Anthony's Story

I was previously a Prison Officer and was looking for a new career path when a friend of mine suggested I’d be well suited for hospitality and their hotel was looking for Duty Managers.

Considering I’d never pulled a pint before I was nervous but by god it was one of the best decisions I’d made. I started off as a duty manager getting to know all aspects of the hotel from housekeeping, F.O.H rotering ordering and the list went on within a few years they sent me to their sister hotel to improve the standards.

Apart from a short stint in retail during Covid, I’ve roughly been in hospitality now for around 6 years when you add it all up.

What I love about hospitality is the drive to succeed on a daily basis, it pushes you beyond what is normal. I love the staff I work with. The moment it's busy, the camaraderie, the feeling of making a customer feel special and their worries are at least gone for a short while. The moment they walk through the door to the moment they leave I get such a buzz from it! I love training my staff and watching them grow, improve and push themselves as Individuals.

Behind the badge

“I’ve just completed a 30-mile bike ride raising so far £448 for British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal and hopefully doubling in the next few weeks. I don’t really bike often I just thought I wanted to do something for the families that have lost their homes, their freedom, children etc and I have a bike and determined. I had bundles of support from Jane, Catrin and David from Dunston Hall who I am very grateful to.

My hobby is my car, I’m massive Ford fan attending Silverstone every other year and I’m currently working on a track car to eventually take on at Silverstone.

I’ve also raised money for Marie Curie before by skydiving which was amazing as they looked after my grandad when he passed away of Cancer.”