Member Article

Milton Keynes hotel deputy manager receives prestigious industry award

The deputy manager of a Milton Keynes hotel is celebrating after receiving a prestigious industry award.

Alexandra Brown, deputy manager at Campanile Hotel Milton Keynes in Penn Road, Bletchley, has been presented with an Acorn Award which recognises 30 of the hospitality industry’s most promising stars aged under 30.

The 26-year-old, who lives in Bletchley, received the accolade at an official prize giving lunch at the AA-rosette Foxhills Hotel in Surrey.

The annual awards, organised by leading hospitality magazine The Caterer, seek to highlight and celebrate the achievements of the industry’s 30 brightest prospects, with each winner nominated by their peers for outstanding ability in their field.

Alexandra, who joined Campanile Hotel Milton Keynes as a waitress in 2008, was commended for her progression within the hospitality industry as well as her dedication to increasing sales and improving customer satisfaction.

Alexandra said: “I was really surprised but at the same time extremely proud to be nominated for an Acorn Award. I was nominated by my managers Ashish Gupta and Juliet Hayes who were impressed by how much I had progressed.

“I started out at Campanile as a waitress when I was 19 and didn’t have any experience in the hospitality industry. After a couple of months I was promoted to receptionist.

“I then had to take some time off due to a back injury and when I returned it was at the height of the recession. I decided to get more involved in the sales initiatives and was eager to get out there and encourage sales to try to win more business for the hotel.

“I was later promoted to deputy manager and now work at both Campanile Milton Keynes and Campanile Northampton.

“Ashish is also the general manager at both hotels. He hired me and has been a fantastic mentor and has encouraged me to progress and develop.

“In 2014, Campanile UK launched a Sales Champion initiative and I was recently awarded Sales Champion of the Year which was really amazing.

“When I look back on the last seven years I realise how much experience I have gained. I was still a teenager when I joined Campanile and now I can pass on my skills and all that I have learnt to my team.

“It was an honour to be able to go back to the team and show them the award. They have all been a part of it and have really encouraged and supported me over the years.”

This year’s 30 Acorn Award winners come from a variety of sectors and departments and include hotel and HR managers, front-of-house trainers and head chefs from award-winning restaurants, luxury hotels and catering operations at sports stadia and events venues.

Ashish Gupta, general manager at Campanile Milton Keynes and Campanile Northampton, added: “We were delighted to find out that Alexandra was going to be recognised for her fantastic achievements and receive an Acorn Award.

“She has risen through the ranks with confidence and has been exceptional at helping to push sales and encourage the team to deliver the best possible service to our customers.

“She will now play an instrumental role within Campanile UK’s new ‘Stepping 4ward’ training initiative which will aim to ensure staff across all departments have the skills and knowledge to be able to deliver a high-quality customer experience.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .