WHERE one Swallow usually makes a summer this time it made a Marriott and heralded the start of the BAM busters.

Explanation: The Swallow Hotel, York, became part of the Marriott International Hotel group with a York Marriott branding in June - and that meant a complete change of both practice and culture for staff.

The BAM busters are a specially-appointed team drawn from each department dedicated to Becoming A Marriott.

Their success and the massive training programme, included a five-day leadership seminar for 15 members of the management team, including general manager Chris Wilson, monthly communication meetings with 110 employees who between them received 1,500 hours of training and a new programme of performance and career development reviews.

It all adds up to a strong portfolio for the hotel's entry in the Progress Through People category.