers that affect men. Founded by Sofia Davis with Samuel L Jackson as its Chairman. Michael says: ‘More men die from cancer as they discover it too late and don’t talk about their health issues. We are at risk and we need to talk about it.’
‘It’s not just about making money; it’s about creating an experience for our guests and going above and beyond. We believe in a culture and we work to create destination experiences, which are individually different but we all share the same values in terms of quality and execution of product. It’s nice because you feel like you’re part of a family of like-minded operators and owners and at the same time we celebrate our differences.
FARMS FOR CITY CHILDREN A charity that offers urban children a unique opportunity to live and work together on a real farm in the heart of the countryside. Michael says: ‘It teaches them social skills and also helps them understand where their food comes from. The charity does a huge amount for deprived young people.’
MICHAEL CAINES ACADEMY ‘We work together to promote best practice. We think about the responsibilities we have to the landscape that we represent and the environment that we want to safeguard. We take environmental issues and put them at the heart of our properties, whether that be recycling, elimination of plastic, or celebrating World Oceans Day. If we take these responsibilities seriously at the top of the industry, then I think that it permeates down into other sectors.’ »
The Michael Caines Academy at Exeter College aims to nurture the region’s future hospitality generation. Michael says: ‘Our industry is going to be challenged in the future, so it’s about sourcing and finding the next generation and growing that talent.’
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