Hilton UK & Ireland has become the only hospitality and service company in the UK to be included in the 'FT Best Workplaces UK 2005' list. In an award ceremony at Vinopolis on Tuesday 26 April, Hilton UK & Ireland was named at 39th place in the list of the UK's top 50 employers, alongside companies such as American Express, Carphone Warehouse and Lehman Brothers.

The annual FT Best Workplace UK list is compiled by the Great Place to Work Institute and is open to any organisation with at least 50 UK based employees. The organisations are assessed by an impartial employee survey of maximum 250 employees asked about their views, backed up by a two-part management questionnaire.

Wolfgang M. Neumann, Area President for Hilton UK & Ireland, was thrilled with the achievement: "I am immensely proud that Hilton UK & Ireland has been recognised in this exclusive list of top companies. With over 13,000 full time colleagues in the UK, Hilton is committed to providing a stimulating and rewarding workplace and offers top class training and development programmes for all team members. We are delighted that this has been recognised by the Great Place to Work Institute."

The judges' comments mentioned, in particular, the award-winning Hilton University, which offers free tailored e-learning courses for all colleagues, as well as the Hilton Exchange, which sees all General Managers and departmental representatives discussing actions within the hotels. Further comments included the strong approach to disability awareness throughout the company.

-ends-

Notes to editor: �Hilton UK & Ireland currently operates 76 hotels with over 15,000 bedrooms throughout the country.

�Hilton International (HI), an operating division of the UK based Hilton Group plc, owns the rights to the Hilton brand name throughout the world, with the exception of the USA, where the Hilton brand is owned and managed by Hilton Hotels Corporation (HHC).

�Hilton International operates 403 hotels, with some 261 branded Hilton and 142 under the mid-market Scandic brand. Under a joint venture agreement, Hilton International and the North American based Hilton Hotels Corporation (HHC) share responsibility for the Conrad brand, which includes 17 hotels in 12 countries. A global marketing alliance between Hilton International and Hilton Hotels Corporation extends the number of hotels operated by both companies worldwide to over 2,700 - over 500 of which are branded Hilton.

�Hilton Worldwide Resorts is an upscale, global resort network with a collection of 57 resorts, located in exotic places, making up the world's largest global choice. Currently, 36 resorts are operated by Hilton International - including four all-inclusive Coral by Hilton resorts, 18 by Hilton Hotels Corporation and three by Conrad.

�Hilton International Grand Vacations Company presently operates four resorts in Scotland and Egypt, comprising 271 time-ownership units.

�Hilton International employs over 71,000 staff in 80 countries.

�Committed to doing business in a responsible way, Hilton International's aim is to bring a positive benefit to the societies in which it operates through high quality services, economic growth, environmental protection, community involvement and employment.

�For further information on Hilton International, please visit our corporate website, at: www.hiltongroup.com

For further media information:

�Hilton UK & Ireland Press Office Maria Myklebust/Andy Collingridge +44 (0) 20 7856 8471- tel +44 (0) 20 7856 8665 - fax press.office@hilton.com www.hiltongroup.com