Lydia's Story

I fell into hospitality at the age of 16, from going out for dinner one evening at my local with my family to walking out with a trial shift the next day and not looking back. Having the variety made my journey in hospitality different every day, from cleaning rooms, cooking food, and shaking the cocktails.

For 9 years I worked operationally front of house and loved it, with busy restaurants, large functions and even meeting/greeting. Straight after university, I joined Q in 2016 at Stratford Manor and was lucky enough to gain a place on the Graduate Scheme. I was able to travel around different hotels, learn from others across the group and take the knowledge/ skills learnt back to my role. After completing the graduate scheme, I wanted to try the world of HR. Although prior to Q, I worked for Whitbread Hotels, I had basic knowledge of HR and wanted to learn and develop new skills to see where this career ladder would take me. I transferred from Stratford Manor across to Cheltenham Chase and now Centrally for the People Team. In the last 6 years working for the company, I have achieved my L3 CIPD in HR Management and I’m on the way to completing my L5.

I will always draw back to the operational side every now and then, and will jump onto a bar to serve if needed but the world of HR has been my new venture for nearly 4 years now and onto many more.

I love meeting new people and the variety of my job. Hospitality was the industry I jumped into at a young age, and it helped me build confidence and create my character.

Behind the badge

After a couple of years of stop starts, I finally got onto the property ladder in 2021!