Spotlight interview | Three Acorn Winners and one set of questions, part three

Last but most certainly not least, we have the third of our interviews with this year’s Acorn Award winners. Step forward Kelly-Marie Staunton MIH, Chair of the IoH Future Forum.

Tell us a little more about yourself and your career to date.

I have worked in the hospitality industry for over ten years, working around the world in China, the USA and the UK in various management roles from Guest Relations Manager and Front Office Manager to Head of Spa and Leisure. In addition to this, from an early age I attained BA (hons) International Hospitality Management, LLM (Master of Laws) and MA (North Korean Studies) whilst working in the hospitality industry. In my spare time I do continuous Ultra Marathons (I will be taking on the Lakeland100 with 22,500 feet of climb in the Lake District on 28 July).

My most recent role in the hospitality industry was opening a brand new £250,000 million pound spa refurbishment involving the recruitment of a new team, and creating new standards, and procedures. I am currently working with a new start up recruitment company in Manchester.

I am the Chair of the IoH Future Forum. A committee set up to address disability, equality, diversity, and inclusion issues across the hospitality industry.

Congratulations on winning your Acorn Award 2023. How did you feel when you won?

When finding out I had won the acorn award I was delighted! I had always wanted to win an acorn award for the last few years after seeing many industry professionals winning one. At the winner’s weekend in Southampton, I felt humbled and excited to be part of such a prestigious event amongst 29 other ’30 under 30′ winners.

For those who may not know, what is an Acorn?

The Acorn Award ’30 under 30′ recognises the brightest prospects in the hospitality industry. The winners have made an impression or inspired others in the sector. The awards recognises the flair and passion of the most talented 30 individuals in the industry.

What do you feel contributed towards you becoming a 2023 Acorn winner?

As well as having worked in the hospitality industry globally for over ten years, I have been an active member of the Institute of Hospitality and Hospitality Action for a few years, mentoring people and raising money for both charities. Currently I am the Chair of the IoH’s Future Forum committee which focuses and supports diversity and inclusion within the industry. Over the last few years in my career, I have worked through the pandemic, mentoring graduates through their careers in the industry and have been part of multiple industry awards including The Cateys. In addition to this, in 2019 I won IoH London’s Aspiring Managers Awards, which recognises future talent and rising managers in the industry.

Why say #imin to the IoH

The IoH is one of the most wonderful institutes to be part of and has a diverse range of people across the industry. I joined the IoH to build my network with people in the industry, upon doing this I was able to build my career further. The IoH has a lot of industry professionals and managers willing to support and mentor your career in the industry. I’d definitely recommend others should join the IoH if they wish to build their confidence and career.

What advice would you give to someone considering joining the Hospitality Industry?

Just enjoy every day! The hospitality industry is a unique industry that offers the opportunity to socialise with people daily and provides the opportunity to have further career growth with multiple promotion opportunities available.

What’s the weirdest/most wonderful/worst thing to happen to you during your career? 

The worst part of my career was during the pandemic when most hospitality professionals were informed that their job roles might be at risk. However, despite this, I was lucky enough to be able to keep my job (Guest Relations Manager at the time) and worked throughout the pandemic during lock down. This involved being completely isolated on site in the hotel whilst all businesses were closed. During this time, I was able to develop skills in various departments including finance, sales, housekeeping and revenue. So turned the situation into a positive.

The most wonderful thing thing to happen in my career was winning the IoH London Aspiring Manager’s Award in 2019. As a result of winning the award, I was promoted and then given the opportunity to be placed on a fast track general manager scheme.

The weirdest was when I was working in guest relations in a Midlands hotel. A VIP guest who had flown over from Dubai requested breast milk in their room. They did not have a baby with them! They were very insistent that they wouldn’t book unless we met their requirement, and as they were a VIP guest, we spent the day tracking some down.

This is the third 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.