Zoe Hands, Hotel Sales Leader at Leeds Marriott, has recently celebrated 25 years working within the company.
In an era where staff turnover has never been higher, spending a quarter of a century working for one business is an achievement to be celebrated. This milestone is one that Zoe Hands, Hotel Sales Leader at Leeds Marriott, achieved recently, though she isn’t alone in her loyalty to Marriott: “I’m the ninth member of staff at this hotel to reach 25 years’ service. Marriott is just a really great employer and does look after its staff.”
While she does have 25 years’ service with Marriott, her tenure at the hotel chain has seen her work at several different sites in a myriad of different positions: “I started as a Room Service Supervisor at Leeds Marriott in 1999. My roles have all been quite operational. I’ve worked 10 different roles throughout my career. After I worked in Room Service, I was promoted to the Assistant Restaurant & Bar Manager. Then I moved over to Hollins Hall in Baildon, where I worked for seven years in a range of roles, including Conferencing and Banqueting Manager, Head Housekeeper and Senior Events Manager. Then I returned to Leeds Marriott. In the 25 years I’ve been working for Marriott I’ve also had four children, so four maternity leaves, and every time I’ve had maternity leave, I’ve come back in a different team leader position.”
Marriott has been accommodating as Zoe’s needs have changed over the years, allowing her to work flexible hours to accommodate childcare needs, which is part of what has inspired Zoe’s loyalty to the chain: “When you have a supportive employer, I think it makes you want to do more. It makes you loyal and it makes you want to work hard.”
Despite her long tenure, Zoe certainly hasn’t found her time at Marriott to be dull, as the variety of roles and venues has kept things interesting: “I think that if you’ve been somewhere for 25 years, people think: ‘That must be so boring. Imagine doing the same job for 25 years.’ But I haven’t done the same role for 25 years, it’s been extremely varied.
I think that sometimes people think that hospitality is just something that you do when you’re in-between jobs, or if you’re a student. But it’s a fantastic career! I’ve worked my way through all the different ranks, and I feel like I’ve had the most amazing career.”
Over her career, Zoe has been a part of many events, but one recent one was a particular highlight for her: “One of the biggest events I’ve been involved in happened in April this year, the Yorkshire Business Woman Awards dinner. That brought together businesswomen from all over the county for a massive awards dinner, and I was part of the committee that did all of the planning for it. I was actually nominated for the Networker of the Year Award and I won! That was a massive career highlight for me, because it was in my hotel and winning the award was really the icing on the cake.”
In recognition of her 25 years’ service, Zoe has been able to join a rather exclusive club with some amazing perks: “I got a fabulous 25-year pin badge, which has a real ruby in it. Now I am a member of the Marriott Quarter Century Club. This gives you access to Marriott hotels all over the world and you can stay for free. I recently took my children to Newcastle for two nights and we were given a really warm welcome. We feel like the world is our oyster now, me and the children will be going everywhere!”
The Leeds Marriott Hotel also recently marked a significant milestone, celebrating its 30th anniversary with an unforgettable event. This occasion was made even more special by a joint celebration for the first anniversary of the fabulous Gino D’Acampo restaurant, nestled within the hotel. Guests enjoyed a spectacular birthday party, honouring both the hotel’s rich history in Leeds and the restaurant’s successful debut year.