By Angela Green: Ex Kitchen Porter lands hotel group’s longest-serving employee award.
A boutique hotel group has recognised the outstanding service of loyal team members in its inaugural ‘A Celebration of Our People’ awards.
The Eden Hotel Collection recognised 50 people from across the group who have been with the company for five years or more through a series of long-service awards.
The cohort have racked up more than 530 years of service between them, with the group’s longest-serving employee – Martin Phillips, who is part of the housekeeping team at Mallory Court Hotel and Spa in Leamington Spa – celebrating 35 years in October.
The event was held at Brockencote Hall Hotel in Kidderminster and winners in the long-service awards were presented with a certificate and a gift voucher.
Martin, 65, said: “The awards were kept a surprise, so it was a huge shock when I won the award for longest serving member of staff.
“I started at Mallory Court in 1988 when it was a 10-bed hotel, beginning on pot wash and moving to portering and then housekeeping, where I have been for more than 20 years.
“The hotel has changed a lot over the years but has been very kind to me and I have met some lovely people along the way – it’s become a home-from-home.
“We have a great team who work together and always have a laugh, whilst making people feel welcome.
“I am hoping to do 40 years and then I will bow out gracefully with lots of happy memories.”
The event was designed to celebrate several key elements, including long service, Employees of the Year, staff who have completed qualifications, and a Spirit of Eden award for a member of staff who embodies Eden’s values of ‘heart, team, honest and spirit’.
Lisa Redding, Group People Director, said: “This event was the culmination of so many positive changes in our people approach and culture over the last few years.
“I watched with huge pride as employees gathered together for photos, dressed up for the occasion, and shared great memories and celebratory hugs and cheers.
“To bring everyone together for an event like this was truly special, and I’m so pleased to say it surpassed my expectations. Well done to all of our winners.”
Mark Chambers, Group Managing Director, added: “Our people are at the foundation of everything we do, so it gives us great pride to share and celebrate their successes.
“This is very much the first of what will be an annual event and we look forward to recognising the successes of staff for years to come.”
The boutique Eden Hotel Collection employs more than 425 people and its hotels include The Arden Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon, The Greenway Hotel and Spa in Cheltenham, Brockencote Hall Hotel in Kidderminster, Mallory Court Hotel and Spa in Leamington, and Bovey Castle in Devon.
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