As the year draws to a close, we are delighted to share with you the latest staff news from our 11 hotels within the Brend Collection. It has been a year filled with exciting developments for our dedicated team members. From well-deserved promotions to joyous personal announcements.
We have featured only a small portion of staff news within the Brend Collection, for the latest staff news you can always check out our social media pages for each hotel, restaurant and spa.
PersonalAnnouncements
In late October, The Barnstaple Hotel bid a temporary farewell to their head receptionist, Marisa as she embarked on her maternity leave. We extend our heartfelt wishes as she embraces her new role as a mother.
The Devon Hotel are pleased to share that two of their beloved staff members, Sorrel and Courtney are soon to welcome new additions to their families in the coming year. We offer a heartfelt congratulations and look forward to their return in due course.
Saunton Sands Hotel has been buzzing with baby news recently. Nina, a valued member of the hotel's food and beverage team is anticipating the arrival of her first baby in 2024. Meanwhile, Emma, who is a spa attendant at Source Spa is expecting her first child in December 2023. The hotel's housekeeping team member Morgan welcomed her daughter in 2023. Additionally, Emma D who works in the hotel's administration celebrated the birth of her second child, a baby boy in November this year!
Apprenticeships
Brend Academy held its annual awards at The Park Hotel this year and celebrated the most recent Brend Academy Graduates. Among those collecting awards were Fran, Charmaine, and Jake at The Park Hotel, The Imperial Hotels Manager Dave, Receptionist Beth and Head Receptionist Kerry, and Ben Courtney and Aaron from the Devon Hotel. Congratulations on all your achievements and we look forward to seeing who's up there next year!
Millie recently became an apprentice and member of The Brend Academy when she joined The Carlyon Bay Hotel team. She joined The Carlyon right after completing her GCSE's this summer and is currently enrolled in a Food and Beverage Apprenticeship, where she works in both The Lounge Bar and Bay View Restaurant.
Emily Brailey from Saunton Sands Hotel has passed her apprenticeship Level 2 Reception course with a distinction in every area, and The Devon Hotel's Assistant Manager Leah has recently completed her apprenticeship in Business Administration. Well done to you both!
A SadFarewell
The Royal Duchy Hotel's Area Manager Mr John Allen will be departing from his role to pursue other passions in his life.
Mr Allen has played a very important role within the hotel for many years and his commitment and leadership will be greatly missed by both the staff and our guests. We extend our best wishes and express our gratitude for his years of dedicated service with us
Promotions & Change of Job Roles
Emily has been promoted to Head Receptionist at The Barnstaple Hotel and has taken on her new responsibilities with great enthusiasm. Josh rejoined the Leisure Club Team in 2022 and was shortly promoted to Assistant Leisure Club Manager in April this year. Thanks to his continued hard work he earned himself a well-deserved promotion to Leisure Club Manager in July. Adam, The Barnstaple Hotel's former Restaurant Supervisor has embarked on a new venture as a porter at the hotel.
At The Park Hotel Hannah and Marie were promoted to the esteemed positions of Hotel Supervisors. Additionally, Destiny has had a switch of departments, moving across from behind the bar to reception where she has settled in fantastically. In November, Jess received a well-deserved promotion from deputy housekeeper to head of housekeeping at The Park Hotel, marking a significant milestone in her career journey. In the same month, Paul transitioned into the position of Storeman. Alongside his 10-year tenure as a chef at The Park Hotel, he has also gained valuable experience working at The Barnstaple Hotel, The Royal Hotel and various roles in management, the restaurant, bar and as a kitchen porter.
Summer has embarked on a new role at The Carylon Bay Hotel where she has become a valued member of the reception team. This marks a refreshing change given her prior roles at The Bay View restaurant and Taste of Cornwall Brasserie.
Reece from The Devon Hotel has been part of the team for an impressive 9 years as a waiter and has been promoted to the role of Duty Manager. We would also like to Congratulate Mady for her recent appointment as Breakfast Supervisor at The Devon Hotel.
We are thrilled to announce that Lucy from The Royal & Fortescue Hotel has been promoted to Deputy Hotel Manager. Having started at The Imperial Hotel over 5 years ago she has worked across various departments and has gained extensive knowledge of the hotel. Another promotion in the management department at The Royal and Fortescue Hotel sees Restaurant Supervisor Josh who has been promoted to Assistant Manager.
Eddie at The Belmont Hotel has been promoted to Restaurant Supervisor after tremendous hard work and dedication. The Victoria Hotel has recently promoted Lyndsey Crawford to Junior Assistant Manager.
Upon Mr Allen's departure, Nuria will be taking on the role of General Manager, we can't wait to see her thrive in this pivotal position. Additionally, the hotel has welcomed Cheryl as the new Front of House manager, we look forward to seeing her excel in her new job role.
With much hard work and dedication, we are happy to announce Juste as the new Head Therapist to Source Spa and Wellness at Saunton Sands Hotel.
Having worked at Saunton Sands for many years, Kalam has been promoted to Bar Manager. Well done Kalam!
Sampath has worked within the housekeeping department at Saunton Sands Hotel for many years and is well deserving of his new promotion to Housekeeping Supervisor, We wish him every success in his new role.
Long Service Awards
Kim's 25-Year Service Award
The Royal & Fortescue Hotel recently celebrated Kim's 25-year Service Award. From the staff to the guests who visit regularly, whoever you speak to will tell you what a genuine pleasure it is to be around Kim, a wonderful lady with a heart of gold that helps make the hotel feel like a home from home for so many.
Mike's 20-Year Service Award
Starting as a Kitchen Porter, Mike worked his way up the ladder to now become the hotels Sous Chef where he works closely with Head Chef Saun Brayley in running The Imperial Hotels AA Rosette award-winning kitchen team.
Christopher's 49- Year Service
The Carlyon Bay celebrated the long service of Christopher, also known as Rodger. He holds the distinction of being one of the longest-serving employees at The Carlyon Bay Hotel, having started his journey in 1974. He remains unwaveringly proud of his contributions and maintains a passion for the meticulous care of the gold course, working in harmony with his fellow greenkeepers at The Carylon Bay Golf Club
