In a landmark moment for talent development in the Maldives, Aitken Spence Hotels inaugurated the Heritance Ascend initiative, marking the beginning of a long-term commitment to shaping the next generation of hospitality leaders in the Maldives.                       

The very first Heritance Ascend - Assessment Centre was hosted at Adaaran Select Hudhuran-fushi, bringing together 18 nominated supervisors from across the sector, evaluated and inspired by a panel of senior assessors and mentors. The event was graced by Badhiya Gunathilake, Chief Operating Officer and Sector Head of Aitken Spence Resorts Maldives, and Patrick Pereira, Vice President – Learning & Development – Aitken Spence Hotels.

Heritance Ascend is more than a program—it is a structured succession development framework. The initiative embodies the group's vision to cultivate internal talent across all properties in Sri Lanka, Maldives, Oman and India.                                                                                               

From its five-tiered structure—Pathway, Advance, Elevate, Elite, and Apex—Ascend paves a progressive roadmap from entry-level associate to General Manager. The Advance module specifically targets supervisors eager to rise to executive leadership roles, offering a transformative 18-month journey of learning, reflection, and skill-building.

Quoting from the Aitken Spence corporate anthem, "When you dream the impossible dream, when you need a great partner and friend, we will guide you right up to the end…", this initiative stands as a living testament to that promise. Aitken Spence doesn’t just talk about potential—it builds it.

The launch was more than an event—it was the ignition of a movement towards excellence, culture-driven leadership, and a legacy of brilliance.