Tell us a little more about yourself and your career to date.
My first job in hotels was an internship at the age of 19 with Hilton. After a few months, I was hooked! For the next year, I was a Sales Executive, looking after eight hotels selling their conference and events space and contracting groups. I learnt an incredible amount. However, I missed meeting customers face to face. It was then that I started my proactive sales journey. Over the next four years, I learned how to work with a wide range of different segments from weddings to business travellers and increased my confidence as a salesperson. I moved from Executive to Sales Manager and then Senior Sales Manager. It was at the age of 24, I secured my first Director of Sales position, the youngest person to achieve that position within Hilton in London. I’m now a year into my second Director of Sales position at The Waldorf Hilton and I’m absolutely loving it. It was the first Hilton hotel I’d ever walked into 10 years prior and I’d always wanted to work there. I have a fantastic team and really enjoy supporting them on their own hospitality journey whilst creating memorable experiences for our guests. A big shout out to Hilton as well who have provided me with so much development, opportunity and support to help me succeed!
Congratulations on winning your Acorn Award 2023. How did you feel when you won?
I was absolutely delighted and incredibly proud. I am humbled to have won some fantastic awards during my career with Hilton so was really pleased to be recognised in this way with such a prestigious industry award. It felt like a fitting way to celebrate my 10th year working in the hospitality industry.
For those who may not know, what is an Acorn?
The Acorn Awards, also known as the 30 under 30 recognises rising stars in the hospitality industry. Winners have been nominated by their fellow colleagues and have demonstrated passion and talent throughout their career in hospitality. It was amazing to hear about everyone’s journeys at this year’s awards and inspiring to see what everyone has achieved at such a young age.
What do you feel contributed towards you becoming a 2023 Acorn winner?
I feel that my career journey is a great example of how you can succeed in hospitality and work your way up through the ranks. I have delivered positive results and change in all the roles that I’ve secured. Through creativity and ambition, I have built strong relationships and connections with both colleagues and customers. I would like to think that one of the main contributions is my passion for mentoring and developing young people in hospitality after it had such a strong impact on my own career.
Why say #imin to the IoH
The Institute of Hospitality provides a fantastic community and network across our industry. We all work across different sectors and in a range of companies but have one shared goal of delivering exceptional hospitality. The Institute is a great way of connecting us all together whether it be through networking events to insightful training opportunities.
What advice would you give to someone considering joining the Hospitality Industry?
Do it! Everyone can find a job suited to them in the Hospitality Industry. Make sure you build a strong network as every day is different and you never know when you will need someone else’s expertise and support. Don’t be afraid to take risks and throw yourself out of your comfort zone, you will learn so much more about yourself. I have made some incredible friends, been exposed to beautiful cultures and had the opportunity to travel to some incredible places.
What’s the weirdest/most wonderful/worst thing to happen to you during your career?
I can’t think of anything that was the worst, and as for weirdest, there are too many stories, every day in hospitality is weird and wonderful! My career achievements have been wonderful, the biggest, other than winning an Acorn Award of course, was probably back when I was a Sales Manager at Hilton Canary Wharf. I won a Hilton Circle of Excellence Award which is our commercial global recognition award based on my achievements during my time in that role. It was for Corporate Sales Person of the Year in EMEA. I got to take my best friend with me to Aruba to receive the award where we got to experience Hilton Hospitality at its best.
This is the first of three interviews with Acorn Winners who are IoH Members. Read part one with Elisia Guglielmucci MIH here and part two with Katariina Reissaar MIH here.
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